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ABOUT HBCU EXPERIENCE – THE BOOK, Vol.1 

Your Story is Our Story

Co-edited by Black college alumni Dr. Tia Tyree and Christopher D. Cathcart, HBCU Experience – The Book, Vol. 1 celebrates the rich legacy and experiences of those who attended HBCUs. Further, with the debate still raging over the relevance and need for HBCUs in the new millennium, this collection of more than 60 essays showcases the unique journey of HBCU graduates, highlights the important need for these institutions and accentuates the overall benefits of having an HBCU education.

The groundbreaking anthology chronicles undergraduate realities such as dating and relationships, dorm living, road trips, pledging fraternities and sororities, student activism and leadership, athletics and much, much more.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a rich legacy in the United States and graduates of these institutions have made and continue to make major contributions to the history and climate of this country.

THE EDITORS OF VOL 1.

Tia and Chris

Foreword

Cong. Elijah Cummings

Introduction

Alissa Richardson

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TIA C.M. TYREE, PH.D

GRADUATE, MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY & HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Tia C. M. Tyree, Ph.D, is the Assistant Chair and Associate Professor at Howard University within the Department of Strategic, Legal and Management Communications. She teaches several graduate and undergraduate courses, including Introduction to Strategic Communications, Introduction to Public Relations; PR Writing II; PR Writing I; SR: Friends, Follower and Social Media; SR: Event Planning; CapComm Lab and Issues in Mass Communication Theory and Research. 

 

Her research interests include African American and female representations in the mass media, hip hop, rap, reality television, film and social media. She has published articles in several journals, including Women and Language, Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism, Howard Journal of Communications, and Journal of Black Studies. She is also co-editor of Social Media: Pedagogy and Practice and author of The Interesting and Incredibly Long History of American Public Relations. Prior to joining the academy, she worked for more than 12 years as a public relations professional for government, entertainment and for-profit entities. 

 

Dr. Tyree earned a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland; Masters of Arts in Publications Design from the University of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland and Ph.D. in Mass Communications and Media Studies from Howard University.

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CHRISTOPHER D. CATHCART

GRADUATE, HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Christopher Darren Cathcart is a published author; public relations, marketing and brand development expert; and a noted social entrepreneur. In 1995, Cathcart founded OneDiaspora Group, a Los Angeles and Washington, DC-based communications consulting firm whose clients have included Jaguar Cars, Hidden Beach Recordings, UniWorld Group, Inc., Heart & Soul magazine, among others. His first book, The Lost Art of Giving Back, a how-to guide to volunteerism, was published in 2007.

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A graduate of Howard University, Cathcart has more than 30 years of public relations experience in the entertainment, corporate, and political fields. Before starting OneDiaspora Group, the Plainfield, NJ, native was an executive at some of the world’s leading entertainment and media companies, including CNN, Motown Records, and Warner Bros. Television, among others. 

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Beyond the world of communications, Cathcart is also highly respected in the advocacy and service communities. He works tirelessly in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and education, as well as mentorships for at-risk youth. 

 

In 2004, Cathcart launched Ledge magazine, the nation’s first and only HIV/AIDS awareness publication written by and for Black college students. He also co-founded Visual AIDS, a project that uses independent films to promote discussions about the AIDS epidemic. And for more than a decade, Cathcart has served as a mentor with Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles. He has sat on the boards of several national and local non-profit organizations, including the Black AIDS Institute, a group dedicated to ending AIDS in Black communities, and RISE Inc, a Washington, DC-based community assistance organization.

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Cathcart is also a an adjunct communications professor for California State University/Northridge and Syracuse University. He has conducted marketing and branding workshops for such outlets as Verizon, The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, The NAACP and countless youth and empowerment programs across the nation.

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Thank you sir, for your service ... may you forever rest in peace and power.

1951-2019

FOREWORD BY U.S. CONGRESSMAN ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS
GRADUATE, HOWARD UNIVERSITY 

Much appreciation to the esteemed Congressman from Maryland. His insightful foreword is a highlight of the book and we cannot thank him enough. He was and is a true champion of our HBCUs and many other issues impacting our community and our nation. We must always honor him for his service. While gone too soon, he will never be forgotten. 

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INTRODUCTION  BY ALISSA RICHARDSON
GRADUATE, XAVIER UNIVERSITY 

Communications professor Alissa Richardson set the tone for Vol. 1 with her heartfelt introduction. Her memories of her experiences at Xavier University are the perfect lead-in for the debut collection.

Click Here for more info on Alissa.

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