Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, the Twentieth of May Two Thousand and Twenty-Three Two in the afternoon
Big Bethel A.M.E Church 220 Auburn Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30303
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chairman, Board of Trustees
Kevin E. James, Ed.D., President
Rev. John Foster, Ph.D., Host Pastor, Big Bethel A.M.E Church
Nzinga “Zing” Shaw joined The Recording Academy|GRAMMYS in 2023, serving as a member of the executive leadership team in the capacity of Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Officer. She reports to the CEO and leads the company’s DEI Center of Excellence, focused to enable a more engaged global workforce, creating enhanced platforms to recognize the diverse array of musicians, songwriters, producers, recording engineers, and supports a more inclusive culture to best position the Academy to drive financial growth in underserved markets. Shaw supports all Academy affiliates including GRAMMY Museum, MusiCares, Latin Recording Academy, Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, and GRAMMY Global Ventures. Additionally, she is a global DEI speaker represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading speaker’s bureau that offers a comprehensive roster of the most acclaimed speaker clients whose topics include business, cultural commentary, print and broadcast media, wellness and inspiration, and the arts and entertainment.
Shaw has been recognized with numerous “40 Under 40” awards from the likes of Sports Business Journal, Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Network Journal, and PR Week. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Fisk University, the Board of Directors of ColorComm, the Board of Advisors of Arctos Sports Partners, the Board of Directors of The Veritas School of Social Sciences, a global advisor to Velocity Global and Tempus-Ex, and she was appointed by 39th United States President Jimmy Carter to serve a six-year term on the Board of Councilors of The Carter Center. Shaw is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, The Links Incorporated, Young President’s Organization (YPO), and a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and Leadership Tomorrow (Seattle)
Shaw received her Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College. She was a study abroad scholar at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at Fisk University and teaches in the Honors Program in the John R. Lewis Social Justice Institute. In her free time, Shaw enjoys interior design, international travel, cooking and spending time with her husband Keith and three children, Lacy, Hudson, and Trey.
For six-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, Tamia, “Music is just a part of me and everything I do, every step that I take.” The Canadian-born vocal powerhouse has lived by that mantra for a career spanning over two decades and solidifying her as one of the most recognizable voices in R&B music.
Tamia’s voice has become synonymous with the new definition of soul and spawned hits like ‘You Put A Move On My Heart’, ‘Stranger in My House’, Officially Missing You, ‘So Into You’ (later re-recorded with Fabolous in 2003), and the 2012 hit single ‘Beautiful Surprise’.
Tamia’s first big break came when she collaborated with celebrated music producer Quincy Jones on the classic album Q’s Jook Joint in 1998, followed by the release of her self-titled debut. The debut album earned her two Grammy nominations; Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for ‘You've Put A Move On My Heart;’ Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group with Vocal for "Slow Jams" featuring Babyface, and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for her work with Brandy, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan on the single ‘Missing You’ from the Set It Off soundtrack. Tamia’s star continued to rise in early 2000 after winning an NAACP Image Award for her charttopping collaboration with fellow R&B singer Eric Benet, Spend My Life With You, which was also nominated for a Grammy award that year. As anticipated, Tamia’s next few albums would be brimming with timeless music that perfectly encapsulated her unforgettable vocal abilities.
A modern-day woman and matriarch, Tamia balances her artistry and career with being a supportive wife to husband and NBA Hall of Famer, Grant Hill and a loving mother to her two daughters. Together, Tamia and her husband created The Grant Hill and Tamia Foundation where they continue to be recognized for their philanthropic involvement with several charities. Tamia is also the founder of Plus 1 Music Group, which successfully released three studio albums Between Friends, Greatest Hits and Beautiful Surprise.
Tamia’s beautifully crafted sound is a reflection of her many inspirations and her innate ability to master genres from R&B and neo soul, to gospel, jazz and hip-hop soul. Tamia states that “After 20 years I continue to be inspired by the places I visit and the people I meet, which allows me to include a piece of my experiences in the art I create.”
