Stacey Speller

✨ “The greatest gift we can give the next generation is the courage to dream and the tools to achieve.” ✨ Sometimes people think you have to leave home to make a difference in this world, but God teaches Ben and I daily that we are making an impact by raising our incredible offspring. Selina, my Afro Boriqua Queen, you are unstoppable! 💪🏽 God has blessed you with so many gifts, and as you continue to spread the light that our ancestors have passed down, the world is recognizing the love, passion, and compassion you exude. A heartfelt thank you to our village near and far, who continue to help shape her into the human God has called her to be. 🫶🏽 Suk, we couldn’t be prouder of all you’ve accomplished so far and the amazing journey ahead. We will forever nurture your spirit that fills every space you enter. Keep shining, babygirl, and neva eva fa’get - we ALWAYS do it for the culture! ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼 #cultuvue #photography #Exhibition2025 #volume2 #weareart #vernissage #openingreception #afroboriqua #blackgirlmagic #blackart #ourcommunity #thenextgeneration #hope #inspire #believe #dream #blackness #negritude #negra #fotografia #cultura #comunidad #laproximageneracion #soñar #creer #inspirar

What is a Historically Black [emerging] HSI? Tune is to learn about HBCU-HSIs, developing liberatory curriculum, empowerment pedagogies, and the support HBCUs provide to Latine students, including Afro-Latine students. Listen to “Historically Black [emerging] HSIs” at /podcast Apple Podcast: /us/podcast/historically-black-emerging-hsis/id1643313413?i=1000666541746 Spotify: /episode/0YV79q5s3Mw0AekKdQti8d?si=1ea4a4aac3e54112 YouTube: https://youtu.be/CNv6z1Ea0is?si=Q8LzQZ0QmBVxomOp #QPHseason5 Episode Description: What is a Historically Black [emerging] HSI? This episode of ¿Qué pasa, HSIs? breaks it down and delivers the message you didn’t know you needed to hear. We know that HBCUs are unapologetically Black-serving, historically and authentically, but HSIs aren’t. In this episode we talk about what HSIs can learn from HBCUs with a focus on liberatory curriculum and empowerment pedagogies. We also talk about how HBCUs are good servers to Latine students, and especially Afro-Latine students. Importantly, we talk about the complexities of being an HBCU AND an emerging HSI, and whether it is federally possible to be both. The mujeres in this platica are brilliant, empowered, and melanated! (Future) Dra. Stacey Speller is a Nuyorican doctoral student at Howard University (#HBCUOrgullo). Dra. Dwuana Bradley is an assistant professor at the USC Rossier School of Education examining the ways anti-Black sentiment perpetually undergirds the drivers and levers of federal, state, and institutional policies. Dra. Gina English Tillis is an interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner with over a decade of experience shaping educational experiences at various HSIs, HBCUs, and emerging Hispanic-serving HBCUs. Dra. Natalie Muñoz is an AfroLatina assistant professor at Rutgers University Newark’s social work department researching AfroLatine identity development, mental health equity, and educational justice. These scholar activists not only teach us about HBCU-HSIs, but model what true academic hermandad looks like.

As the nation celebrates Juneteenth, me & @ben_diesel__ babygirl - part of Daytona Beach’s 2024 Juneteenth Hometown Hero Banquet Royal Court - had the humblest opportunity to share with our home community, “What does Juneteenth mean to you?” “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). #DoJuneteenth ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻 #juneteenth #freedom #blackliberation #trainachild #power #blackgirls #blackgirlmagic #community #thenextgeneration #proudmommy #blackandpuertorican #afrolatina #askquestions #woke #confident #takeaction #empower #useyourvoice #sisepuede

One year since the defensaversary... A Sankofa moment to honor the journey, the village, and the becoming. Ubuntu: I am because we are. @bendito_bennie @bethunecookman @howardu_soe @jrburmicky @shannonrwaite5 Dr. Melanie Carter, Dr. Dwuana Bradley, Dr @queenkathleeen Dr @jessi_o_jess Dr @lexi_sharice Future Doctah @marissathornton560 Dr @arsenefred1 , Future Doctah Tracey Holmes, Future Doctah LaDan Johnson, Dr. Elijah Bratton, Dr. Qyana M. Stewart, Future Doctah @therealamack , Future Doctah @elaine.janae @aahheorg @aahhegsfp @aabhe_official To God be all the glory. #HBCUorgullo Photo cred: @dra.melynavarro graciasssss for my opening doctoraaaaa, this backdrop during my defense was errrrreeethang!!!!!🔥

