The Resurgence: Reset and Ready
Friday, the Fifteenth of March Two Thousand and Twenty-Four Twelve Noon
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church 6400 Woodrow Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chairman, Board of Trustees Dr. Kevin E. James, President
Rev. Dr. Jamal H. Bryant, Host Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
James M. Bailey (Jay) is a dynamic force committed to his unwavering motto, "Build As We Climb." With a transformative vision, he embodies the essence of a change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur, and emerging philanthropist, directing his life's mission towards uplifting others. As the President and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), he leads the world's largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to empowering Black businesses. In just four years, under Jay's visionary leadership, RICE supports over 360 entrepreneurs full time, generating an impressive $114 million in annual revenues, sustaining 1,400 jobs in the community, and sparking a staggering $450 million of new economic impact in the Metro Atlanta area. Jay and his team have transformed RICE into an economic empowerment and innovation powerhouse.
An Atlanta native and a devoted Georgia Bulldog, Jay has a proven track record of success. His leadership and commitment to the community have been recognized by three U.S. Presidents. In 2012, he was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a "Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.". In 2016, President Barack Obama bestowed upon him the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedicated volunteer service.
Jay has received the esteemed National Point of Light Award and has been featured as one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle's POWER 100 Most Influential Leaders in the City. He was also named by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential" in the state.
He is a devoted member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, dedicated to the motto "Service Above Self." His remarkable board service includes roles on the Georgia Chamber and Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Directors. Additionally, he serves as a Board Director for both the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and Invest Atlanta Foundation, as well as the founding Chairman of Citizens Trust Bank's Next Generation Advisory Board.
Focused on education, he serves on the University of Georgia Board of Visitors, as an Agnes Scott College Trustee, a Board Director for the Atlanta Speech School, and the Executive Board of the Veritas School of Social Sciences. Jay is a nationally recognized landowner and serves as a trustee for the Georgia Forestry Foundation and founded the Black Land Institute in 2023.
Jay, an esteemed graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, has earned numerous accolades. Among them are the Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, the Maynard Jackson Community Impact Award, a 2023 Atlanta Business League Man of Influence, the Startup Atlanta Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Bernie Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award. Additionally, he takes pride in being a dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
Currently residing in East Atlanta, Jay shares his life's journey with his wife, NBC News correspondent Blayne Alexander, and their cherished daughter, Sage. Together, they continue to leave an indelible mark on their community and beyond, living out their commitment to service and progress.
Prelude
Processional
Hymn
Invocation
Greetings
Remarks
Dr. Kevin E. James, President Presiding
Professor Jody Mayfield, Pianist, ’18
Adjunct Professor of Music
Professor Jody Mayfield, Pianist, ’18
Adjunct Professor of Music
Dr. James Anthony Plenty, Conductor Chair- Department of Music “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Rev. Dr. John Foster
Senior Pastor, Big Bethel AME Church
Dr. Kevin E. James President
Bishop Reginald Jackson, ’17 Chairman
Morris Brown College Board of Trustees
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 Academic Affairs/Faculty
On Behalf of the Students
Musical Selection
Speaker
Financial Appeal
Alma Mater
Benediction
Recessional
Mr. Antwan Walker, ’02 Vice President, National Alumni Association
Dr. Ammie Davis President-Dean of Turner Theological Seminary
Dr. Toneyce Randolph Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mr. Syquan Hobes, ’24 President, SGA
Ms. Ashley Davis, ’24 Miss MBC
Mr. Melvin Pitts, ’24 Mr. MBC
"Made A Way" Morris Brown College Choir
Mr. James (Jay) Bailey
President and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)
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, 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.
Wordsby:
Milton RandolphMusic
by: C. Waymon Hathcock
Andre Williams, Chair, ’01
Miya Gray, Vice Chair
Twanda Turner-Hawkins, 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 Traylor
Dr. LaGarrett J. King
Tanya Boyle, Esq.
Sedric Ross
Justin Samuels
Mark Moore, Jr.
Greg Crane
Wayne Martin
Sulean Carruthers
Shawn Hazel
Adam Phyall
Jeffery Batiste
(Honor bestowed on May 15, 2014)
01. Ms. Vera L. Benton, Associate Professor Emerita (Posthumously)
02. Dr. Joe B. Brown, Associate Professor Emeritus
03. Mr. Oscar Burnett, Associate Professor Emeritus (Posthumously)
04. Ms. Vista Hughley Bryant, Assistant Professor Emerita
05. Dr. Joan Ealey-Sawyer, Associate Professor Emerita
06. Dr. Leroy Frazier, Associate Professor Emeritus
07. Dr. Ruth Riley Glover, College Relations Emerita
08. Dr. Ruth Hall Hodges, Professor Emerita (Posthumously)
09. Ms. Victoria W. Jenkins, Associate Professor and Librarian Emerita
10. Mr. Cleopas Johnson, Assistant Professor and Director of Bands Emeritus (Posthumously)
11. Dr. Marvin R. King, Sr., Director of TRIO Programs Emeritus (Deceased)
12. Mrs. Merlissie R. Middleton, Professor Emerita (Posthumously)
13. Dr. Charles W. Moore, Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Emeritus
14. Dr. Beatriz Moralis Faba, Associate Professor Emerita
15. Dr. Tshilemalema L. Mukenge, Professor Emeritus
16. Dr. Willie F. Payne, Professor Emeritus (Deceased)
17. Dr. James H. Penn, Professor Emeritus (Posthumously)
18. Dr. Henry Porter, Assistant Professor Emeritus
19. Dr. Lee A. Ransaw, Professor Emeritus
20. Attorney William H. Sheppard, Associate Professor Emeritus
21. Dr. Jeanne M. Stahl, Professor and Director of Research Training Emerita
22. Dr. Nasrolah Farokhi, Professor Emeritus
Mr. Todd G. Blackburn, ’90, ’17 – Co-Chair
Mrs. De’sia Daley – Co-Chair
Mr. Donovan McKelvey – Co-Chair
Dr. James F. Allen
Ms. Stephanie Gunby
Dr. Levertis Meeks
Dr. Toneyce Randolph
Ms. Teresa Crowe
Ms. Parlar Halley
Dr. James Plenty
Ms. Michelle Rodgers
Dr. Yaw Adoo SPECIAL THANKS TO
Dr. Jamal H. Bryant and New
Mr. Devan Carter & New Birth Media Team
