Thank you to everyone who joined Johnson C. Smith University for the Arch of Triumph Gala on April 5, 2025, at the Charlotte Convention Center. Our Annual Gala serves as the University’s marquee community event and benefits the JCSU Fund, which empowers the University to provide innovative and challenging academic programs and critical financial support for our students.
Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy, a native of Alabama served as the twelfth president of Johnson C. Smith University (1994-2008). She made history as the first woman president of JCSU. Dr. Yancy currently holds the title of President Emerita. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Social Science from Johnson C. Smith University, a Master of Arts degree in History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Atlanta University (Georgia). Dr. Yancy performed further study at the University of Singapore (Fulbright Scholar), Hampton University, Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago), Northwestern University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Virginia State University, JCSU, Shaw University and Wilberforce University. She earned certificates in management development from Harvard University and is listed as an arbitrator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services. She formerly served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and as a Special Magistrate with the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission. She is currently a consultant on governance, the presidency and other higher education topics. She serves as Trustee Emerita at Morehouse College and President Emerita at Shaw.
As president of JSCU, Dr. Yancy marshaled phenomenal growth and progress. During this period, she completed two significant capital campaigns and was heralded as one of the best fundraisers nationally. From 1994 to 2008, she raised more than $145 million for the university. Additionally, during her tenure, the JCSU endowment more than tripled from $14 million to $53 million. At retirement in 2008, she left the University with a balanced budget, $10 million rainy day fund, and the majority of buildings renovated. Consequently, Dr. Yancy left a highly qualified faculty and applications to the university increased by 400% during her tenure. Under her watch, a new technology center, a library, and a track/stadium/academic complex were constructed. In 1996, the university was awarded the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant. JCSU is the only HBCU that has received this grant. In addition, JSCU was the first HBCU to become an IBM “ThinkPad” University. In 2001, Yahoo Internet Life Magazine named the University one of the top 50 most wired small colleges in the nation.
Dr. Yancy has earned the respect of the higher education community throughout her career. She served as a professor of History, Technology and Society and in the School of Management at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta) from 1972 to 1994. At Georgia Tech, she was the first African American to be promoted and tenured as a full professor. While at Georgia Tech, she was selected as one of the six best professors in the nation by Newsweek magazine.
Congresswoman Alma Adams serves the 12th Congressional District of North Carolina. Currently in her sixth term, Representative Adams serves on the Committee on Education & Workforce and the House Committee on Agriculture. She serves on the subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education and is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. In November 2014, Dr. Adams won a special election and was sworn in immediately as the 100th woman elected to the 113th Congress. Congresswoman Adams is the co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus and the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus. Congresswoman Adams holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from North Carolina A&T State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Art Education and Multicultural Education from The Ohio State University.
Charlotte native Charles Thomas serves as the Charlotte Director of Community and National Initiatives for Knight Foundation. In his role, Thomas leads the foundation’s local strategy to advance economic opportunities, enhance the arts and strengthen local news & information. Specifically, Thomas has been focused on advancing the development of Historic West End and Johnson C. Smith University. Knight Foundation has invested millions of dollars in the West End, supporting resident-led organizations, small businesses and economic development that has brought additional Black-owned businesses to the district. In addition to investing in a thriving West End, Thomas has also shepherded Knight’s funding for JCSU student scholarships while increasing community engagement and the institution’s economic development capacity. Speaking about Knight Foundation’s work in Charlotte, Thomas said, “As our city grows, long-term success hinges on ensuring all neighborhoods and residents can participate in and benefit from our region’s progress—advancing economic mobility and resident-led development has been our focus since 2015."
Before serving in this role, Thomas was the executive director of Queen City Forward, an organization that accelerated the growth of social entrepreneurs solving community problems. His work as a professional photographer aided him as he co-published an award-winning book of photos and stories with author Valaida Fullwood titled “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists” which is now a traveling exhibition called The Soul of Philanthropy. Thomas is the current Chair of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board of Trustees and is an active member of New Generation of African American Philanthropy. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University and was trained in photography at Central Piedmont Community College and The Light Factory Museum.
Alexis Bibbs, a 2005 graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, is a leader in the worlds of education and entrepreneurship. He currently serves as Senior TRiO (college prep) Coordinator for West Mecklenburg High School, a role he has held for more than eleven years with Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. During this time, Bibbs has dedicated himself to empowering students from historically underserved backgrounds, with a special focus on supporting first-generation college-bound students. As the coordinator of the TRiO Talent Search program, Lex oversees a roster of 250 students, identifying and supporting individuals with the potential to succeed in higher education. In addition, Lex currently coordinates the Becoming Kings Program, a Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative project (MREI) within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Bibbs serves as a mentor, class agent and ambassador at Johnson C. Smith University. His business, Smiff Merch clothing brand, pays homage to Bibbs’ alma mater, Johnson C. Smith University. Outside of his professional life, Lex is happily married to Tiffany Bibbs.
With a career spanning over two decades, highlighted by his breakthrough single “Never Too Busy” and the wedding staple “For You,” Kenny has garnered Grammy and Soul Train Award nominations, Top 10 singles, Top 20 R&B albums and an NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist, while staying sincere about giving his heart and soul to communities through music.
The Washington DC native dazzles audiences with an unprecedented range influenced by his classical, jazz, and gospel upbringing. Kenny is famous for delivering just the right dose of classic crooning, exceptional runs and authentic emotion. His nuanced vocals have graced projects by a diverse array of artists from Musiq Soulchild and Rachelle Ferrell to Nancy Wilson and Brian Culbertson. This prestigious list also includes Kanye West, who sampled Lattimore’s “Lately” for he track “I’m In It” from West’s #1album Yeezus. He has placed a distinctive stamp on classic songs recorded by musical icons as Donny Hathaway and The Beatles, transformed Christmas standards, and created musical magic on iconic movie soundtracks like Love Jones, Best Man and Disney’s Lion King II Simba’s Pride. Recently Lattimore’s “Days Like This” song was featured in “The Last Dance”- the 10 part Emmy Award winning documentary about the career of baseball legend Michael Jordan who listened to Lattimore’s music as he prepared for the NBA Finals.
Kenny Lattimore’s recording legacy includes the critically acclaimed albums, “From The Soul Of Man,” “Timeless” and “Anatomy of a Love Song,” which produced the Top 10 single “Love Me Back.” While “A Kenny Lattimore Christmas” earned a Stellar Award nomination for ‘Event CD of the Year,’ Lattimore’s ninth solo studio album “Vulnerable” produced another Top 10 hit, “Stay on Your Mind.” His latest hit single Take A Dose, is also a #1 Billboard hit.
Kenny is a humanitarian who uses his life and platform as a tool to inspire others to pursue excellence and elevate positive conversation about art, culture, family and faith.
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