Today, my heart is heavy. I’m at the airport waiting on my LS @presidential_affair to pick me up so that we can join the family, friends, and ΔΣΘ sisters in laying to rest one of our most beautiful, brilliant, talented babygirls in Delta Alpha. 🥺 Nilja—my baby girl, my #32, my first responder, La Amazona, and so much more—has left us far too soon. Losing her suddenly has shattered us all. A child of God, a wife, a mother, an entrepreneur, a devastating diva, and a shining light that brightened every room she entered. Nilja meant the world to me. I loved her fiercely, watched her grow in Delta Land and cherished the bond we shared. She and her line—our 39 IGNs—are my babies, my pride, my purpose. I am devastated, but I know that in this moment of grief, we are called to come together—just as we were taught in our process—bc we are stronger united. 🫂 To her husband, Antonio: I am here for you and Addison—now and always. You are not alone in this journey. Our sorority family, her line sisters, and I stand with you, ready to support you in every way. Addison is lucky to have you as her father, and you have a whole family in us—Delta Alpha and the entire sisterhood—who will walk beside you every step of the way. To Addison: you have a village of love around you. Your Aunties in Delta Alpha and I are here for you in every way—to love you, guide you, and hold you up as you grow. You are not alone, ever. To her entire line—my “babies,” my daughters in Delta—please know that as your mama duck, I am here for you now more than ever. We will lean on each other, hold each other up, and honor Nilja’s legacy by being there for one another. Our sisterhood is a bond that no loss can break. Nilja’s spirit, her love, and her light will forever live in our hearts. Her memory is a reminder of the power of sisterhood, love, and resilience. During this difficult time, remember: we are family. We will get through this together. To Nilja—thank you for being my baby girl. I love you beyond words. Rest peacefully and powerfully, sweet angel. Your legacy lives in us all. #GoneButNeverForgotten #DeltaAlpha #FamilyForever #Babygirl #BabyDuck32 #39IGNs #SisterhoodStrong

I became ALL👏🏽I👏🏽AM👏🏽 on an HBCU campus. Crossing into @dstinc1913 at @bethunecookman 🗣️🗣️🗣️SHOUTOUT TO @dabeautifulredz ‼️‼️‼️didn’t just give me letters — it gave me sisterhood, purpose, and a lineage that shapes every part of my life today. I know firsthand the extraordinary impact of pledging an undergraduate chapter of a Black Greek-lettered organization [BGLO] on HBCU soil. ❤️🐘 A legacy that stretches from our founders, to our charter members, and every neo who hits the yard with #orgullo. And still, there’s another piece of Greek life #HBCU history that deserves its 💐… ✨ In 2014, @lambdas1975 became the first Latino fraternity to establish an active colony on an HBCU — at @jcsuniversity . And that moment happened because of SIX trailblazers: @ocossio @yerissonc frcerrillo678 @montesdeocasergio Luis Bryan Dominguez (tag em si lo conoces) Juan Carlos Hernández Campillo (tag em si lo conoces) Their leadership expanded what belonging looks like on an HBCU campus. Their presence affirmed that Latinidad has always been part of the African diaspora and that history matters. This is EXACTLY what @hbcuorgullo is here to uplift — the stories people were never taught, the connections that were always there, and the unity we are building across Black and Brown communities. If you love Greek life… If you love HBCUs… If you love history… 👉🏽Go follow @hbcuorgullo 👈🏽 Un movimiento. Un puente. Una familia. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #HBCUorgullo #DeltaSigmaTheta #DST1913 #DeltaAlpha #DivineNine #GreekLife #Latinidad #AfroLatinidad #LambdaThetaPhi #JCSU #bethunecookman #DiasporaLove #SomosDos #HBCUPride #HBCULegacy #GreekOrgullo

#MovimientoMondays✨ 🗣️Today we honor a LEGEND in higher ed… @gospc — the ONLY institution in the entire country that is both an HBCU + an HSI. 💙🤍🐯🤍💙 A Point of Pride on San Antonio’s Eastside. A home for Black brilliance, Brown resilience, and AfroLatine spirit. A place where “both/and” lives boldly. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 St. Philip’s shows the world what happens when Black and Brown communities build, learn, and lead together. This campus is unity in motion. Historia y futuro. Orgullo in every direction. 📣If you haven’t heard about St. Philip’s College… you better ask somebody. Esto es HBCUorgullo. Un movimiento. Un puente. Una familia. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 #HBCUorgullo #StPhilipsCollege #HBCUHSI #AfroLatinidad #Latinidad #SanAntonio #PuntoDeOrgullo #SomosDos #DiasporaLove #HBCUs #HSIs

In this clip, Doctora @mizzspeller introduces us to the HB-HSI designation and explains why we must prioritize Black in the title. Listen to “Historically Black [emerging] HSIs” at /podcast /podcast/episode/9c88daa9/historically-black-emerging-hsis Apple Podcast: /us/podcast/historically-black-emerging-hsis/id1643313413?i=1000666541746 Spotify: /episode/0YV79q5s3Mw0AekKdQti8d?si=1ea4a4aac3e54112 YouTube: https://youtu.be/CNv6z1Ea0is?si=Q8LzQZ0QmBVxomOp #HBCU #HBCUs #HB-HSI

