Charlotte, N.C. / September 26, 2025 - Members of the Johnson C. Smith University National Alumni Association painted the Queen City blue in the inaugural Diner en Bleu event during Homecoming 2025. The exclusive event featured African drummers who led the gallant parade of patrons into the sprawling parlor. JCSU alumni from the 1960s to 2020s arrived adorned in a kaleidoscope of blue: sapphire gowns, cobalt ties, royal blue dresses, true-blue suits, and Oxford blue pocket squares. Alumni came ready to party and to give.
Upon arrival, guests spilled into the salon, settling among the gallery of tables. Surrounded by photo booths extraordinaire, they went to work decorating their tables to fit the theme. They assembled unique blue centerpieces and candelabras, gold vases overflowing with blue orchids and violets. Dinner was a BYOD – Bring Your Own Dinner – affair, with the option to purchase dinner packages on site. Alumni unpacked buckets of chicken, elaborate charcuterie boards, potato salad and pasta, crab cakes and vegetarian meatballs, decadent desserts, fancy sodas and imported sparkles from the South of France.
Diner en Bleu was held at a mystery location - revealed to be the Park Expo in East Charlotte - only hours before the program. “Nobody knew the location until about eight to ten hours before the event. That is a part of the mystique,” explained Dr. Craig Bell, president of the National Alumni Association. “This is JCSU’s version of Dîner en Blanc. We took that theme and made it our own.”
Tables were decorated in Gold and Blue.
Indeed, the idea for Diner en Bleu was inspired by the elegant French pop-up picnic that has become a trend across the United States. Dedicated alumna Catherine McKenzie-Ziegler explained the origin:
“We thought, why not do Diner en Bleu with our own JCSU twist on it? The idea also grew out of conversations earlier in the year, during the economic boycotts, about how much money we often spend at outside venues. Diner en Bleu became a way to reinvest in JCSU and create a premium experience on our own terms. And as Smithites, we always do.”
The event sold out multiple times, according to McKenzie-Ziegler, second vice president of the National Alumni Association. Ultimately the group welcomed about 320 alumni and friends—a cap set by organizers reflecting limits on space and not a lack of interest. Demand for tickets was high. The event was poised to take place on the Block in the heart of campus. Inclement weather forced a pivot to the indoor venue. No harm. No foul. Fun flourished throughout the night.
Beyond the fun, the evening served a philanthropic purpose. A portion of the proceeds will support JCSU’s Better Together campaign, the university’s $10 million fundraising initiative. “We’re definitely going to give a portion of our funds earlier than we typically do,” Dr. Bell said. “Usually, we wait until the end of the year, but this time we will be giving before December so it can be counted as part of Better Together.” With music, laughter, and a sense of community, Diner en Bleu showcased the creativity and dedication of Smithites while raising support for JCSU’s future.
For alumnus Michel Roseborough, Class of 1978 and President of the JCSU 100 Club, Diner en Bleu was a first-time experience. “Everybody brings their own dinner and decorates their table. Normally, when it’s outside, they have about a thousand to three thousand people attending. It’s like a cookout, but a dress-up type of thing.”
For Roseborough, the evening carried more than style and tradition—it captured the heart of JCSU alumni connections. “Yes, I think it brings that family-type atmosphere for all the alumni,” he reflected. Roseborough, who matriculated through JCSU during the Albright years, explored how the university continues to evolve in a spirit of excellence.
In the mind of Damian Johnson co-owner of No Grease Barbershop and alumnus from the Class of 1995, Diner en Bleu was more than a stylish evening; it was a celebration of lifelong connections. “I didn’t know what to expect, but anytime we get dressed up in blue and go celebrate with all these wonderful people I’ve had experiences with, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Johnson said.
As a student, Johnson studied under Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy, the first woman to serve as president of JCSU, and he proudly recalled that his class was the first to graduate during her tenure. This year’s event honored that history. Each section of the room was named after past JCSU presidents, including Kinloch, Albright, and Yancy sections. It was a creative way to blend tradition with new trends. Johnson said the evening was about much more than food and décor. “Camaraderie, school spirit—I mean, it’s a family reunion, that’s what it is. It’s a family reunion.”
Diner en Bleu was a family reunion for Wanda Foy-Burroughs ’73, Director of Alumni Relations for JCSU. She calls the inaugural event a huge success. “I think Diner en Bleu went exceptionally well, even if they had to change the location due to the weather. It was a sold-out event. The feedback from most alumni was nothing but positive,” she said.
Between the laughter and fellowship live music filled the expansive hall. DJ “Chip” - Willie T. Rorie - and Saxophonist Warren Raybon entertained the crowd with the classics and contemporary jams, capping off the evening with a slew of line dances that got the group up and grooving. A rendition of Boots on the Ground fit the 2025 Homecoming theme Bulls on the Ground to a tea! Dancers flapped the Gold-and-Blue fans with distinction! Moving in step, the group of JCSU alumni plotted the path in Gold and Bleu: Illuminating Pathways, Transforming Futures.
