(DALLAS – May 17) Morehouse student Genarlow Wilson says he’s thankful to have a chance to get a college education and is excited about the future.

Wilson, who was scheduled to graduate on Sunday, will complete his coursework in July with a B.S. in Sociology. He is currently working on a book and is in the midst of looking for a job.

“I hit a little speed bump,” said Wilson, who was released from prison in October 2007 after serving two years of a 10-year-old sentence, “but I remain positive. At first, I was a little hurt because I had worked so hard this year.  … I want everyone to know that when you face some obstacles, you can’t let them keep you down. Sometimes you don’t get everything you want right away. You just have to work a little harder to get it.”

Click here to listen to his interview on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

Tom Joyner, founder of the Tom Joyner Foundation, was among the many national voices who fought for Wilson’s release from prison.  So inspired by his story, Joyner provided a scholarship to Wilson to get his college degree.

“Everybody deserves a second chance,” said Joyner, host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, “and Genarlow deserves one.  I’m cheering for him every step of the way.  He’s working hard to get that degree.”

About The Tom Joyner Foundation
Founded in 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation has focused on its primary mission of helping to keep students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The Foundation has assisted more than 20,000 students and worked with more than 100 HBCUs, raising more than $60 million.  Throughout the week, the Foundation announces scholarship winners on the nationally syndicated radio show hosted by its founder, Tom Joyner. Each week, separate financial awards are focused on students who are single parents, high achievers, and distinguished male students at the ‘School of the Month’. To learn more about the Foundation, go to http://tomjoynerfoundation.org.

The Tom Joyner Foundation’s first Full Ride Scholar, Britney Wilson of Brooklyn, New York, is graduating Saturday with the highest honors from Howard University.

The native of Brooklyn, New York, Wilson is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Gamma of Washington, DC, is majoring in English, and heading law school in the fall at an Ivy League school.  She maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average during her time at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and distinguished herself with many accomplishments.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am for what the Foundation has provided me,” Wilson said in an interview aired on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. “I’m on my way to law school in the fall and this journey would not have been possible without you guys.

During her years at Howard, Wilson became a conscientious scholar and active in all facets of the community. She has been president of the campus’ Sterling Brown English Society, a columnist and opinions editor at “The Hilltop Newspaper,’ and was a 1^st place winner in the undergraduate division of the S. Randolph Edmonds Young Scholars Competition where she presented a paper entitled, “Every Woman in No Man’s Land: Triumphs of the Modern Black Woman at the Expense of the Black Male Character in the Works of Lynn Nottage”.  She also is a former columnist for The Hilltop, the university’s campus newspaper, and worked diligently to advocate the rights for physically challenged students on campus.

“I’m a black female and disabled, and I take my representation as all three groups very seriously,” Wilson said.  “You just have to know that you can do anything you can put your mind to. For everyone out there who want to help other black scholars attend other HBCUs, support the Tom Joyner Foundation to continue its legacy of helping talented youth attend HBCUS.

The Foundation, founded and led by nationally syndicated media personality and philanthropist Tom Joyner, chose Wilson in 2008 as its first winner of a “Full Ride Scholarship” that has covered her full tuition and stipends for room and board (on-campus only) and books.

The Foundation’s Full Ride Scholarship program chose Wilson in 2008 because of her outstanding academic record and her desire to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The Cathedral High School (New York) graduate maintained a 4.0 GPA and excelled in many areas. When chosen as the first Full Ride Scholar, the panel of judges said they were impressed with Wilson’s innate intellect that revealed her ability to discuss Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s foreign policy strategy and in the next sentence discuss the differences between East and West Coast rap music.

Interested in studying law and politics, Wilson has had a distinguished high school career where she has been an active member of the Junior Statesmen Association that led her to spending last summer at Georgetown University. She also is a French and History tutor, a singer in the Gospel for Teen’s Choir and a semi-finalist in the Teen Poetry slam competition that is part of the Urban Word New York City Poets.  For at least two hours a week, she is a Teen Health Initiative Peer Educator at the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Founded in 1903, Albany State, based in Albany, Ga., has more than 4,100 students who are majoring in a wide variety of subjects, including business, education and health, science and physical education.

The Hercules Scholarship is named after Joyner’s father, the late Hercules Joyner, who was a strong supporter of higher education. To be a candidate for the scholarship, students must be male, attend a Foundation “School of the Month”, have a grade point average of at least 3.0, and be a campus leader involved in the community with a career goal toward making a difference in the quality of life for his race. The scholars each receive a scholarship grant of $1,500 that is paid directly to their school to help offset their college expenses.

