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Botwc Firsts

FAMU Alum Makes History As Vanderbilt’s First Black Woman Neurosurgeon Resident

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FAMU Alum Makes History As Vanderbilt’s First Black Woman Neurosurgeon Resident

She’s the first in the University’s 148-year-history! Dr. Tamia Potter is a Florida native and graduate of the illustrious Florida A&M University, Yahoo News reports. She majored in chemistry at FAMU before attending Case Western Reserve University in Ohio for medical school. Getting her career start as a nursing assistant when she was still a teen, Potter made invaluable relationships that would serve her well along the way. Now she has matched at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, making history as the University’s first Black woman neurosurgeon resident since their opening in 1874.  “My first job was a...

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Howard University Is the First HBCU to Win a Pentagon Contract and It's Worth $90M

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Howard University Is the First HBCU to Win a Pentagon Contract and It's Worth $90M

Will the real HU please stand up? Howard University was just awarded a $90 million-dollar military contract, TheGrio reports.    The U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense will be funding a university-affiliated research center (UARC), making Howard University the first HBCU to secure an award of this caliber. At the center, research will focus on “tactical autonomy that will aid in the transition of research into practical applications.” This center will also bring support to STEM programs.    Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick told the students and faculty who gathered with local government, members of Congress, the Air Force and Department of Defense staff for Monday’s...

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Meet The Owner Of The First Black-Owned Woman-Operated Barbershop In Omaha Nebraska

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Meet The Owner Of The First Black-Owned Woman-Operated Barbershop In Omaha Nebraska

It can’t be Women's History Month without some Black girl magic! Shannon “Boo” Jackson is an Omaha native that is well known in her town for giving back. After securing her barbers license almost ten years ago she’s made it her mission to care for the people in her community through her haircuts. Every year Jackson provides free back-to-school cuts for students and volunteers at the homeless shelter.  The 31-year-old opened Omaha’s first Black, woman-owned barbershop, Heavi Hitters, in 2019. Now the shop has grown and expanded to a new location on 65th and Maple. This barbershop caters to all types of beauty....

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Music Teacher Makes History As First Black Man To Become Colorado’s Teacher Of The Year

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Music Teacher Makes History As First Black Man To Become Colorado’s Teacher Of The Year

He was honored at the state Capitol! Jimmy Lee Day II is a veteran educator with more than 13 years of experience, CBS News reports. Since 2017, he has worked at East Middle School in Aurora, Colorado as the band director and instrumental music teacher. During his time, he has taken three struggling band programs and reconstructed them, earning multiple awards for his work and bringing home top ratings at district music festivals. For Day, his secret to being a successful educator is not a magic elixir, but a rather simple recipe, that consists of true connection with his students...

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Meet The Owner Of The First Beauty Supply In New Paltz, New York

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Meet The Owner Of The First Beauty Supply In New Paltz, New York

It took 40 years, but her dreams came true! This New Paltz, New York native just opened a shop near and dear to her heart, JBee Beauty Supply.  Meet Janice Butcher, a familiar face of New Paltz, NY, and a SUNY New Paltz alumna. As a college student in 1984, she had difficulties maintaining her hair, Butcher told New Paltz Oracle, “There was no place to get your hair braided, no place to purchase the hair, no place to purchase the products. So, I would have to go back to 125th Street, back to the city, every time I wanted...

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