News

North Carolina has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, with Black infants dying at a rate more than twice that of Non-Hispanic White infants. While it is proven that breastfeeding is protective against infant mortality, the Black population has the lowest rates of breastfeeding duration. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 62% of Black infants born in the US in 2010 initiated breastfeeding, compared to 79% of White infants. After six months, only 36% continued to breastfeed, compared to 52% of White infants.

JCSU celebrated the end of International Women’s Month with a lecture about how feminism is represented in hip hop from a pan African viewpoint from one of our alumna.

Johnson C. Smith University joined the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) Caucus for the second annual HBCU STEAM Day of Action on Capitol Hill. This annual event brings together education and industry leaders and Members of Congress for a collective day of advocacy for our nation’s 102 HBCUs and their 300,000 students.

Kaleyah Braxton ’21 spent Fall 2018 sharpening her photography skills as an intern in the Department of University Communications and Marketing, capturing images at sports, academic and social events. She took her craft to another level with a two-day wildlife and bird photography course limited to a dozen professional nature photographers at the Carolina Raptor Center. 

Yancy Hall was transformed with student exhibits celebrating Black culture, history and pride as a part of the 29th annual National African American Read-In Celebration on Feb. 20. 

The national event was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English in an effort to make literacy an important part of Black History Month. 

Johnson C. Smith University’s annual Christmas Vespers service was a grand success Dec. 2, 2018. This year’s Vespers were even more anticipated than usual, as the program featured the combined voices of the JCSU Concert Choir and the newly organized JCSU Alumni Choir, as well as more community partnership.

The holiday spirit was alive at JCSU during Residence Life and the Student Government Association’s “An Evening with Santa.”

The event, held Saturday Dec. 1, 2018, brought dozens of children and their families from nearby Bruns Elementary, Charlotte Bilingual Preschool and the surrounding neighborhoods to enjoy a culturally resonant evening with Santa, Mrs. Claus and JCSU students as Santa’s elves.

On Saturday afternoon, November 17, 2018, an intimate gathering of local women met for a Ladies Tea at the Smith House to formally welcome First Lady Denise McGregor Armbrister to Charlotte.

Johnson C. Smith University celebrated its historical bond with First United Presbyterian Church (USA) at the church's Homecoming on Nov. 11, 2018. They are two of the oldest African-American institutions in Charlotte, and have deeply entwined roots.

Johnson C. Smith University students celebrated Veteran’s Day by recognizing veterans and active duty military members with notes of appreciation. The university also hosted officers of the Coast Guard who introduced students to additional resources that can enhance their college experience.