For brothers only

I have enjoyed the annual September issues of EBONY, but this year's issue touched my heart in a special way. After reading the "For Brothers Only" column (Sept. 2006) by Tom Joyner, I was especially inspired to write this note. Mr. Joyner stated everything I feel about HBCUs. They are the core to the African-American communities.

Like Mr. Joyner, I grew up in a small college community, Grambling, La., the home of Grambling State University. My experiences in this environment were priceless. My husband and I also gave our children (highly recruited by major universities) the option to attend any HBCU. Three chose Grambling and one selected Southern University in Baton Rouge.

Today, I am fortunate to be able to work at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where students are being groomed for the future. I salute and celebrate all of our great HBCUs, which continue to focus on the true mission of educating our children and assisting them to become the great men and women they are destined to become.

Remember, you are only seeing one aspect of a student today; you never know who they will become tomorrow.

Sharon Armstrong

President, Grambling National

Alumni Association, Inc.

Baton Rouge; La.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning