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How A Mosquito Changed A College Student’s Life

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Jamaica is more than 1,400 miles from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a HBCU favorite among students from southern and midwestern states. But, a science contest on the island nation popular with tourists served as the catalyst for a young aspiring medical physicist’s introduction to the academic landmark.

“I found out about the competition two weeks before the deadline. Other schools had months to prepare,” recalls Nikolai Knight. He and his cousin zeroed in on nutmeg-based products to fight the Zika virus.

Knight explains that nutmeg has antimicrobial and antifungal properties which prevent the plant from being infested by pests.

“The Zika virus is spread through mosquito larvae. I thought I could extract the natural oils from the nutmeg to create products to combat the spread of the larvae, he said. His hunch paid off, and Knight and his cousin, Huddoy Walters, attracted the attention of UAPB.

Years later, Knight still beams at the excitement he felt, calling it “the best moment of my life.” He continued, “I have a high appreciation of learning and knowledge and the fact that I could use this knowledge to create something tangible that could benefit society is exciting to me.”

The same intensity Knight demonstrated in high school traveled to Arkansas with him. He distinguished himself academically right away, earning the distinction as the HBCU All-Star for the University which means he serves as the liaison between the Department of Education and UAPB.

The White House invited Knight and the HBCU All-Stars to the nation’s capital last year. Knight met Education Secretary Betsy Devos, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, and former White House staffer, Omarosa Manigault.

Knight is effusive when he recalls the generosity of the staffer for the White House Initiative on HBCUs, Elise Jones. “Elise did everything for us. She was perfect. Her mother even volunteered to help, and they made the experience worth it,” Knight says.

A slim, lanky young man with a megawatt smile, Knight spreads his praise to his new home, UAPB.

“I love them. I feel like a family here. People know me by name. When there is an opportunity they believe I qualify for, they tell me,” he says. And, as if his good fortune seemed too much to keep, Knight added, “They offer me snacks. I love every one of them, and I need to find a way to show my appreciation.”

“Nikolai is a very ambitious, outgoing young man,” says Yulanda Riley, an education counselor with the University’s Career Services department. “He’s always seeking to learn more and improve on whatever he feels he is lacking.”

When Nikolai graduates, he plans to remain stateside.

“I’m still young, and I am planning to pursue a doctorate, but academia isn’t enough,” he says. “And, there aren’t enough research institutes in Jamaica.”

Much to the delight of those who know him, it appears the young man who created a product to fight dangerous mosquito bites will continue his mission to combat disease in his adopted country.

Black History

Trump Signs Executive Orders That Will Impact HBCUs and Black Schoolchildren

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will provide support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and establish a White House Initiative on HBCUs to “deliver high-quality education to a growing number of students.”

According to the White House, the Initiative will help develop private-sector partnerships, institutional development and workforce preparation in technology, health care, manufacturing and finance. 

The president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dr. Harry L. Williams said, “Today’s executive order serves as strong reaffirmation of President Trump’s support of investment of historically Black colleges and universities. This executive order should serve as a call-to-action for corporations, foundations, members of Congress and state lawmakers to redouble their efforts to support HBCUs and their students. TMCF looks forward to continued engagement with the administration and Congress to deliver results for HBCUs and the students they serve via appropriations and other legislative actions.”

On the same day, Trump signed another executive order that removes safeguards for African American schoolchildren by eliminating an Obama-era initiative to protect Black schoolchildren from excessive disciplinary action.

During the Obama administration, the first Black president’s administration created guidelines that sought to prevent school discipline from having a disproportionate effect on minority students. Trump revoked the civil rights initiative during his first term and Biden did not formally restore it. 

At his signing today, Trump said his decision was especially important to the current Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who held the signed order.

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, schools were forced to consider equity and inclusion when imposing discipline,” McMahon said in a statement. “Their policies placed racial equity quotas over student safety – encouraging schools to turn a blind eye to poor or violent behavior in the name of inclusion.”

She added, “Disciplinary decisions should be based solely on students’ behavior and actions.

Studies show that Black students are punished more often than their white counterparts.

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President Jimmy Carter Appointed the First Black Woman to Lead a Federal Agency

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President Jimmy Carter advanced opportunities for African Americans throughout his life,
advocating for justice and peace consistent with the Christian values he embraced. Since his
death on December 29 at age 100, Mr. Carter’s praises have been sung from his home state of
Georgia to points around the globe. And while the former president’s one-term in the White
House is dismissed by some political pundits for a lack of policies or accomplishments that
changed the course of history, his character and integrity set him apart.


Carter became the first president to appoint a Black woman head of a federal agency. He chose
Patricia Roberts Harris to lead the Housing and Urban Development when he took office in
1977.


Harris said, “I feel deeply proud and grateful this President chose me to knock down this barrier, but also a little sad about being the ‘first Negro woman,’ because it implies we were not
considered before.”


Senator William Proxmire questioned Carter’s choice, saying Harris came from too much wealth and influence to be an effective leader. But Carter stood by his decision, and Harris stayed in the position for two years.


The 39th president’s name is also included on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.


Civil rights activist, Rev. Al Sharpton recalled a conversation he shared with Carter.


“It was very significant, I was talking there at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, and I was talking to President Clinton and President Carter,” Sharpton recalled. “And when Clinton and I finished talking, President Carter touched me on my arm and said, ‘How are you doing with your ministry, Al? I see you out there with your activism. Don’t leave your ministry … keep your prayer life going.’ And you could tell he sincerely meant it. He was not one who talked about his religion as a political kind of something you could say to voters.”


President Joe Biden declared January 9, 2025, a national day of mourning. Millions watched the former president’s funeral on television as he was remembered as a man of honesty,
compassion and faith – which included championing the rights of Americans who knew firsthand the struggle of injustice

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Black History

The Congressional Black Caucus Prepares for “Important” Work

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The Congressional Black Caucus started the 119th Congress with its largest membership. There were 62 members sworn in today.

“On behalf of the entire Congressional Black Caucus, congratulations to the members of the Executive Committee of the 119th Congress. 53 years after our Caucus’ founding, our work to improve the lives and conditions of Black people in America is more important than ever before,” said CBC President Steven Horsford.

Photo Credit: Ron Busby, U.S. Black Chambers Inc.

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