Presiding
Prelude Dr Adrian Ford, ’14
*Processional Dr. Adrian Ford, ’14
Invocation
Rev. Dr Perry Simmons, Jr., ’70 Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church
Hymn Morris Brown College Commencement Choir
Directed by Dr. James Anthony Plenty "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
Greetings Dr. Kevin E. James President
Musical Selection Morris Brown College Commencement Choir
Directed by Dr. James Anthony Plenty “Psalm 23"
Introduction of Commencement Speaker Dr. Kevin E. James President
Commencement Address
Presentation of Honorary Graduate
Mrs. Nzinga Shaw
Chief DEI Officer at The Recording Academy
Mrs. Tamia Marilyn Hill
MBC Class of 2023 Honorary Graduate
Musical Selection Morris Brown College Commencement Choir
Directed by Dr. James Anthony Plenty “Made a Way"
Authorization to Confer Degrees
Presentation of Class of 2023 and Conferring of Degrees
Dr. Reginald T. Jackson Chairman, Board of Trustees
Dr. Kevin E. James President
Dr. Anthony B. Johnson
Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mr. Donovan McKelvey Registrar
National Alumni Association Induction
Response Class of 2023
Mr. Antwan L. Walker, ’02 Vice President of National Alumni Association
Mr. Walter Lawson, ’23
Valedictorian, MBC Class of 2023 Vice President
Mr. Walter Jordan, ’23
Salutatorian, MBC Class of 2023 President
Musical Selection
Presentation of the MBC Faculty of the Year Award
Mr. James Pullin Jr., ’23 "To God Be The Glory"
Dr. Anthony B. Johnson
Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Presentation of the MBC Institutional Leadership Award
Presentation of Alumni Reunion Class
Dr. Anthony B. Johnson
Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mr. Todd Blackburn, ’90, ’17
Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement Director of Alumni Affairs
Alma Mater Morris Brown College Commencement Choir
Directed by Dr. James Anthony Plenty
Words by Milton Randolph
Music by E. Waymon Hathcock
Benediction Rev. Dr. John Foster, Sr.
Pastor, Big Bethel AME Church
Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements
*Recessional
Dr. Kevin E. James President
*Audience please stand for Processional and remain seated for Recessional
Lift every voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chast'ning rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land.
Alma Mater, pride of earth, Gav’st to me another birth, Haven for all hungry souls, Feeding them shall be Thy goal, Ever let thy banner be, Emblem of the brave and free, A welcome true to everyone, Until Thy work be done.
Hail to Thee, maker of men, Honor to Thee once again, Sacred truths on firmest ground, Hail to Thee. Dear Morris Brown. To thy precepts praise accord. To them may we e’er be bound, And bow and thank, the gracious Lord, For dear ol’ Morris Brown.
Words by: Milton Randolph Music by: C. Waymon Hathcock
Student
Major
Chad Brown General Studies
Kerri Coleman-Benton*
Terri Coleman Randolph*
General Studies
General Studies
Airrianna King** Music
Brandon Morton General Studies
James Pullin* General Studies
Alexandria Robinson* General Studies
Julian Ross** Music
Major
Mary Crosby*
Organizational Management and Leadership
Kamri Fowler* Psychology
Sharon Gray**
Candace Holmes**
Bridgett Horton
Asia Hutchings**
Walter Jordan****
Walter Lawson*****
Organizational Management and Leadership
Organizational Management and Leadership
Organizational Management and Leadership
Organizational Management and Leadership
Organizational Management and Leadership
Organizational Management and Leadership
Claudette Ruiz Psychology
Taylor Thomas** Psychology
Johari Willis* Psychology
Valedictorian *****, Salutatorian ****, Summa Cum Laude ***, Magna Cum Laude **, Cum Laude *
50th Golden Reunion Class of 1973
Participatingclassmembersinprocessionalasof5/15/2023
Mr. Eugene Alford
Mr. Alphonso W. Atkins
Mr. James Atkinson
Dr. Shirley M. Barlow
Mrs. Ruth Lyles- Bailey
Mr. Levi Golphin, Jr.
Mrs. Gail Barnes-Goodwin
Dr. Cassandra Houston Harris
Mrs. Cornelia Thomas Jordan
Mr. David W. Lewis
Mrs. Geraldine Laney London
Ms. Meatrice D. Maize
Mrs. Margy Mitchell
Ms. Joshulyn Parks McClinic
Dr. Rosemerry Noble-A. Nelson
Mrs. Sharon George Phillips
Dr. Annette Ramey-Waller
Mrs. Cynthia Rhodes Rayford
Mrs. Juanita Mention Smith
Ms. Phyliss Smith
Board Of Directors
Andre Williams, Chair, ’01
Miya Gray, Vice Chair
Steve Julal, CPA, Treasurer
Twanda Turner-Hill, Secretary
Sharon F. M. Bridges, Esq., ’87, Parliamentarian
Elizabeth “Liz” Broadway Brown, Esq., General Counsel
Dr. Kevin E. James, 19th President, Morris Brown College
Roderick Glass
Tene Taylor
Dr. LaGarrett J. King
Tanya Boyle, Esq.
