THE FOUNDERS’ DAY SPEAKER

Mrs. Lisa Smith

Lisa J. Smith is Senior Vice President for Region External Affairs and Community Engagement for Georgia Power.

In this role, Lisa leads Georgia Power’s statewide external efforts to serve its 2.7 million customers by strategically partnering with local governments, development authorities, chambers of commerce, charitable entities, and other stakeholders across Georgia. She also is responsible for leading the company’s employee volunteer and giving efforts and fostering the company’s relationships in historically underserved communities.

Most recently, Lisa served as Vice President of Community and Economic Development for Georgia Power where she led a team responsible for recruiting new business to Georgia, as well as supporting community development and workforce development initiatives. Previously, as Vice President for the West Region for Georgia Power, Lisa was directly responsible for the company’s external activities for 550,000 customers across a 72‐county area for the west side of the state.

Lisa began her career at Mississippi Power as an engineer in 1993. She relocated to Georgia Power in 1997, where she has held positions of increasing responsibility in distribution, sales, region operations and as an area manager in Waynesboro and Newnan. Lisa also served as assistant to the Senior Vice President of the Metro Atlanta Region, where she was responsible for providing support for the company’s operations, sales, customer service, and external affairs activities for 1.2 million customers.

She serves on the boards of directors for the American Cancer Society and Georgia Humanities and is a member of the Leadership Council for Learn4Life. Lisa is executive champion for Georgia Power’s Alliance of Differently-Abled People. Previously, she held board positions for the Regional Business Coalition and Columbus Development Authority and was a trustee for the RiverCenter of the Performing Arts. Lisa has been named one of Engineering Georgia magazine’s 100 Most Influential Women, Profiles in Diversity Journal’s Women Worth Watching, and The Atlanta Business League’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence.

A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. She has been married to Derick for 26 years and they have one son, Gabriel.

Program

Dr. Kevin E. James, President Presiding

Prelude Dr. James Plenty

Processional

Chair - Department of Music

Dr. James Plenty

Chair - Department of Music

Hymn Mr. James Pullin, Jr., ‘23 "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

Invocation Rev. Dr. Gregory V. Eason, Sr., ‘83 Senior Pastor, Flipper Temple AME Church

Greetings Dr. Kevin E. James President

Remarks Mayor Andre Dickens 61st Mayor of Atlanta, GA

On Behalf of the MBC Foundation, Inc. Board Andre Williams, ’01 Chairman

On Behalf of the Alumni

On Behalf of Turner Theological Seminary

On Behalf of the Faculty

On Behalf of the Students

Mr. Jethro Joseph, ’69 President, National Alumni Association

Dr. Ammie Davis President-Dean of Turner Theological Seminary

Dr Anthony B. Johnson

Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mr. Julian Ross, ’23 President, SGA

Ms. Jarai Boykins, ’24 Miss MBC

Musical Selection "God Restores" Morris Brown College Choir

Speaker Mrs. Lisa Smith

Senior Vice President, Region External Affairs and Community Engagement

Financial Appeal

Alma Mater

Benediction

Recessional

Mr. Todd G. Blackburn, ’90, ‘17 Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement/Director of Alumni Affairs

Dr. James Plenty

Chair - Department of Music

Alma Mater

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