Just Call Her Dr. T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh

Your Black World reports

Last week, May 16th, in their annual commencement ceremony Florida A & M University (FAMU) bestowed on T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh its highest and most prestigious honor: An Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Keymáh, star of television's In Living Color, Cosby, and That's So Raven personally accepted the honor held recently in Tallahassee, Florida.

"I can't begin to describe how pleased I am to have been chosen for this esteemed honor," said Dr. Keymáh. "It is truly overwhelming for FAMU's Board of Trustees, and President James H. Ammons to believe I am worthy of the school's highest honor...I am grateful and deeply humbled."

Since graduating Cum Laude in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in theater, Keymáh has established and funded the T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh Theatre Scholarship at FAMU. The state's fifty percent endowment of the gift brings the scholarship total to $150,000. In addition, Keymáh has been named one of 100 Most Influential FAMUans of the Century. In 1999, then FAMU President Dr. Frederick Humphries conferred upon her the Special President's Meritorious Award, the school's second highest honor.

Keymáh's career has landed her roles on Fox's Emmy Award-winning sketch variety show, In Living Color (five seasons), CBS' hit, COSBY (four seasons), and Disney's That's So Raven (three seasons). Keymáh, along with Meet the Browns actor Lamman Rucker, will serve as Celebrity Co-chairs for the 2011 National Black Theatre Festival (NBTF) which will run from Monday, August 1 - August 6, 2011 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. NBTF is one of the nation's largest and most prestigious black theatre events of its kind. This summer, Keymáh will release the anticipated second edition of her popular book, Natural Woman, Natural Hair.

Please join the Your Black World Coalition by visiting YourBlackWorld.com

FAMU and Tennessee State Among First to Link With HBCUsonline.com

Your Black World reports

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and Tennessee State University have aligned themselves with Tom Joyner and HBCUsonline.com, a site that helps connect prospective HBCU online students with member colleges who provide that service. This service enables universities like FAMU and Tennessee State to offer online education. “We thought this thing through, and we had the benefit of knowing how to take the best of what online universities had to offer and what HBCUs had to offer and tailor a program that makes HBCUs online a better experience,” Joyner said on the HBCUsOnline.com web site.

Since the site was founded, over 150,000 prospective students have visited the site for information, and Joyner is gratified to announce the formal partnership with three of the country’s biggest HBCUs. “Adding FAMU and Tennessee State as part of HBCUsOnline is very exciting,” Joyner says. “I want to make sure that African-Americans know that getting an online degree from an HBCU is a better choice. Students take classes from experienced professors and graduates become part of the schools’ proud legacy of alumni!” Applications for Fall 2011 are now being accepted. Program specialists are on hand to help prospective students with the application process and any information they may need.

HBCUsOnline.com will provide assistance and support to students from application to graduation. Once they are accepted and fulfill the appropriate requirements, students will receive a fully accredited degree from the participating HBCU of their choice. Tennessee State offers two undergraduate degrees and a master’s degree program that is tailored to working adults who need to complete or expand their education.

Founded in 1912, TSU ranks among the top HBCUs as rated by U.S. News and World Report and has a total student body of over 8,800 students.“Tennessee State University has a diverse student population and offers quality programs to suit the academic and professional needs of its constituency,” said TSU President Portia Shields. “Among this population are adult learners who are able to earn degrees online, at night and on weekends.” FAMU is the nation’s largest HBCU, with over 13,000 students, and is considered the top engineering and natural sciences HBCU overall. FAMU is also the nation’s leading producer of African-American pharmacists.

Please join the Your Black World Coalition by visiting YourBlackWorld.com