ALMA MATER
Dear Old N.C.C.
Lyrics by Annie D. Shepard
The sloping hills, the verdant green, The lovely blossoms’ beauteous sheen Surround our college proud and gay, Where wave our colors, Maroon and Gray. What matters it how far we roam? Our thoughts will oft return to home, And hearts will e’er be true to thee, Our Alma Mater, N.C.C.
REFRAIN:
Then Rah! Rah! Rah! For our colors so gay! Dear old N.C.C.’s Maroon and Gray; Thy sons and daughters will honor thee, Dear old N.C.C.
We’ve gathered here to fit our lives, As from the darkness light revives, So let us hail, both night and day, Our glorious colors, Maroon and Gray. We’ll ever love and honor thee, For thou hast taught us loyalty. Then let our watchword “service” be, To Alma Mater, N.C.C.
You send us forth with hearts of love; So like a blessing from above, And from the path we’ll never stray, Our dear Alma Mater, Maroon and Gray. We’ll work and fight, we’ll win our way. When duty calls, we shall obey. And may we e’er return to thee, Our Alma Mater, N.C.C!
FROM THE CHANCELLOR GREETINGS
September 12, 2025
Dear Eagle Family,
It is my distinct honor to extend congratulations to this year’s inductees into the North Carolina Central University Forty Under Forty Alumni Awards. Your achievements, leadership, and dedication to excellence are a strong reflection of the transformative spirit of our university.
You represent the best of Eagle excellence — bold in purpose, committed to service, and driven to succeed. Whether in boardrooms, classrooms, labs, or legislative chambers, your impact is shaping industries, building communities, and inspiring future generations.
The Forty Under Forty Awards celebrate not only individual accomplishment but also the strength of the NCCU legacy. As you rise in your careers and contributions, you reflect the core values of our institution: truth, service, and a commitment to lead with integrity and vision.
As Chancellor, I am proud to witness the embodiment of our tagline: where purpose takes flight. You are living proof that when knowledge and purpose come together, there are no limits to what can be achieved.
On behalf of the entire NCCU community, I salute you and look forward to the continued impact you will make in the years ahead.
In Truth and Service.
Karrie G. Dixon, Ed.D. Chancellor
GREETINGS
FROM
THE ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR Alumni Relations
September 12, 2025
Dear 2025 Forty Under Forty Honorees,
On behalf of North Carolina Central University’s Division of Institutional Advancement and the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, we welcome you as we celebrate our 2025 Forty Under Forty Alumni Awards recipients. We are pleased you have joined us to honor some of NCCU’s youngest and most accomplished alumni.
Our 2025 Forty Under Forty Award recipients join a distinguished group of past honorees and represent some of the best in entertainment, healthcare, sciences, education, law, business, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, public service, and government. These alumni exemplify the level of success that our current and future Eagles will aspire to throughout their careers.
I encourage each of our Forty Under Forty Alumni honorees to continue strengthening your connection with the University by sharing your time, talent, and expertise with us and our students. Remember, your gifts, whether through service, mentorship, or philanthropy, create opportunities for the next generation of Eagles.
Once again, congratulations to the 2025 Forty Under Forty Alumni Award cohort!
With Eagle Pride,
LaMisa McCoy Foxx, ’95 Assistant Vice Chancellor, Alumni Relations
FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT GREETINGS
September 12, 2025
Dear 2025 Forty Under Forty Honorees,
On behalf of the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you on being named a 2025 Forty Under Forty honoree. This recognition is a reflection of your leadership, your professional achievements, and your commitment to serving your communities with excellence.
As NCCU Alumni, we are bound together by a proud legacy of scholarship, service, and impact. Each of you embodies the very essence of our motto, “Truth and Service”, through the work you do that soars far and wide shaping industries, inspiring change, and uplifting others. As you are celebrated tonight, remember that your success is not only personal but also the embodiment of our motto of “Truth and Service”, and the fruition of Dr. James E. Shepard’s vision that has endured for more than a century. The path you are blazing makes a lasting mark on the world and serves as a powerful example for the generations of Eagles to come.
I am especially proud to celebrate those among you who are active members of the Alumni Association. Your commitment and dedication strengthens our Eagle community. May this honor inspire you to reach even greater heights, while always remembering the support of the Eagle family that stands beside you.
Congratulations again on this well-deserved award.