Duwalu Khasu
Greg Crane
Mark Moore Jr.
Justin Samuels
Wayne Martin
Sulean Carruthers
Shawn Hazel
Adam Phyall
Jeffery Batiste
Sedric Ross
Ms.VictoriaW.Jenkins,AssociateProfessorandLibrarianEmerita
Mr.CleopasJohnson,AssistantProfessorandDirectorofBands Emeritus(Posthumously)
11. Dr.MarvinR.King,Sr.,DirectorofTRIOProgramsEmeritus
12. Mrs.MerlissieR.Middleton,ProfessorEmerita(Posthumously)
13. Dr.CharlesW.Moore,VicePresidentforFiscalAffairsEmeritus 14. Dr.BeatrizMoralisFaba,AssociateProfessorEmerita
15. Dr.TshilemalemaL.Mukenge,ProfessorEmeritus 16. Dr.WillieF.Payne,ProfessorEmeritus(Deceased)
17. Dr.JamesH.Penn,ProfessorEmeritus(Posthumously)
18. Dr.HenryPorter,AssistantProfessorEmeritus 19. Dr.LeeA.Ransaw,ProfessorEmeritus 20. AttorneyWilliamH.Sheppard,AssociateProfessorEmeritus 21. Dr.JeanneM.Stahl,ProfessorandDirectorofResearchTraining Emerita
Mr. Todd G. Blackburn, ’90, ’17 – Co-Chair
Mr. Donovan McKelvey – Co-Chair
Dr. James Freddy Allen
Dr. Shirley M. Barlow, ’73
Ms. Nichelle Cook, Esq.
Ms. Brandy Gray, ’18
Mrs. Stephanie Gunby
Ms. Parlar Halley
Dr. James Plenty
Mr. William Vickers, ’78
Mrs. Devonne McKenzie, Chair
Mr. Algeron Bob, ’27
Ms. Knitreyas Brooks, ’27
Ms. Jarai Boykins, ’24, Miss MBC
Ms. Jordyn Clements, ’25
Mrs. Ashley Macklin Davis, ’24
Ms. Takeisha Farmer, ’25
Mr. Kevin Ford, ’26
Mrs. Lynn Hampton, ’25
Mr. Shawn Hampton, ’25
Ms. Manisha Holiday, ’26
Ms. Nikki Lemons, ’24
Ms. Tonie Washington, ’24
Mr. Whit Whitaker, ’24
Ms. Shantia Whitfield, ’26
Ms. Martha Williams, ’25
Ms. Tiffany Wright, ’26
Dr. Yaw Adoo, Mace Bearer
Dr. Malcom Devoe
Dr. James Plenty
Dr. Daniel Upchurch
Dr. Shirley M. Barlow, ’73
Dr. Nasrolah Farokhi
Ms. Nichelle Cook, Esq.
Ms. Kimberly Benion
Ms. Shakera Cheston
Dr. Juanita Hoke
Dr. David E. Jackson
Dr. Lynn Jones
Dr. Glenn King, Jr.
