The president of the United States of America proclaimed September 14 through September 20, 2003 as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.
National HBCU Week was designed to honor all 105 historically black colleges and universities. HBCU’s were founded in order to give educational opportunities to African-Americans who were unable to receive a college-level education at other universities.
President George W. Bush said, “America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a proud and storied tradition. America recognizes and salutes their history and achievements and will work for their continued success.”
The week of September 14 through 20 was just a token of the recognition that HBCU’s should be given.
In celebration of National HBCU Week, the Student Government Association sponsored a spoken word competition for students and booked KRS-ONE as the speaker for the event.
Students were given the opportunity to sign up for the competition in which the first, second, and third place winners received a monetary prize. The selected topic for the contest was “My Black College Experience.”
The seven contestants included Mason Parker, Sheena Davis, Troy Smith, Brandy Little, Maria Singleton, Akela LeCry, and Ricky Jones. A few of the contestants shared their thoughts and feelings about the opportunities the program provided before it began.
“Basically this is crazy; for one thing, you get to do what you love in front of a large percentage of the student body. It’s a great thing to be able to speak before KRS-ONE,” said Mason “Quill” Parker.
Another contestant, junior Sheena Simpson, said, “Right now I am very excited to be speaking before KRS-ONE. I think that this is a great privilege.”
The talking in the audience slowly came to a halt as Mr. Ram 2003-2004, Alan Brown, began the program by letting the audience know to what extent judges Joy Rivers, Ebony Wilson, and Sheri Clawson would critique the speeches.
Brown also let audience members know that the first prize winner would get $200, second prize $100, and third prize $75. The evening’s winners included Sheena Simpson in first place, Ricky Jones in second place, and Troy Smith in third place. When asked to comment on their latest accomplishments first place winner Sheena Simpson said, “I feel truly blessed and honored.”
“God is good, and all things are possible through Him,” said Ricky Jones.
Troy Smith said, “Thank God for this wonderful opportunity,” said Troy Smith.
The spoken word competition came to a close and deejay Tommy G. gave the audience some music to listen to while anticipating the arrival of KRS-ONE.
And a star arrives…
When KRS-ONE stepped on the stage and immediately received a standing ovation. As he took his position at the podium, he let the audience know that he was glad to be at WSSU again.
“First of all I’m extremely excited to be back in Winston-Salem,” KRS said.
He began to get comfortable and asked for a hand-held microphone. From the very beginning of his speech until the end, the audience felt the charisma and energy that he had for the subject that he was speaking of- Hip- Hop. He broke down the meaning of Hip-Hop and let the members of the audience know that it is a lifestyle and the way we look at the world.
“Hip-hop is deeper than you think. It is Holy Integrated People Having Omnipresent Power.”
He expanded upon why he and other individuals brought about hip-hop and how it was done.
“We gave value to ourselves first, and Hip-hop gave itself the authority to interpret the world…We rocked dirty rags on our heads and wore ripped jeans and years later our fashion is worth $3 billion a year because we gave it value,” said KRS.
The continual stress KRS-ONE placed on giving value to yourself and what you own correlated with his stressing the importance of obtaining an education.
“Your words are your wealth. Hit the dictionary and raise your vocabulary,” he said.
The main thing KRS-ONE was trying to get young people to realize is that with an education and self-esteem, the only thing that is left to do is give yourself value. Many audience members seemed awed and said they would not have thought of hip- hop was that deep.
“He was so deep. I didn’t think of hip- hop on that level,” said sophomore Chanelle Broughton. “That’s all I can say.”
In closing, KRS-ONE reminded the audience on one thing.
“If you believe you are going to make it, you are, but be realistic. Before you get success, you have to think you have it.”