Prairie
View A&M University's National Alumni Association Elects
New President
Clem Daniels,
President Elect
Prairie View A&M University Alumni Association
Oakland,
CA (BlackNews.com) - The National Alumni Association of
Prairie View A & M University, the second oldest land grant
institute in Texas, elected Clem Daniels as its newest president.
Mr. Daniels accepted the post at the annual conference in
Los Angeles, California in July. A long time resident of Oakland,
CA, Mr. Daniels will serve a two-year term heading a national
alumni base of over 46,000 Prairie View graduates.
Established 130 years ago,
Prairie View is located in the college town of Prairie View,
Texas and has an enrollment of 8700 students. Mr. Daniels
graduated in 1959 after a stellar academic and very distinguished
athletic career. He signed as a free agent to play professional
football and enjoyed a most successful career as a star running
back for the Oakland Raiders. Mr. Daniels still ranks third
all-time in total yardage in Raider history.
Mr.
Daniels established many entrepreneurial ties in Oakland
before retiring from football to operate several successful
businesses in the Bay Area. He quickly came to the forefront
of the business community when, during the turbulent
years of the civil rights struggles, he became the state
president of the powerful Cal Pac Trade Association
that governed all of the beverage stores, and restaurants
owned by African Americans in the State of California.
As a civic leader his business and political acumen
proved to be an invaluable asset to the African American
business community.
Mr. Daniels states, "Coming from the private business
sector, I bring a different mode of thought to the table
- that numbers count. Therefore, we must involve every
alum across this nation and bring them to the forefront
and together we must become more judicial in the spending
of our dollars. To that end - our new advocacy shall
be Support those who support you and first we must come
together and support ourselves."
Prairie View's legacy as a Historically Black Institution
stands as a living monument of productivity, giving
rise to some of the best-qualified people in every walk
of life. Some might say that Black institutions have
outlived their usefulness and that diversity must prevail.
While Mr. Daniels certainly believes in diversity, he
states, "I do not believe that our culture as a Historically
Black Institution must be minimized in the process.
The education and cultural awareness of our African
American youth must always be a major priority. One
only has to witness the systemic destruction within
any metropolitan city across this land to bear witness
to the needs: The ill-direction, lack of funding, diminished
educational systems, lack of civic pride and hopelessness,
to name just a few. If we are to re-establish a sound
basis for redevelopment, rebuilding and rebirth in the
areas I mentioned above, Our Historically Black Colleges
and Universities must play a pivotal role."
He continues, "This is why I ran for the presidency.
The problem is neither Black nor white. The problem
is an American problem that began a long time ago. There
are those who might say they have done enough. To those,
I remind you that for 350 years, my people were totally
institutionalized in bondage and I can personally remember
when it was against the law for me to walk in the front
door of the public library and check out a book to read.
While I was one of the fortunate few who made it in
spite of circumstances. There were many who did not."
"All
Black folk can't sing, dance, act or play professional
sports. The overwhelming majority must prepare to own
their own businesses or go out and get a job. Prairie
View and other Historically Black Institutions must
play a vital role in that endeavor."
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