Diverse: Issues in Higher Education includes ASU in its list of Top 100 Degree Producers for 2009 in the Top 100 Undergraduate Degree Producers. The rankings include:

•  3rd for African-American graduates with bachelor’s degrees in education.
• 21st for African-American graduates with bachelor’s degrees in the physical sciences.
• 21st for total minority graduates with bachelor’s degrees in education.

Shelton is an honor student and future business owner who plans to be a successful entrepreneur and create partnerships to encourage those in need. At Albany State, Shelton finds time to be active in Students In A Free Enterprise, the SGA, the Student Activities Advisory Board, and mentors at a local youth center.

Shelton, lives by the motto, “Once you know better, you do better”.

During an interview on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Yancy said it’s been a difficult year, but it’s back – with lots of help from many supporters, including Willie Gary, the university’s board chairman and an alumnus.

“We’ve been camping out all year, all the windows are fixed. We are happy, happy, happy.  You can say we’re back,”  Yancy said. “You could say we’re moving the university forward….It’s been a bottoms-up and top-down to get us back.”

Students are in the midst of final exams and the university’s staff are planting lots of flowers and getting the campus back in order. Over the past year, enrolled dropped by nearly 350 students, Yancy said. She said there was a rumor that Shaw was closed.  “We’ve put all that to rest,” she added.

Click on the link below to view images of the campus on the day of the tornado, April 16, 2011.

Travis Armbrister, a freshman architecture major from Nassau, Bahamas, has been named one of Tuskegee University’s “Hercules Scholars”.

This future international architect, plans to work and study in Dubai after graduating from Tuskegee and later work back home in the Bahamas.

At Tuskegee, Armbrister is a member of the National Organization of Modern Architecture Students, the American Institute of Architecture Students, the Pre Alumni Council, and he serves as a peer tutor.

Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. has named four students as winners of “The Hercules Scholarship” as part of its on-going effort to help keep students in black schools.

The Hercules Scholarship is named after Joyner’s father, the late Hercules Joyner, who was a strong supporter of higher education. To be a candidate for the scholarship, students must be male, attend a Foundation “School of the Month”, have a grade point average of at least 3.0, and be a campus leader involved in the community with a career goal toward making a difference in the quality of life for his race. The scholars each receive a scholarship grant of $1,500 that is paid directly to their school to help offset their college expenses.

Here are February’s scholars:

Andrew Nunn is a junior biology and pre-med major from Austell, Ga. This future cardiologist has a 3.71 GPA and is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, the marching band, and he volunteers at a local youth center. Nunn lives by the motto, “No Excuses”, which forces him to stay on point toward his life goal of making a difference in the medical world.

Felipe Farias is a junior business major from Caracas, Venezuela.  This honor student has a 4.0 GPA and is a varsity tennis star who has won awards as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Conference All-Star. Farias plans to own a tennis academy and develop future tennis stars. At Stillman, he finds time to volunteer at a local school, is involved in the April 2011 tornado clean up and is a peer tutor.

Stephan Densby is a junior history major from Berkeley, California. Densby has career goals to work for the FBI or the CIA. At Stillman, she is a member of SGA, the Honda Bowl Academic Team, serves as a peer tutor, and is involved in the community clean up from the recent tornadoes in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area.

Jeremy Thompson is a senior music major with an emphasis on trumpet performance from Louisville, Miss.  This future band director, composer, and conductor plans to work very hard to ensure that music is made available in all communities. At Stillman, Thompson is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, The Stillman Blue Pride Marching Band, and has served as SGA President. Thompson’s motto to live by is: “Once a task has begun, never leave until it is done.”

Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla. has named five students as winners of “The Hercules Scholarship” as part of its on-going effort to help keep students in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Hercules Scholarship is named after Joyner’s father, the late Hercules Joyner, who was a strong supporter of higher education. To be a candidate for the scholarship, students must be male, attend a Foundation “School of the Month”, have a grade point average of at least 3.0, and be a campus leader involved in the community with a career goal toward making a difference in the quality of life for his race. The scholars each receive a scholarship grant of $1,500 that is paid directly to their school to help offset their college expenses.

