News

As the world continues to deal with the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, essential personnel are hard at work. At Johnson C. Smith University, faculty and a majority of staff are working remotely, but a number of essential workers remain on campus during this unprecedented time. Members of Institutional Advancement, the Health Center, Post Office, Facilities, Residence Life, Campus Police, Housekeeping and the Business Office are among the essential employees on campus during this pandemic.

Gracyn Doctor ‘16 was enjoying the summer before beginning her senior year at JCSU when bullets from the white supremacist’s gun changed her life forever. Doctor’s mother, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, was one of the nine parishioners killed in the massacre at Emanuel AME Church.

Five years after the massacre at Emanuel AME Church, in Charleston, South Carolina, Johnson C. Smith University alumnus and Charlotte City Council member Malcolm Graham ‘85 is honoring all of the victims, especially his sister, Cynthia Graham Hurd.

Many Johnson C. Smith University alumni are working to make a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Charlotte City councilman Malcolm Graham ’85, who serves District 2. Graham is the chair of Charlotte’s COVID-19 Housing Task Force, which provides relief for rent and mortgages, in addition to assisting the city’s homeless population.

COVID-19 has created challenges for the students and faculty of Johnson C. Smith University, as well as staff members like Monika Rhue, director of Library services at James B. Duke Library. When the University moved classes online in March, Rhue and her team quickly took action to ensure students had the necessary tools to work remotely.

With the recent global pandemic affecting the country, small businesses have had to re-strategize, re-create and develop concepts of conducting “new normal” business practices. 

Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the world have found new ways to help each other. Two Johnson C. Smith University alumni are using their connection to pay it forward.

Rachel Davis, program director of Johnson C. Smith University’s Lactation Consultant Training Program, was a panelist for Rep. Alma Adam’s fifth annual Women’s Symposium on Black Maternal Health. The panel, which featured appearances from Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, was held April 16, 2020 during Black Maternal Health Week.

In March, the COVID-19 pandemic forced JCSU to move to remote learning for the remainder of the semester and restrict campus access to essential employees. Students living on campus were required to vacate. While the majority returned home to their families, not all students have that option. Tawanda Nyahasha ’20 is one of a handful of students, who with JCSU permission and supervision, remain on campus.

COVID-19 has hurt many small businesses across the world. However, business owners, like JCSU alumna Sa’Keithia Hamond ’15 have proven they are resilient during this crisis.