Trustee Steven Boyd addresses the audience during Founders' Day Convocation.
CHARLOTTE, N.C./April 26,2026 - Johnson C. Smith University honored its rich history during its annual Founders Day Convocation on April 26, 2026, a culminating event of Founders Week.
Held inside the Jane M. Smith Memorial Church, the convocation brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and community leaders to reflect on the university's 159-year legacy and its continued role as a transformative institution in the Historic West Corridor.
Throughout the program, speakers emphasized the power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to shape leaders, uplift communities, and create opportunity across generations.
Chairman Steven Boyd opened with a moving reflection on the meaning of "founders," urging attendees to recognize not only the institution's founders, but also the personal mentors and supporters who helped shape their journeys.
"Founders are people who take action on what they believe," Boyd said. "They see us not only as we are, but as we can become."
Dr. Craig Bell, President of the National Alumni Association, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the resilience and responsibility carried by alumni.
Dr. Craig Bell addresses the audience during Founders' Day Convocation
"As HBCUs, we are not new to challenge," Bell said. "Adversity does not mark our end-it defines the beginning of a new era of excellence."
Student Government Association President Isabella Gonce offered a student-centered perspective, affirming the university's impact on current scholars.
"This university does not just prepare us-it changes us," Gonce said. "At JCSU, we don't just exist in community-we create it, we collaborate, and we make an impact."
The keynote address was delivered by Mecklenburg County Manager Mike Bryant, a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University. University President Valerie Kinloch, Ph.D., introduced Bryant this way:
"It is truly an honor to introduce someone I have had the privilege to know, to observe, and to believe in - not only as a trailblazer and transformer, but as someone who deeply cares about community, about people, and about institutions like Johnson C. Smith University and HBCUs across this nation."
Bryant, a graduate of North Carolina Central, took the stage with comedic gest, ribbing the JCSU audience with competitive banter. He then pronounced the importance of community investment in institutions like JCSU.
"As members of this HBCU community, you are not a number-you are part of a family," Bryant said. "Nothing compares to the HBCU experience."
Mecklenburg County Manager Mike Bryant addresses the crowd during the Founders' Day Convocation.
Bryant challenged the broader community to move beyond words of support and toward tangible action.
"Goodwill, passion, and compassion matter-but without resources and financial investment, progress is limited," he said. "Standing on the sidelines and hoping things improve is not a strategy."
He also announced that Mecklenburg County is working to expand partnerships with the university, including creating stronger pipelines for student internships and career opportunities, with additional details expected in mid-May.
"We want your talent right here in Mecklenburg County," Bryant told students. "And we are creating the pathways to make that happen."
Throughout his remarks, Bryant underscored the enduring strength of HBCUs.
"We are HBCU strong for a reason," he said. "Because adversity does not mark our end-it marks the beginning of something new."
University President Dr. Valerie Kinloch closed the convocation by introducing the institution's newly approved mission and vision, signaling a continued commitment to growth and innovation.
She also reflected on her personal connection to the moment, noting that this year marks her 30th anniversary as a graduate of JCSU.
President Kinloch addresses the crowd during the Founders' Day Convocation
"When we reflect on our journey-our challenges and our growth-we see how far we have come," Kinloch said. "The question now is: How far can we go?"
The convocation served as both a celebration of the university's past and a call to action for its future-grounded in a shared commitment to excellence.
In a final moment of inspiration, Bryant drove home the inspirational message of the day with a quote from Nelson Mandela: "It always seems impossible until it's done."
