HBCU Knoxville College Appoints Dr. Rotesha Harris New President

The Knoxville College Board of Trustees is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Rotesha Harris as the 32nd President of Knoxville College. With a steadfast commitment to education and a proven record of excellence in leadership, Dr. Harris will continue to guide the college in its efforts to regain full accreditation and expand its legacy of academic distinction.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment in Knoxville College’s history as it prepares to celebrate 150 years of existence. Founded in 1875, Knoxville College has remained a cornerstone of educational empowerment, especially for historically underserved communities.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Harris at the helm during this transformative time,” said Dr. Eric Barnes, Chair of the Knoxville College Board of Trustees. “Her unmatched skill set, dedication to academic excellence, and strong work ethic make her the perfect leader to usher Knoxville College into its next chapter of growth and achievement.”

With nearly two decades of distinguished experience in higher education, Dr. Harris brings a wealth of expertise in administration, accounting, compliance, and audit. Her leadership will enhance Knoxville College’s efforts to expand academic programs, strengthen partnerships, and further its mission of fostering a transformative educational environment.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the 32nd president of Knoxville College,” said Dr. Harris. “As we approach this historic milestone of 150 years, I am committed to ensuring that Knoxville College continues to be a beacon of opportunity and excellence. Together, we will strengthen our foundation and work diligently to regain accreditation, ensuring a vibrant future for generations to come.”

Under Dr. Harris’s leadership, Knoxville College will continue its legacy of creating opportunities for students to excel in academics and beyond while renewing its commitment to delivering a world-class education.

About Knoxville College

Knoxville College, founded in 1875, is East Tennessee’s only historically Black college. For nearly 150 years, it has been a cornerstone of leadership and excellence, dedicated to providing access to quality education and fostering a strong sense of community. Knoxville College remains steadfast in its mission to empower students and shape future leaders.

Janet Damon named 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Janet Damon, a history teacher at DELTA High School in Denver Public Schools, was announced as the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year in a ceremony at her school on Oct. 3, 2024. Damon, a graduate of DPS, has been teaching in the district for more than 25 years, serving as a teacher, literacy interventionist, library specialist and trainer, and K-12 librarian. Damon will be Colorado’s National Teacher of the Year competition nominee.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett statement on not attending Trump's inauguration

Rep. Jasmine Crockett made the following statement on not attending Trump's inauguration:

"I don't think that this is a time for celebration. I think that if we had a traditional Republican where there were disagreements, then, yeah, I would most likely be there, I would feel more obligated to be there, especially as a sitting member of Congress. But considering this is also Martin Luther King Day, it just seems like the worst way to spend the day knowing that I would be celebrating someone who really is going to work very hard to tear down the legacy in which literally he lived and died for," Crockett told Axios.

Jackson State wins Celebration Bowl & HBCU National Championship

The Jackson State Tigers have won their first Celebration Bowl in program history and are now HBCU National Champions. The Tigers beat South Carolina State 28-7. The game was a rematch of the 2021 bowl game, Jackson State's 21-point victory was the same point total they lost by to the Bulldogs three years ago (31-10).

The SWAC champions seemed to be in control throughout the contest. Even after a scoreless first quarter due to unnecessary roughness penalty that took away Jackson State's punt return touchdown, the Tigers (12-2) scored 14 points in both the second and fourth quarter. Quarterback Jacobian Morgan threw for 233 yards and two passing touchdowns — both to wide receiver Joanes Fortilien.

Jackson State out-rushed South Carolina State 153-30, putting together 383 total yards of offense to the Bulldogs' 211.

NAACP Condemns Jury Verdict in Trial of Daniel Penny

A jury acquitted Daniel Penny, a white man who killed Jordan Neely, a 30-year old Black man that was experiencing a mental health crisis on the New York City subway before Penny placed him in a chokehold, leading to his tragic death.

NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement, condemning the decision, warning of the dangerous precedent it sets:

"The NAACP is deeply disappointed by today's jury decision in the tragic death of Jordan Neely. This case sets a dangerous precedent by embracing vigilantism and disregarding the sanctity of human life. Let's be clear - mental health crises are medical emergencies, not crimes. America has yet again criminalized our community and subverted accountability. We remain resolute in our commitment to ensure that Black Americans receive the mental healthcare they deserve and our humanity is respected under the law."