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Last year, the Johnson C. Smith University debate team smashed through the glass ceiling, snagging the North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) Ethics Bowl Trophy. It was a moment for the record books.

Mister JCSU Tyler Bowers hosted alongside alumnus Rashad Smith ’10 as co-host for a panel discussing Life After College: Navigating What Comes Next. Guest panelists Dr. Leonard Brock, National Systems Change leader, and Ms. Jontel Worrel ’07 and Mr. Anthony Brown ’07 spoke about their journey after graduation.

It was a rainy Thursday in September. Leaders in business, healthcare, and education descended on Blume Studios for Invest: Charlotte 2026. Johnson C. Smith University President Valerie Kinloch, Ph.D. ’96, served as moderator for the second panel of the day, “Leveraging the Development of Charlotte’s Anchor Institutions for Long-Term Growth.” A panel of experts broached topics of risk and resilience, investment and impact.

Students from Johnson C. Smith University joined peers from 48 other HBCUs for the 13th annual HBCU Pre-Law Summit, held on the campus of North Carolina Central University in Durham from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27, 2026. The summit brought together political science, criminology, and business majors for four days of professional insight, mentorship, and motivation ahead of their legal careers.

Johnson C. Smith University student athletic trainer and women’s tennis student-athlete Divija Manneni has been selected to participate in the National Football League's Future Leaders in Football Fellowship.

Success rarely begins with a complete plan. For students who attended Johnson C. Smith University’s Leadership and Legacy Panel in September 2026, the more useful starting point was learning how to prepare for the professional labyrinth ahead, and how to recognize opportunities, and pursue them full-throttle.

An important moment of initiation begins with an auspicious sound: the African drums with infectious rhythm, the click-clack of heels all in a row calling across the landscape. The Johnson C. Smith University Class of 2030 began its march to the Jane M. Smith Memorial Church. Freshman Convocation 2026 would soon begin, a formal start to the students’ JCSU journey.

Award-winning actor, director, producer and author Eriq La Salle challenged Johnson C. Smith University students to prepare for opportunity, persevere through rejection, and remain open to the lessons life has to offer. La Salle imparted the words of wisdom during a JCSU Lyceum Series event held inside the New Science Center Auditorium on Sept. 11, 2026.

Eight Johnson C. Smith University scholars participated in the President's Student Cohort for the Sports, Entertainment, & Business Experience (SEBE) Foundation. This group of vibrant JCSU scholars represented the College of Business and Professional Studies, namely its Department of Health and Human Performance's Sport Management program and the Department of Business Administration's Business Administration program.

Dr. Cindy J. Kistenberg, Professor of Theatre and Communication, participated in the 2026 August Summit for Black Pastors and Rabbis, held August 24–26 in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of her ongoing work with the Charlotte Black/Jewish Alliance and Spill the Honey. Dr. Kistenberg also served as the official photographer for the event.