With Eagle Pride,
Nikki Davis-Green, ’98 President
North Carolina Central University Alumni Association, Inc. www.nccualumni.org
FORTY UNDER FORTY
ORDER OF THE EVENING
Mistress of Ceremonies
Mrs. Faith Bynum Patterson, ’04
Welcome
Greeting
Ms. Susan L. Hester Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement
Invocation
Mr. LaRonte Bryant, ’23
NCCUAA Durham Chapter President
Dinner
Keynote Address
Dr. Karrie G. Dixon Chancellor
2025 FORTY UNDER FORTY
Alumni Awards Presentation
Gift Presentation
Mr. Enoch Bond
Director of Annual Giving
Atty. Ryan Stowe, ’13, ’16
Mr. Kent Williams, ’09, ’13
Closing Remarks
Ms. LaMisa McCoy Foxx, ’95
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations
Alma Mater
Mr. H. Josiah Russell, ’23
Associate Director of Annual Giving
2025 HONOREES
2025 HONOREES
Latorius Adams, ’10
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Social/Clinical Research Specialist, UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
India Ali, ’13
Decatur, Georgia
Attorney/owner, self-employed, The Law Office of India Y. Ali
Arthur Anderson, Jr., ’17, ’18
Raleigh, North Carolina
Program Manager, City of Durham Office of Economic and Workforce Development
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2025 HONOREES
Alicia Andrews, ’07
Ayden, North Carolina
Director of education and outreach/project coordinator, Duke University-Center for Health Policy and Inequality
Amber Banks, ’07
Durham, NC
Lakevious Battle, ’19
President, African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs; Board chair, Reinvestment Partners
Knightdale, North Carolina
Sr. Cloud & AI Solutions Architect, Microsoft; CTO, Sherpa Clouds Inc.
2025 HONOREES
Kierra Bonner, ’20
Sanford, North Carolina
CEO/Founder, Life of the Party Bus, Houston, Texas
Dionee Bowick, ’08
Durham, North Carolina
Director, owner, and operator, Growing Legacy Early Learning Center
Phillip Boyd, Jr., ’16
Winston- Salem, North Carolina
Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) educator; Impact leader, North Carolina with Profound Gentlemen
Scan
2025 HONOREES
Racheal Brooks, ’06
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Director of Quality Assurance Implementation Solutions, Quality Matters
Tarnosha Burns, ’09
Tar Heel, North Carolina
Certification specialist, Department of Administration, North Carolina Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses
Omari Collins, ’16
Charlotte, North Carolina
Creative developer of 4th & 1 with Cam Newton; Head of brand development, NJC Ventures; Head of brand development
2025 HONOREES
Christin Cotten, ’11
Clayton, North Carolina
Assistant staff judge advocate; Founder, Lucy Regent Legal, LLC; Founder and managing attorney; Owner of America’s Choice Transport, LLC
Omari Crawford, ’13
Decatur, Georgia
Attorney at law, Williams Teusink LLC
Asia Cunningham, ’07, ’09, ’17
Warsaw, North Carolina
Principal, Durham Public Schools
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2025 HONOREES
Hadassah Eley, ’09
Raleigh, North Carolina
CEO, CME Strategies; CEO, Eminent Opulent Realty
Ciji Garner, ’14,’24
Morrisville, North Carolina
Strategic initiatives analyst, Durham County Government
Tracy Wright Gaskins, ’17
Durham, North Carolina
Principal corporate counsel, Cisco Systems Inc.
2025 HONOREES
Devin Graham, ’06
Raleigh, North Carolina
Senior Clinical Research Associate III, ICON
Cordara Harper, ’17
Cove City, North Carolina
Assistant professor of music education and director of choral activities, Grambling State University
Sierra Hobbs, ’10
Long Beach, California
Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Studies in the College of Education at Texas Southern University in Houston, TX
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Scan for Full Bio.
2025 HONOREES
Tremain Holloway, ’11
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Doctoral resident in the superintendent’s office, Boston Public Schools
Uyi Idahor, ’12, ’15
High Point, North Carolina
Engagement manager, Tricentis Software Company
Dolloress Johnson, ’07, ’09
Dallas, Texas
Executive director of human resources, Arlington Independent School District
2025 HONOREES
Imani Johnson, ’21
Atlanta, Georgia
Public information communications analyst, City of Durham
Rodney Johnson, Jr., ’16
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Educator and mentor, Onslow County Schools
Johnny Jones II, ’13
Charlotte, North Carolina
Co-founder and CEO, Precision Research and Development Solutions Senior clinical research associate, IQVIA
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Scan for Full Bio.
2025 HONOREES
Tangela Kenan, ’06
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Co-founder, chief executive officer, 5K Foundation Inc
Reginald McCrimmon, ’13
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Senior vice president, Crossroads Strategies
Gregory Pate, ’08,’12
Raleigh, North Carolina
Vice president, Amethyst Counseling Services
2025 HONOREES
Michael Robinson, ’14, ’17
Butner, North Carolina
Assistant athletic director of ticket operations, NCCU
Gabrielle Simmons Scott, ’11, ’21
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Durham County Organizer, NC Black Alliance and Advance Carolina
Lance Scott, ’17
Durham, North Carolina
Producer, songwriter, composer and educator
Scan for Full Bio.