Here are March’s scholars:

Tevin Abbney is a freshman math major from Wimauma, Fla.  This honor student and future account has a 3.8 GPA and leads a neighborhood cleanup team, is a peer tutor, and volunteers at a local youth center. He lives by the motto, “Everything happens for a reason”.  Abbney wants to challenge all young men to gain an education and be prepared to be productive citizens.

Alfred Mackle is a freshman mass communications major from Indianapolis, Ind.   Mackle plans to be a media research analyst and sell his services to major networks and communications companies. At Edward Waters he is a member the football team, the campus ministry, is a peer tutor, and volunteers a local middle school.

Alonzo Cunningham is a sophomore music education major with a business administration minor from New Providence, Bahamas.   This honor student plans to further his music education at the Berkley School of Music, and own a private music school. At Edward Waters, he is a member the track team, the marching band, the concert band and is a presidential scholar.

Alodante “Dante” Roberts is a freshman elementary education major from Miami, Fla. This honor student plans to become a teacher. Roberts said, “Teaching is such an honorable profession needing black male role models, so our children can learn from people who look like them.” At Edward Waters, Roberts is a peer tutor, volunteers at a local community center, and in the fall will try out for football and baseball.

Avery McClendon is a freshman biology major from Clermont, Fla.  After graduate school, McClendon plans to be a physical therapist and incorporate healthy living with proper care of the body and mind. At Edward Waters, he is a member of the varsity football team, does community service at a local school, and is a peer tutor.

“Best Cruise Ever”: 3,000 Passengers Aboard Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Presented by Ford Rolls 24/7

More than 70 Artists, Endless Activities, Raise Money for Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

(Dallas  – April 3) – It’s official: The 2012 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage presented by Ford is over, but passengers are calling it the “best cruise ever”, reliving the memories online, tweeting, posting pictures and videos throughout social media, bonded together by six days and seven nights of partying with a purpose.

As more than 3,000 passengers returned home from the “Ultimate Party with a Purpose”, which helps raise money to keep students in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, they’re taking with them dozens of memorable moments, topped off with Queen Latifah and Fantasia stepping down from their stages to sing their way through throngs of fans, shopping with Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Derek J (@derekjhair) and Cynthia Bailey (@cynthiabailey10), hanging out poolside with Wendy Raquel Robinson of BET’s ‘The Game’, model/actress Melyssa Ford (@MissMelyssaFord), playing spades with several former NFL greats and paying tribute to Trayvon Martin. The cruise was packed with music, comedy, networking and a strong sense of community atypical of most cruises.

Comedian Rodney Perry tweeted that the Fantastic Voyage “plugged me up to a FUN IV for a week. All I can say is wow.”

Sophia A. Nelson (@sophiaredefined), author of “Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama” who hosted a panel on the cruise, tweeted, “Being at sea for six days via #TomJoynerCruise truly made me see God in a different way.”

“I had the time of my life,” said passenger Valerie Davis in a post on the Fantastic Voyage Facebook page. “I want to thank everyone who helped put this smile on my face (which was almost everybody on board the ship) LoL. I loved the positive vibe and friendly atmosphere. That was just awesome! The people at work won’t be able to shut me up when I return on Tuesday. I’ll be spreadin’ the word about the Fantastic Voyage and what a FANTASTIC time I had. It was so great meeting such wonderful people. I can hardly wait til next year to do it all again.”

Here are some other highlights:

*    A “Hoodie” tribute to Trayvon Martin kicked off the cruise – the party with a purpose concept accented the purpose when the cruise set sail and passengers on the top deck wore hoodies or made a hand jesture to replicate a hoodie as a thoughtful moment for Trayvon Martin.

*   Author Sophia Nelson inspired a crowd about the importance of First Lady Michelle Obama and redefining the image of black women with Sybil Wilkes, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Melyssa Ford and in another panel, Dr. Lawana Gladney (@drgladney) offered sage advice on maintaining strong relationships.

*   Derek J, the celebrity hairstylist and Real Housewives of Atlanta star, offered fashion tips on buying shoes, clothes and accessories along with Tia Hebron, an executive with Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. He and Cynthia Bailey, another actor from Real Housewives, also led groups through the shops of Nassau on a shopping excursion.

*   Claudia Jordan (@claudiajordan), Wendy Raquel Robinson (@IamWendyRaquel) and dozens of other celebrities signed autographs, mingled with guests and participated in panels on relationships and other hot topics.

