By K. Dawn Rutledge February is now behind us, but there’s still much to discuss when it comes to Black History and the contributions Black people have made across the globe. During February, I wanted to see how Blackness is celebrated. I asked a simple question on Facebook: “What do you love most about being Black?” I just knew my Black Facebook friends would flood my timeline with answers of pride around our history and the power of our community. But what I received was nothing. Crickets. It puzzled me that whenever we post pictures of vacations, parties, nonsensical articles…
Author: K. Dawn Rutledge
By K. Dawn Rutledge, Ed.D. NASHVILLE, TN — Black women have always used their ingenuity to turn lemons into lemonade. And that includes the world of business. One only needs to point to history to discover the entrepreneurial influence of trailblazers such as Madame C. J. Walker, who at the time of her death, was considered the wealthiest self-made Black woman in America. “I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it!,” Walker once said. “Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” Black women are starting businesses…
By K. Dawn Rutledge, Ed.D. NASHVILLE, TN — The Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) ushered in a new era of leadership by installing the first African American woman to lead the organization in its 40-year history. Nashville native, Dr. Jewell G. Winn, was passed the gavel Feb. 22 at the organization’s annual conference held in New Orleans during Black History Month. As president, Winn will focus on initiatives around Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) as well as a Presidential Fellows program designed to engage and prepare the next generation of international higher education leaders. Further, Winn wants to…
By K. Dawn Rutledge, Ed.D. NASHVILLE, TN — Some may say mixing business and pleasure does not work, but the Winns have discovered a recipe as sweet as the day they met. Tim and Jewell Winn will celebrate 20 years of marriage next month and have spent many of those years not only blending their families but blending a successful business formula that includes four ventures: boutique catering, corporate catering, a specialty tea recipe, and an events venue and private membership club. “It is not always easy running a business and being married. They are both something you have to…
By K. Dawn Rutledge NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University students, faculty and administrators represented the university in full force at the first R.A.C.E. Mentoring Conference hosted by Vanderbilt University, July 14-16. The inaugural gathering welcomed more than 160 doctoral students, higher education faculty and P-12 educators from across the country for three days of workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities. As a partner in the effort, TSU’s School of Graduate Studies and Professional Studies sponsored more than 30 graduate students, faculty members, and administrators to take part in the conference. Title III’s Graduate Student Services program also…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Some people may debate whether skipping breakfast is good or bad, but who can resist the flavor of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, cheesy omelets and skillet potatoes washed down with fresh squeezed orange juice? At least not those frequenting Nashville’s newest breakfast, brunch and lunch spot – Wild Eggs. Last April, Tennessee State University alumnus Sekou Charles ventured into the new opportunity helping to introduce the first Wild Eggs in the Nashville area. As general manager and partner of the restaurant, located in downtown Nashville on 333 Union Street, Charles has worked hard to help…