🔥 New week, new playlist! Managing Multiple Designations 🎧 Navigating AANAPISI & HSI Dual Designation with Mike Hoa Nguyen 🎧 Historically Black [emerging] HSIs with Stacey Speller, Dwuana Bradley, Gina Tillis, and Natalie Muñoz 🎧 Solidarity Across Multiple MSI Designations with Kristine Jan Cruz Espinoza Managing Multiple Designations There are two-types of MSIs, mission-based and enrollment-based, with HBCUs and Tribally Controlled Colleges & Universities falling into the first category, and AANAPISIs, HSIs, Predominantly Black Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Native American Serving-Nontribal Institutions, and the new California-specific category of Black-Serving Institutions falling into the latter category of enrollment-based. There are approximately 800 MSIs in 2025, yet this number is growing as more students of color enroll in college. Simultaneously, the number of dual and multiple designated MSIs has grown significantly, with a 46.5% increase in dual designated MSIs from 2017 to 2024. There is a growing need for more leadership and policy changes to address the rise of dual and multiple designated MSIs. Moreover, institutions with dual or multiple designations must engage in deeper, more intentional relationship-building and collaboration across MSI classifications, recognizing shared oppressions and possibilities for collective action. Tune in to the episodes: /podcast @ginaanngarcia Love the podcast? Got ideas for what’s next? Take our quick feedback survey and help shape future episodes. bit.ly/QPHsurvey #QPHsummer #ServingnessSummer #HigherEd #HigherEducation #HSIs #HSIservingness #QuePasaHSIs #HispanicServingInstitutions #college #servingness #higheredpodcast #Latino #Latinx #Latina #Latine

Today, I stand humbled, overwhelmed with gratitude, and so full of love as I reflect on this monumental day—my dissertation defense. WE DID IT. 🌟 To my village, both those who were present with me and those who couldn’t tune in—thank you. The work is just beginning. The ancestors are smiling down on us, and we carry their legacy forward. Hoy es para mis antepasados y las generaciones futuras. 🌍 Today is for the ones who paved the way, and for those who will follow. As I stand here, a proud Afro-Nuyorican scholar with a completed PhD from La Mecca - H-U; I can’t help but reflect on the path that brought me here. God has been with me every step of the way, guiding my purpose. I am His vessel. 🙏🏽 I’m deeply humbled by this achievement, but I know that it is not about me—it’s about service to the communities I am called to. I will continue to serve HBCUs and Latinidad, the way God intends me to—by pushing boundaries, creating space, and uplifting voices that have been too long silenced. I am ready for what's next. A lifelong commitment to education, advocacy, and unity. Again, mil gracias a todos for being part of this incredible journey. Nosotros somos la misión. We are the mission. Nosotros somos HBCUorgullo. We are #HBCUorgullo.

LA HORA LLEGÓ 🎉 Familia, the time has finally come. After 3 years, 8 months, & 4 days of hard work, soul-searching, and lots of love, my dissertation defense is mañana! Words cannot express enough how deeply personal this journey has been for me. But I'm finna try.... As an 'HBCU Nuyorican', my research es más que un estudio—it’s MEsearch. It's part of who I am & what God has called me to do. This is my life’s work! My study explores how institutional leaders at HBCU-HSIs make sense of their racialized dual identity—how they make sense of the opportunities/challenges of being both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) & Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). While I’ve been blessed with transformational collaborators whose voices breathed life into this study & whose insights provided deep meaning units (data), this work goes deeper. It’s about understanding the power dynamics that continue to shape our educational institutions, & how these policies disproportionately impact institutions serving Black, hashtag#Afrolatine, & hashtag#Latine students. It's about shifting the narrative from either/or to both/and—because WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER! 🫱🏿‍🫲🏽 I dedicate this work to every Black, Afrolatine, and/or Latine student who has been part of an hashtag#HBCU or will be in the future. You are seen, you are valued, & you most certainly belong. Through hashtag#HBCUorgullo, I’m committed to building a bridge that connects our Afrolatine/Latine and Black communities through education, policy, & advocacy. I’m just a vessel, and this study is just the beginning. I couldn’t be more excited to share my heart and my work with all of you. 🖤 Please join me in just 24 hours for my defense, as you'll witness how this research is not just a reflection of our history, but also our future. Let's celebrate the power of community and solidarity at our sacred hashtag#HBCUs. Mil gracias to my village for your endless support. 🌍✨ I'll see y'all in the Zoom room! 🤓 Ubuntu: ¡yo soy, porque tú eres! hashtag#BurningSandz🔥 Join Zoom Meeting https://lnkd.in/enFfhWTF Meeting ID: 891 3431 1606 Passcode: 51266295

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