*   Gospel great Dr. Bobby Jones led a daily morning devotion, punctuated with  special appearances by award winning singer Dottie Peoples (@due4u) and comedian J. Anthony Brown (@jspotcomedyclub) who one morning belted out a gospel song with back up singers, Jones and Peoples.

*   Tom Joyner and Morning Show Crew – J. Anthony Brown, Sybil Wilkes, Huggy Lowdown, Chris Paul and Dominique – dressed as characters from the Lion King, then followed up on ’70s night next night dressed up as the main characters from Scooby Doo.

*   Nationally renowned artists Twin (Jerry and Terry Lynn), Frank Frazier, Charles Bibbs, Deborah Shedrick and the Premier Art Gallery offered works that were on display throughout the week and auctioned off to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

*   Donnell and Janet Proctor renewed their vows as part of winning a contest sponsored by TBS’ ‘For Better or Worse’, along with several other couples during the Captain’s Champagne Reception, and yes, there was even a wedding on board.

*   Even with sunny skies and warm temperatures, passengers packed informative seminars on improving relationships, managing finances, improving networking skills sponsored by Southwest Airlines, understanding the impact of Alzheimer’s disease led by the Alzheimer’s Association, buying art led by Premier Art of Atlanta, learning about quality cigars led by former New York Jets’ QB Walter Briggs and even taking pole fitness instructions from Atlanta’s Rashida Hobbs.

* Former NFL greats – Dorsey Levens (Green Bay Packers), Ray Buchanan (Indianapolis Colts/Atlanta Falcons/Oakland Raiders), Rodney Hampton (New York Giants), Chris Calloway  (New York Giants), Ryan McNeil (Detroit Lions), and Rob Royal (Washington Redskins) challenged passengers in card games and video games.

*   Dozens of passengers won a variety of prizes including Southwest Airlines tickets, a Louis Cardini purse courtesy of Crest PRO-HEALTH who also sponsored one of the theme dress nights – White Nights. Passengers also registered for a chance to win a 2013 Explorer, sponsored by Ford who also gave away iPads and other prizes throughout the week.

* At the always irreverent Beach Party, presented by Budweiser, Tom Joyner and J. Anthony Brown led passengers in the light-hearted ‘Light Skin’d v. Dark Skin’d’ water gun fight.

* At 2:00am hip-hop artists took center stage on the Budweiser-sponsored Studio B, bringing together Doug E. Fresh (@realdougefresh) with the ladies of hip hop including Lady of Rage (@theofficialrage), DaBrat, SWV (@therealswv). On another night, Melle Mel took the stage with Too Short (@tooshort), Kwame and more.

For seven days and six nights, more than 3,000 passengers were on board the Royal Caribbean International’s ‘Navigator of the Seas’(tm), helping to support students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This luxurious ship will be home to some of the most fantastic artists in soul music including headliner – Queen Latifah along with Fantasia, Chante Moore, SWV, Boyz II Men, Silk, H-Town, Shai, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Yarbrough & Peoples, Rose Royce, Taste of Honey, Anita Ward, Con Funk Shun, Glen Jones, Phil Perry, Tony Terry, Michael Cooper, Keith Sweat, Guy, Bobby Valentino, and Lenny Williams.

About the Tom Joyner Morning Show and BlackAmericaweb.com
The nation’s #1 syndicated urban morning show, which airs in more than 105 markets reaching nearly 8 million listeners, has distinguished itself over the years as continuously giving back to its audience with quality programming, highly popular promotions, special events and philanthropy.  Since 2004, Joyner has awarded millions in cash and prizes to contest winners and his Foundation has raised more than $60 million to help keep students in historically black colleges and universities.  The Morning Show with co-hosts Sybil Wilkes, J. Anthony Brown and senior news analyst Roland Martin, also features “Inside Her Story” with Jacque Reid; political commentary from Stephanie Robinson and Jeff Johnson; entertainment reports from Kevin Frazier, as well as comedic observations from D.L. Hughley and the Celebrity Snitch Huggy Lowdown.  Joyner’s website, BlackAmericaWeb.com, has more than 1.5 million registered users.

About the Tom Joyner Foundation
Founded in 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation has focused on its primary mission of helping to keep students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The Foundation has assisted more than 20,000 students and worked with more than 100 HBCUs, raising more than $60 million.  Throughout the week, the Foundation announces scholarship winners on the nationally syndicated radio show hosted by its founder, Tom Joyner. Each week, separate financial awards are focused on students who are single parents, high achievers, and distinguished male students at the ‘School of the Month’.