Dr. Yvette Love
Mr. Jody Mayfield, ’18
Dr. Damon McCoy
Mr. M.C. Moore
Dr. Ralpheal Moore
Ms. Sandra Smith
Dr. Kevin E. James, President
Dr. Anthony B. Johnson, Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ms. Shermanetta Carter, CPA, ’94, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Todd Blackburn, ’90, ’17, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement/Director of Alumni Affairs
Dr. Rashad Richey, Director of Institutional Advancement & Corporate Relations
Dr. Kristi Garrett, Assistant Provost, Executive Director, Online Learning
Mrs. Stephanie Gunby, MBA, - Associate Vice President of Administration, Director of Financial Aid
Dr. James Freddy Allen, Associate Vice President of Enrollment & Student Services
Mr. Jerome Rowland, ’97, Director of Campus Operations/Human Resources
Ms. Nichelle Cook, Esq., Special Assistant to the President
Mrs. Devonne McKenzie, Director of Student Services/Enrollment Specialist
Ms. Sandra Patman, ’07 Assistant to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement/Director of Alumni Affairs
Mrs. Parlar Halley, Financial Aid Advisor
Ms. Shakera Cheston, CHOICE Project Coordinator/Lead Navigator
Ms. Lakia Goodman, CPA, Controller
Mr. Donovan McKelvey, Registrar
Dr. Yaw Adoo, Chair, Department of Business; Business Faculty
Dr. James Plenty, Chair, Department of Music; Music Faculty
Dr. Daniel Upchurch, Chair, Department of Psychology; Psychology Faculty
Dr. Malcom Devoe, Chair, Department of General Studies & Liberal Arts; General Studies Faculty
Dr. Nasrolah Farokhi, Faculty (Tenured)
Ms. Brandy Gray, ’18, Registrar Specialist
Mr. William Vickers, ’78, Registrar Specialist
Mr. Carlton White, Security
Mr. Calvin Pender, Facilities and Maintenance
Morris Brown College was founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the basement of Big Bethel A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, Georgia. On Founders Day, March 17, 2023, the institution commemorated one hundred and forty-two (142) years of continuous operation as an educational institution committed to providing its students with a nurturing environment that supports achievement of their academic goals; thereby, positioning them to become significantly contributing citizens in our most challenging global society.
As a tree is known by the fruit that it bears, so is an educational institution known by its graduates who make the most prolific statement of the achievement of its mission. Morris Brown College’s statement of authenticity is very clear, for its graduates are significant contributors to every facet of our society, both near and far. Because of its excellent academic programs and nurturing environment, students select Morris Brown College as the institution at which they “choose” to pursue achievement of their goal of a college degree. Morris Brown College grants the Bachelor of Science Degree in four major disciplines: Global Management and Applied Leadership, Hospitality Management, Organizational Management and Leadership and Psychology. Morris Brown College also grants the Bachelor of Arts degree in two major disciplines: General Studies and Music. Morris Brown College also offers certificates in Nonprofit Management, Business Entrepreneurship, and eSports Performance.
Morris Brown College appreciates and solicits the continuing support of its alumni and friends, the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the broader community.
Historically, the mace was originated and first used in Egypt, where it represented creativity, achievement, and assertiveness. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a weapon in war. Today, however, the mace represents deputized authority and dignity. The Morris Brown College mace was designed using the geometry of the tower of Fountain Hall as basis of its construction. The shaft is rounded and perfectly supported by the four-sided tower. The bottom is a spherical pyramid featuring the Morris Brown College official seal with the Latin Words, Deo Ac Veritati, meaning To God and Truth.
The mace is constructed entirely from solid rosewood, which was chosen because of its darkness, elegance, and enduring beauty. The Morris Brown College seal and all mounts are made with 24KT Gold plating material. The 38.25” spiral mace staff is displayed on an inverted scallop foot vertical mace stand. The mace has been designed to symbolize both the College’s past and future.
Morris Brown College’s retired mace (which was damaged in a fire) was created when an architecture student at Morris Brown, Petur Ingi Arnarson designed the mace on the occasion of the Inauguration of the 14th President, Dr. Samuel D. Jolley, Jr. The current mace was designed by Medal Craft Mint Inc., (a Wisconsin based company founded in 1948) and instituted during the Dr. Kevin E. James administration. The most well-known and prestigious academic institutions of the world trust Medal Craft Mint Inc. to represent their respective storied histories with the treasured symbol of the mace.
Morris Brown College is a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) [15935 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551; Telephone: (434) 525-9539; email: info@tracs.org], having been awarded Accredited Status as a Category II institution by the TRACS Accreditation Commission on April 26, 2022. This status is effective for a period of up to five years. TRACS is recognized by the United States Department of Education (ED), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).
Morris Brown College is authorized as an institute of higher learning by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC), which authorizes and regulates the operations of in-state nonpublic and out-ofstate postsecondary colleges and schools operating or offering instruction in Georgia.
SPECIAL THANKS TO Rev. John Foster, Ph.D. and Big Bethel A.M.E Church
