bloomingdale: Howard University Community Connections newsletter -- Volume 1, issue 10 (Nov 2019)

From: Howard University Community Association
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2019 11:06 AM
Subject: Community Connections Newsletter

November 2019 Edition

Volume 1, Issue 10

A monthly newsletter brought to you by the Howard University Community Association, highlighting the University's contributions across the District of Columbia and beyond!

D.C. Council Recognizes Howard University's Maybelle Bennett

On Nov 5, Ward 1 District of Columbia Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and other members of the council joined Howard University representatives and other community members to honor the career and lifetime achievements of Maybelle Taylor Bennett for her contributions to the city and her tenure with the Howard University Community Association.

Councilmember Nadeau resolved, "Maybelle Bennett has and will continue to dedicate herself to strong advocacy for the vitality of long-time District residents, of low-and moderate-income residents, and the cultural and historical integrity of the District of Columbia's communities."

Bennett will officially retire from Howard University on Dec 13. Howard University thanks Ms. Bennett for excellence in truth and service.

For more about the ceremonial resolution, click here.

Cynthia Brock-Smith Retires and Howard Appoints Paul Monteiro as Successor

After years of contribution to the city of Washington and to Howard University, Cynthia Brock-Smith has retired from her service as assistant vice president for external affairs. Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick recently wrote, "I’d like to express my sincere thanks to Cynthia Brock-Smith for her five years of dedicated service to Howard University as assistant vice president of external affairs and wish her the very best as she transitions into retirement."

On Nov 19, President Frederick announced the appointment of Paul Monteiro as the successor in position. He has served as chief of staff in the Office of the President since 2017. In that role, Monteiro focused on the efficient operation of the Office of the President and worked regularly with a broad range of stakeholders on behalf of President Frederick.

Monteiro is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Howard University School of Law. With over 15 years of government affairs experience including federal appointments, Monteiro brings a wealth of relevant experiences to the Office of External Affairs and its focus on maintaining and building relationships with local, state and federal government officials.

Click here to read and share the appointment from our Newsroom.

Students, Staff , and Faculty

HU Law Students Respond

to HUD's Fair Housing Regulations

Recently the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a rule to amend the Fair Housing Act of 1968. HUD proposes to amend the interpretation of the act's disparate impact standard and clarify application standards. Howard University School of Law students have responded to this proposal with active opposition.

“Our public comment is unique because it was drafted by law students of color, each of whom has personally felt the effects of racial discrimination including, in many cases, housing discrimination,” said Valerie Schneider, professor of law at Howard University and supervisor of the Fair Housing Clinic at Howard Law.

As one of the nation’s oldest historically Black colleges and universities, Howard Law has long held the defense of human rights, equality, and dignity at the heart of its educational practice. Howard Law alumni and affiliates have been instrumental in shaping the country’s agenda for civil rights through extensive scholarship, litigation, and human and civil rights advocacy. Our students are following this legacy in the present and for our future.

Click here to read more about the School of Law position.

Howard University Partners with DC Fire and EMS

Howard University and the Washington D.C. Fire and EMS are partnering with First Alert, a trusted brand in home safety*, along with Campus Firewatch and the Michael H. Minger Foundation to participate in the third annual Town/Gown Fire Safety Community Service Project, dotingly titled Bison Fire Safety. Howard University is the only historically Black college and university selected to participate in this year’s project.

Valerie G. Turner, Ph.D., Director of Off-Campus Housing and Community Engagement at Howard University said, "Our goal is to assist and educate students, the elderly and families throughout the D.C. community to help reduce the risk of fatal fires. This helps make the community stronger and safer for everyone."

As part of the Town/Gown Fire Safety Community Service Project, Howard University will host community events that will address home safety in the neighborhoods surrounding Howard's central campus. The Bison Fire Safety Service Project kicked-off Nov. 2 and will continue in the months to follow.

For more about the project, click here.

Legislation Introduced to Honor Lucy Diggs Slowe and Dr. William Montague Cobb

On Nov. 5, District of Columbia Councilmember Nadeau introduced legislation to rename the 2400 block of Fourth Street after the illustrious Howard alumna Lucy Diggs Slowe. The rationale for the renaming referred to Slowe's "impact on the fields of education, women’s studies, organizational development, race politics, philosophy and sports." Renaming a street in her honor is also seen as a way to build on the momentum and interest in women’s movements.

Nadeau also introduced legislation supporting the renaming of the 600 block of W Street, NW after Dr. William Montague Cobb, Howard University alumnus of the College of Medicine. Dr. Cobb served on the College of Medicine faculty for 37 years and was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in physical anthropology. His research contributed to the debunking theories of racial determinism that were used to support views of white supremacy.

On Nov. 21, the Transportation Committee of the ANC 1B voted unanimously to support the renaming of these streets. These proposals will now be presented to ANC 1B on Dec. 5 for a vote of support.