2025 HONOREES
Marcus Shields, ’11
Sumter, South Carolina
Owning/managing attorney, Shields Law PLLC
Amondre Smith, ’15
Roanoke, Virginia
Chiropractic physician
Ryan Stowe,’13,’16
Salisbury, North Carolina
Managing attorney, Stowe Law Firm
2025 HONOREES
Meghan Wilder, ’10, ’20
Newburgh, New York
Beginning teacher mentor, Durham Public Schools
Kent Williams Jr., ’09, ’13
Raleigh, North Carolina
Assistant director for student leadership, NCCU
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Scan for Full Bio.
2025 HONOREES
Tameka Williams, ’06, ’11
Lumberton, North Carolina
Director of staff development and curiosity, Justice System Partners
Anngelica Mohabir Wilson, ’13
Brooklyn, New York
Interior architectural designer, Determined by Design®, Design Equity Interior Designer
PROUD YOU MADE US
He offers guidance, gives support, promotes growth, is a motivator, a role model, one who can relate, a friend, compassionate, empowers, is trustworthy, STRONG FAITH, inspires, humble, has vision and purpose, a strategic thinker, respects others, has integrity and is a true, authentic leader.
That's our son, Kent Williams, Jr. We, your family, are proud of you and are thankful that God has placed you to be a light in the paths of others. Soar Eagle Soar into continuous greatness!
Love Dad and Mom (Kent & Fenisha) and your brothers (Kevin & Kaleb & r.i.p. Kori)
Congratulations and best wishes to the 2025 40 Under 40 Honorees for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to making a difference in Eagleland and beyond.
India Ali,’13
Your achievements today light the way and give us confidence in an even brighter future ahead.
Latorius Adams, ’10
Arthur Anderson Jr., ’17, ’18
Alicia Andrews, ’07
Amber Banks, ’07
Lakevious Battle, ’19
Kierra Bonner, ’20
Dionne Bowick, ’08
Phillip Boyd Jr., ’16
Racheal Brooks ’06
Tarnosha Burns, ’09
Omari Collins, ’16
Christin Cotten, ’11
Omari Crawford, ’13
Asia Cunningham, ’07, ’09, ’17
Hadassah Eley, ’09
Ciji Garner, ’14, ’24
Tracy Wright Gaskins, ’17
Devin Graham, ’06
Cordara Harper, ’17
Sierra Hobbs, ’10
Tremain Holloway, ’11
Uyi Idahor, ’12, ’15
Dolloress Johnson, ’07, ’09
Imani Johnson, ’21
Rodney Johnson Jr., ’16
Johnny Jones II, ’13
Tangela Kenan, ’10
Reggie McCrimmon, ’13
Anngelica Mohabir Wilson, ’13
Gregory Pate, ’08, ’12
Michael Robinson, ’14, ’17
Lance Scott Jr., ’17
Marcus Shields, ’11
Gabrielle Simmons Scott, ’11, ’21
Ryan Stowe, ’13, ’16
Amondre Smith, ’15
Meghan Wilder, ’10, ’20
Kent Williams Jr., ’09, ’13
Tameka Williams, ’06, ’11
WE’RE SO PROUD OF YOU!
Dr. Gary L. Brown, ’02 and Mrs. Anita Branch-Brown
FORTY UNDER FORTY ALUMNI AWARDS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BRANDilly Creative Group
Impress Printing and Graphics, Inc.
Faith Bynum Patterson, ’04
Subject2Change
Renee Clark, ’06
OUR CAMPUS PARTNERS
NCCU Advancement Services
NCCU Division of Institutional Advancement
NCCU National Alumni Association
NCCU Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
NCCU Office of Communications and Marketing
NCCU Foundation, Inc.
OUR FORTY UNDER FORTY NOMINATIONS AND SELECTIONS COMMITTEE
Co-Chair – Jonathan Leach, ’04, ’10
Co-Chair – Clayton Mack, ‘97
David Bailey, ’07
Shanna Bell, ’09
Nimasheena Burns, ’10
Sabrina C. Clark, ’01
Terrance Jones, ’11, ’13
Quenton Marable ’03
La Tanta McCrimmon, ’19
India Reaves, ’07
Jamaal Searcy, ’19
Nina Smith, ’08
Akeeya Umstead, ’09
Andre Vann, ’93, ’95
Missy Welch ’02, ’05
OUR FORTY UNDER FORTY PROGRAM EVENT VOLUNTEERS
Ariel V. Germain, ’06, ’17
Taraza Tyler, ’10
STUDENT HOSTS
NCCU Pre-Alumni Association
NCCU Men’s Achievement Center
