HBCU-Africa Correspondents Corps

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-Africa Correspondents Corps is an initiative of the Center for African Studies at Howard University.  It aims to provide student journalists and political scientists attending HBCUs with professional development exposure and experience beneficial to pursue a career as an international correspondent or political commentator.  The HBCU-ACC will also work to broaden and deepen networks between HBCU students and their counterparts in Africa and the global African Diaspora.      


  VIDEO PLAYLISTS

Reporters

Leah-Clark.jpg
Leah Clark

Leah Clark is the Chief Staff Writer at The Xavier Herald, the student newspaper of Xavier University of Louisiana. She has an interest in covering inequality on an international scale. This past summer, she covered the aftermath of the Buffalo mass shooting and spent time reporting on refugees from the Ukrainian War who resettled in the United States.

Joshua Edler
Joshua Edler

Joshua Edler is the Editor-in-Chief of The Gramblinite, the student newspaper of Grambling State University. He aspires to become a political journalist after completing his studies. A Mass Communications major, he previously wrote for the San Diego Mesa Press

Kyra Edwards
Kyra Edwards

Kyra Edwards is a writer at The UVI Voice 2.0, the student newspaper of the University of the Virgin Islands. She has an interest in covering Caribbean affairs. An accounting major, she is a member of the UVI Association of Black Journalists and co-founder and director of a non-profit organization. 

DaQuan Lawrence
DaQuan Lawrence

DaQuan Lawrence is a News and Politics reporter at The Hilltop, the student newspaper of Howard University. He has an interest in covering international affairs and global politics related to the African diaspora, foreign policy, and human rights issues. This past fall, he regularly reported on national and international events.

Gimel Pinto
Gimel Pinto

Gimel Pinto is a writer at The UVI Voice 2.0, the student newspaper of the University of the Virgin Islands. She is interested in obtaining and analyzing important material pertinent to the public interest. A communications major, she is a member of the Association of Black Journalists.

Jason Ponterotto
Jason Ponterotto

Jason Ponterotto is a News & Politics Staff Writer at The Hilltop, the student newspaper of Howard University. He is an inaugural recipient of the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Scholarship/Internship. He has reported as an intern for Trice Edney News Wire, NBC/CNBC, and the National Urban League.

Jah’I Selassie
Jah’I Selassie

Jah’I Selassie is the National Correspondent at The Spokesman, the student newspaper of Morgan State University. She has an interest in covering national affairs. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she is a 4.0 student, and a multiple Dean’s List recipient.

Ndumiso-Shongwe
Ndumiso Shongwe

Ndumiso Shongwe is the Sports Editor for The Gramblinite, the campus newspaper of Grambling State University of Louisiana. He has an interest in covering global politics someday. A mass communication major, he is the first LiSwati to attend Grambling State University. After graduation, he hopes to establish his own public relations firm.

Lillian Stephens
Lillian Stephens

Lillian Stephens is the Foreign Correspondent at The Spokesman, the student newspaper of Morgan State University. She has a vested interest in national and international affairs, and covered state and local news during the 2022 elections. A strategic communication major, she previously attended Pratt Institute, Santa Ana College, and the Defense Information School.

Counterparts

Lesedi-Mnisi
Lesedi Mnisi

(South Africa)

Lesedi Mnisi is the Content Editor of Die Matie, the independent student newspaper of Stellenbosch University. She is an undergraduate law student interested in justice, democracy and language. Lesedi is also a presenter for MFM 92.6, Stellenbosch University's local radio station.

Aurelia Mouton
Aurelia Mouton

(South Africa)

Aurelia Mouton is the Editor-in-Chief of Die Matie, the independent student newspaper of Stellenbosch University. She is a final year Humanities student majoring in Political Science, History and English Studies. She hopes to pursue a career in investigative or political news journalism. She is also involved in Stellenbosch University's Centre for Social Justice, as a social media assistant.

