by Shaniele Brown
South Jersey Information Equity Program
On March 22, 2024, The Rowan-NAACP Collegiate Chapter hosted its inaugural Excellence Networking Gala, a remarkable event that brought together over 100 students and professionals representing diverse backgrounds. Notable attendees include Rowan University President Dr. Ali Houshmand, award-winning Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Melanie Burney, and Deputy Attorney General for New Jersey, Rbrey Singleton.
President Houshmand offered some words of advice for the attendees, encouraging them to believe in themselves. “Believe in yourself, never letting anybody tell you you’re lesser than others. Always keep your head up and dream beyond your imagination,” he said.
The evening continued with the keynote address delivered by Rbrey Singleton, a native of Paterson, New Jersey, who earned his Bachelor’s from Rowan University and his J.D. from the University of Massachusetts School of Law. Singleton began by expressing gratitude to his mentor, Dr. Houshmand, and continued, “I’m deeply honored to be here and share this space… and honored to get out of bed and truly serve the people of New Jersey.”
Following dinner, The gala proceeded to honor Melanie Burney with the first Alumni Impact Award. A Rowan University graduate from 1984, when it was Glassboro State College, Burney’s career has spanned from the Associated Press to her current role as education reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer. She is also an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists-Philly Chapter and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Accepting her award, she expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “To the NAACP, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for my award and for recognizing me.”
During her acceptance speech, Burney shared her remarkable life story as a young black girl raised by a single mother who set her sights on becoming a journalist. Through perseverance and determination, She secured scholarships and graduated college with no student loan debt. Additionally, Melanie Burney captivated the audience by sharing the “7 Up’s of Life,” encouraging everyone to:
Wake Up– Decide to have a good day.
Dress up– The best way to dress up is with a smile.
Shut Up– Say nice things and learn to listen.
Stand Up– For what you believe.
Look Up– Look to the Lord for every need and problem.
Reach Up– For something higher
Lift Up
Other honorees of the night included Molique Wright, the Student Trailblazer Awardee, and Israel Laguer, the Dean Richard L. Jones Faculty/ Staff Impact Awardee.
“This opportunity is something we had to cultivate and create… The change we’re making in 2024 is current and alive. We tend to associate the NAACP with history and the past. The NAACP mission here at Rowan is alive and well. Whatever this chapter can do to make the world a better place, we will,” Esther Lendore, president of Rowan NAACP Chapter.
This story was produced as part of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University’s South Jersey Information Equity Project fellowship and supported with funding from the Independence Public Media Foundation.
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