Daytona Beach's Black College Reunion Now Just A Shell Of What It Once Was!

Host of Factors Deflates BCR

Black College Reunion entered the world in 1984 as a gathering of African American students mainly from Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M universities. Crowds grew bigger over the years. An estimated 75,000 came in 1992 and 125,000 in 1995.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to remember Black College Reunion. Respect the corpse, please, because this bad boy is officially DOA.

Traffic gridlock snarling Atlantic Avenue and vehicles clogged routes to the beachside. Beachside residents relentless complaints of rowdiness. Visitors deriding the poor treatment from businesses -- some of which closed during the event -- and a tense, intimidating police presence. Want more reasons why the place to be is now just a memory?

Tensions resulting from the BTR hit a peak in 1998 when a gun-wielding Orlando man was shot dead and four law enforcement officers were wounded as they attempted to arrest him.

With the party now only a shadow of its former boisterous self, we asked who -- or what -- is killing BCR. As Bethune-Cookman University senior Keon Williams said of BCR, "It just doesn't attract me."

After Black Entertainment Television moved its show to South Florida in 2006, attendance has dipped and fell below 10,000 in 2007. This weekend's gathering was small again.

So, if the annual event's downward slide can be attributed to a fickle fan base, many wonder if there weren't some contributing factors. We take a look at a few of those most commonly cited.

The story continues...

CARRANZA ENTERS INTO NOT GUILTY PLEA IN BRUTAL EXECUTION STYLE MURDERS OF BLACK NEWARK COLLEGE STUDENTS

Jose Carranza is one of two individuals currently being accused of killing in cold blood three college students at an elementary school out of Newark.

According to Fox News, Carranza has just stood before a judge and entered into a not guilty plea.

The latest twist on this horrific crime out of New Jersey is that this 28-year-old, who will remain in custody on bail set at one million dollars, is actually here ILLEGALLY!!!!

Indicted twice, including a 31 count charge of witness intimidation and aggravated assault on a 5-year-old child believed to have been repeatedly raped, media reports are now indicating that Carranza is actually a citizen of Peru.

With a fake and forged social security card, this cat should not even be here from the jump!

A Latino immigrant accused of taking the lives of innocent citizens, particularly young African-Americans trying to better themselves by going to college, will only add fire to the raging debate about illegal immigrants destroying this country.

Across the U.S., Black-Latino tensions are building family, and this powder keg is going to explode unless we start getting proactive.

PRINCIPAL COLEMAN: HI I'M LEROY AND I'M A SEX ADDICT

Dr. Leroy Coleman, 55, is the school principal who -- along with a former eighth grade teacher, Janet Lofton -- starred in an X-rated DVD secretly taped and sent to students' parents. (Full Story HERE, Ignore Mr. T to the left)

This past Monday, the father of two apologized for hurting his wife of 30 years while defending his reputation. "The video does not reflect that I am a compassionate, hardworking and successful administrator," but "It does say that I am human and I have weaknesses," Coleman told reporters.

This brother's attempt to pose as a hardworking Black middle school educator seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Many believe the scandal resulted in all three of the Black incumbents in the suburban Chicago school district being replaced with White opponents.

Admittedly, the challengers didn't force the disgraced, wannabe superintendent to play to sexual stereotypes. If this was some nefarious ploy to kill off either him or supportive Black school board members, then Coleman simply slit his own wrists.

Like Bill Clinton or even Halle Berry's ex, singer Eric Bonet, his inability to deal with what's clearly the real issue cost brother Coleman his career, his reputation, and possibly, his family.

A beat down in this case is still - unquestionably - in order. If Leroy Coleman aspires to truly inspire his impressionable students, however, he must except blame for all the harmed he caused, grieve the loss, and commit to getting healthy by any means necessary.

Otherwise, it's just a matter of time before Coleman's back in the news - this time facing criminal charges for something that won't be sustainable simply by claims of infallibility, racism or dirty politics.

We've Seen Enough Of You For Awhile Dr. Coleman!

THE IMUS DEBATE ON OPRAH: HIP HOP MOGUL RUSSELL SIMMONS JUST DOESN'T GET IT!!!!!

STOP CO-SIGNING ON ARTISTS CALLING FEMALES BITCHES & HO'S

STOP CO-SIGNING ON ARTISTS CALLING FEMALES BITCHES & HO'S

STOP CO-SIGNING ON ARTISTS CALLING FEMALES BITCHES & HO'S

STOP CO-SIGNING ON ARTISTS CALLING FEMALES BITCHES & HO'S

STOP CO-SIGNING ON ARTISTS CALLING FEMALES BITCHES & HO'S
STOP CO-SIGNING ON ARTISTS CALLING FEMALES BITCHES & HO'S

THIS AFFECTS YOUR WOMAN, YOUR GIRLS, YOUR LIFE

RUSSELL, IT AIN'T ROCKET SCIENCE!

For a Sistah's POV, click here.

TECH MURDERER: YOU DID THIS TO ME!

DISTURBING NOTE LEFT BEHIND BY CHO SEUNG-HUI [ABC]

BLACK MALE WITH 4.0 GPA ONE OF FIRST VICTIMS IN TECH TRAGEDY

One of the shooter’s first two victims, a resident advisor at West Ambler Johnston dormitory, was African American student Ryan Clark. Nicknamed "Stack", he was only one month away from graduation before 23 year-old fellow senior Cho Seung-Hui silenced his dreams.

Clark was described by the Collegiate Times as a student from Martinez, Georgia who had three majors, and a 4.0 GPA with plans to obtain his Phd in Psychology.

Ryan, who has a fraternal twin brother, was also a baritone member of "The Marching Virginian's" school band, and as one cheerleading student stated, "He was a true Hokie who epitomized what we stood for."

Details Here.

REST IN PEACE RYAN "STACK" CLARK

THREE BROTHERS AND A SISTER JOIN THE NATION IN MOURNING & PRAYER

"Today, we are a grieving and shocked nation. Violence has once again taken too many young people from this world. In Blacksburg, they were daughters. They were sons. They were our nation's new leaders.

We mourn them. We will miss them, and we pray for their families and the injured fighting for their lives." ~Barack Obama

Blacksburg's St. Paul AME Open Over Next 72 Hours To Help Students Cope.

More News Here.

33 DEAD AT VIRGINIA TECH MASSACRE!!!

RAMPAGE:

AT LEAST 29 WOUNDED

Students Shot In Their Classes

University Recently University Recently Received Bomb Threats

SCHOOL CLOSED - REOPENS TUESDAY

BUT NO CLASSES SCHEDULED

Student Population (Approx. 26,000)

WORST SLAUGHTER (NOT JUST ON A CAMPUS) IN U.S. HISTORY!

Gunmen Killed Himself: Heavily Armed Asian In His 20's Went From Room To Room Firing - "Blood Was Everywhere!"

Updates Here.

Statement by Virginia Tech Pres. Charles Steger [Here]