New Podcast by Lesedi Mnisi

IT ALL INTERSECTS is a podcast that explores the differences between South Africa and America's racially segregated pasts. As well as how these countries dealt with and continue to deal with these pasts and what they could learn from each other in this regard.

Go to Podcast

Advisors

Phiwo-Mnyandu
Phiwokuhle Mnyandu

Phiwokuhle Mnyandu is an established policy pundit, he is best known for his appearances on BBC World News and VOA Straight Talk Africa. 

Michael Walsh
Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh is a well-known foreign policy commentator, he served as a Subcommittee Chair on the Biden Defense Working Group during the 2020 presidential campaign. 

Diversifying Commentary Initiative

Diversifying Commentary Initiative will provide undergraduate and graduate students from historically marginalized communities with a platform to make their voices known. Ideal candidates will be majoring in journalism, law, and/or political science. Selected participants will work with a senior fellow who will provide guidance on selecting a newsworthy story, developing a pitch, interviewing sources, drafting an article, and submitting to a publication. Newsworthy stories shall include defense, democracy, development, and diplomacy topics.

Go to Initiative Page (COMING SOON)

Program

MENTORS

Deborah Bailey
Washington Editor
AFRO American Newspapers 

Tyler Bridges
Reporter
The Times-Picayune 

Sara Kirkpatrick
News Reporter
Virgin Islands Daily News

Min Seok Lee 
Washington Correspondent
The Chosun Ilbo 

Tony McAuley
Reporter
The Times-Picayune

Kentaro Nakajima
Washington Correspondent
Yomiuri Shimbun

Mallory Noe-Payne
Reporter
RADIO IQ

Mike Smith
Reporter
The Times-Picayune

Alexis Taylor
News Editor
AFRO American Newspapers 

Saraya Wintersmith
Boston City Hall Reporter
GBH News

EVENTS

Professional Development Roundtable with International Humanitarian Worker

March 2, 2023 | 8:30-9:30 EST

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-Africa Correspondents Corps will be discussing the future of crisis communications in conflict zones with Kader Garnier Aw of Team Rubicon International.

This event is open to the corps members only.

 

Integrated Learning Experience at German Embassy

February 24, 2023 | 14:00-15:00 EST

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-Africa Correspondents Corps will be visiting the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. The visit will provide an opportunity to discuss the role that public diplomacy officers play in international relations with the embassy's spokesperson, Martin Jungius.

This event is open to the corps members only.

 

Professional Development Roundtable with Channels Television Correspondent

February 21, 2023 | 19:00-20:00 pm EST

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-Africa Correspondents Corps will be discussing what is expected of a foreign correspondent with Maria Byrd, the Washington Correspondent for Channels Television (Nigeria). 

This event is open to the corps members only.

 

Professional Development Roundtable with Atlanta Journal-Constitution Correspondent

January 24, 2023 | 17:00-18:00 pm EST

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-Africa Correspondents Corps will be discussing the current state of national news coverage with Tia Mitchell, the Washington Correspondent for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

This event is open to the corps members only.

 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs Interview

December 15, 2022 | 15:30-16:00 pm EST

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-Africa Correspondents Corps will be interviewing Foreign Service Minister Counselor Ervin Massinga, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs, at the US-Africa Leaders Summit.

This event is open to the corps members only.

 

Pre-Summit Roundtable on the U.S. Strategy Towards Sub-Saharan Africa

December 9, 2022 | 14:30-15:30 pm EST

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-Africa Correspondents Corps will be hosting a discussion with Ebenezer Obadare, Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. This conversation, on the eve of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, will focus on the U.S. strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa under the Biden Administration.

This event is open to the corps members only.

PHOTOS

German-Embassy.jpg
February 24, 2023 | German Embassy Washington

DISCUSSIONS

NEWS

Contact

Michael Walsh
Advisor, HBCU-Africa Correspondents Corps
Center for African Studies, Howard University
michael.walsh@howard.edu