Photos:

1. It’s “Power to the Hoodie” as Tom Joyner and FV 2012 Passengers Pay Tribute to Slain Teenager Trayvon Martin http://bit.ly/HFrlQL

2. Fantasia Surrounded by FV 2012 Passengers During Late Night Concert Symbolizes How Passengers Get Up Close to Performers http://bit.ly/H8AC4P

3.  Cynthia Bailey and Derek J of the Real Housewives of Atlanta lead FV 2012 passengers on ‘Shop Til You Drop’ excursion in Nassau, Bahamas http://bit.ly/H2Jrsv

4. TJMS Crew on Mardi Gras Night dressed as lead characters from ‘The Lion King” http://bit.ly/HFrJ1J

5. The Battle Rages During Infamous ‘Light Skin’d v. Dark Skin’d’ Water Gun Fight @ FV 2012 in CocoCay, Bahamas http://bit.ly/Hd9OgT

6.  FV 2012 Passengers Dance on Promenade As Part of ‘White Night’, One of Themed Nights http://bit.ly/HFs2JT

7. TJMS Co-Host Sybil Wilkes Leads the Tom Joyner Foundation Art Auction, Featuring the Works of World-Renowned Black Artists

**Photo Credit: Rance Elgin

Full Picture Album: BlackAmericaWeb.com http://fantasticvoyage.blackamericaweb.com/index.php?option=com_joomgallery&Itemid=332Social media: Facebook:  TJMShow   and Fantastic Voyage; twitter: @TJMShow   #TomJoynerCruise

1,500 Crowd Pool Deck in Florida Heat to Do Symbolic Hoodie Tribute As A Party With a Purpose With New Meaning

(Fort Lauderdale – March 25) As a tribute to the slain Florida teenager Trayvon Mitchell, nearly 1,500 passengers on the 2012 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage presented by Ford paused for a moment of silence, and draped their heads with their hands or clothes to represent Martin’s hoodie. While the cruise is traditionally, titled with the “Party with a Purpose” to support students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the sense of community rallying around Martin took hold as the ship was leaving Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Martin, wearing a hoodie at the time of his death, was shot by George Zimmerman in the gated community of Retreat at Twin Lakes, on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla.  The incident has sparked rallies around the country, fueled by social media and punctuated by many participants wearing hoodies.

Right before the ship sail, Joyner rallied his passengers to join him poolside to take a picture with the guests in memory of Martin.  Several of the guests were wearing T-shirts that recognized Martin’s death.

For seven days and six nights, more than 3,000 passengers will be on board the Royal Caribbean International’s ‘Navigator of the Seas’™, helping to support students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This luxurious ship will be home to some of the most fantastic artists in soul music including headliner – Queen Latifah along with Fantasia, Chante Moore, SWV, Boyz II Men, Silk, H-Town, Shai, Tony Toni Toné , Yarbrough & Peoples, Rose Royce, Taste of Honey, Anita Ward, Con Funk Shun, Glen Jones, Phil Perry, Tony Terry, Michael Cooper, Keith Sweat, Guy, Bobby Valentino, and Lenny Williams.

About the Tom Joyner Morning Show and BlackAmericaweb.com

The nation’s #1 syndicated urban morning show, which airs in more than 105 markets reaching nearly 8 million listeners, has distinguished itself over the years as continuously giving back to its audience with quality programming, highly popular promotions, special events and philanthropy.  Since 2004, Joyner has awarded millions in cash and prizes to contest winners and his Foundation has raised more than $60 million to help keep students in historically black colleges and universities.  The Morning Show with co-hosts Sybil Wilkes, J. Anthony Brown and senior news analyst Roland Martin, also features “Inside Her Story” with Jacque Reid; political commentary from Stephanie Robinson and Jeff Johnson; entertainment reports from Kevin Frazier, as well as comedic observations from D.L. Hughley and the Celebrity Snitch Huggy Lowdown.  Joyner’s website, BlackAmericaWeb.com, has more than 1.5 million registered users.

About the Tom Joyner Foundation

Founded in 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation has focused on its primary mission of helping to keep students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The Foundation has assisted more than 20,000 students and worked with more than 100 HBCUs, raising more than $60 million.  Throughout the week, the Foundation announces scholarship winners on the nationally syndicated radio show hosted by its founder, Tom Joyner. Each week, separate financial awards are focused on students who are single parents, high achievers, and distinguished male students at the ‘School of the Month’.