News

Johnson C. Smith University celebrated our scholars in Brayboy Gymnasium, as students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, family, and friends gathered to recognize the academic achievements of our highest-performing students. 

On March 7, 2026 Community leaders, advocates, and residents gathered at Johnson C. Smith University’s Sarah Gambrell Auditorium for the Legacy’s Voice Community Town Hall, a conversation focused on maternal health and patient rights. Organizers aimed to strengthen trust between families and healthcare systems in the Carolinas. Those gathered aimed to increase positive maternal health outcomes.

Hundreds gathered inside Brayboy Gymnasium on March 4, 2026 for the annual Johnson C. Smith University Health Fair and Career Extravaganza. Organized by Dr. Robert Lindsey, JCSU Professor of Health and Human Performance, the event provided on site health screenings, wellness education, and career recruitment as a one-stop-shop extravaganza that drew students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors and droves of community partners.

Otis Stroud was the voice of the Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls for nearly fifty years, 1977-2025.  The voice echoed throughout the Eddie McGirt Field and across the court of the Brayboy Gymnasium. It was deep, resonant, and resolute: scoring history-in-action.  At the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Stroud energized crowds, calling championship games for more than 30 years, turning competitive matchups into near cinematic experiences: action-packed, dramatic and consequential.

As the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament brings championship excitement to Baltimore, a parallel celebration of literacy and youth achievement took place February 26, 2026 at Federal Hill Preparatory School through the CIAA and Friends Literacy Circle. Johnson C. Smith University was front and center. President Valerie Kinloch was on site.

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s oldest Historically Black Athletic Conference, announces the brackets for its 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. The single elimination tournament will be held at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, Tuesday, February 24 through Saturday, February 28. Championship Saturday will feature the women’s title game at 1 p.m. followed by the men’s championship at 4 p.m. 

The bright lights from Johnson C. Smith University came across the field at the 2026 Allstate Legacy Bowl in New Orleans Louisiana. When many of the fans saw the JCSU coaches and players, they started chanting, “the champs are here! The champs are here! 

A busy weekend for Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls athletics, as seven teams will be in action over the next four days.



Events kick off on Friday as the JCSU softball team travels to Hardeeville, South Carolina, to participate in the Sand Shark Invitational hosted by the University of South Carolina Beaufort. The Golden Bulls will take on the Sand Sharks, the host school and UNC Pembroke in the three-day event. The single game will take place at the Richard Gray Sports Complex. The softball team is looking for their first win on the season after falling to North Grenville, 23-1 and 15-0.
 


Before careers, before marriage, before having daughters and decades together, Kemuel Murray, Class of 2000, and Eunice Emmanuel(Murray) , Class of 1998,  were two students with singular paths finding their way across the sprawling campus of Johnson C. Smith University. Eunice was a business major with a concentration in accounting.  She had her eyes on the prize, graduating with honors.  Kemuel was a history major, ready to learn and mingle.

For the Love of Music sent a joyous noise throughout the campus of Johnson C. Smith University the evening of February 12, 2026 inside Grimes Lounge in the Mary Joyce Taylor Crisp Student Union. Dr. Shawn-Allyce White, Professor of Music, served as Director alongside Dr. Barbara Buck as vocal consultant and Mr. Frank Williams as piano accompanist.