If someone told Keir Garner ’17 four months ago that he would be performing at one of the largest music festivals with one of the top artists in the world, he probably would not have believed you. However on April 14, he stood on stage at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival behind Beyoncé and did just that. “My experience performing behind a legendary artist like Beyoncé showed me that everything I have worked so hard for as a child was preparation for this moment,” said Garner. Garner is no stranger to performing for large crowds. The former member of the Cold Steel Drumline of the Blue and…

Josephus Thompson, III ’01 is a man of extraordinary passion who is living his life to the fullest as a spoken word artist, educator and entertainer. For more than 20 years, he has committed his time and energy to using the power of his voice and inspiring others to be heard. He has become the go-to poet in Greensboro, North Carolina for all things spoken word. “Poetry allows my voice to be validated and I love inspiring others to find their voices and to share their ideas with the world,” said Thompson. Thompson is the founder and owner of Mentality Enterprises, LLC, a spoken word company that comprises of The…

Dwayne Pinkney ’85 has spent most of his career in higher education playing an integral role in the various facets of the university administration. For more than 14 years, he has worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his current title is the chief financial officer and senior associate vice chancellor for finance and operations. On August 1, Pinkney will take on a new role as senior vice president for operations and administration at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. “Starting this new role at Virginia Tech feels like I’m starting over, and with this wonderful opportunity I am ready to embrace a new culture and…

Dr. Lois Fears ’53 has been a persistent leader in the field of education and has dedicated 51 years of her life to being an educator. Growing up in rural Madison, North Carolina, she was raised on a tobacco farm and was the youngest of 14 siblings. Her parents always instilled in them the importance of upward education. “As a child, I was surrounded by greatness because my sisters set the bar really high for me with their schooling, and I felt like I had to be the best example of myself,” said Fears. “Being raised on a farm also taught me that I had to work hard in order…

Kirkland L. Hicks ’93 was recently named by Black Enterprise magazine’s list as one of the “Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America.” The list highlights the highest-ranking African-American executives at the nation’s 1,000 largest publicly-traded companies and 100 international companies with a major U.S. presence Hicks was recognized out of 300 candidates and is currently the executive vice president and general counsel at Lincoln Financial Group, a Fortune 250 financial services company headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania. “Being recognized in Black Enterprise is a proud moment for me because I am representing my parents and all of my hard-work,” said Hicks. “It’s really hard to believe the magazine I grew up…

When nominations for the 90th annual Academy Awards were announced on Jan. 23, Kevin Wilson, Jr.’s ’11 life changed before his very eyes. He was nominated for his short film, “My Nephew Emmett,” in the Best Live Action Short Film category. “My Nephew Emmett” is a 20-minute film that takes place on the night of Aug. 28, 1955, when the 14-year-old Emmett Till was abducted, tortured and murdered in Money, Mississippi. The film was written, produced and directed by Wilson as a curricular project at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts’ Graduate Film Program, where he is currently a student. The project was supported by the help of…

  What started off as a social gathering hosted by Aggie Gentz for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University classes from 1983 through 1993, eventually turned into a philanthropic mission. The organization is an alumni-based group that focuses on connecting Aggies and creating a legacy of giving back to N.C. A&T. Aggie Gentz is comprised of 15 members with backgrounds that range from accounting, education, entrepreneurship, entertainment to technology. As a collective, they realized they all shared many similarities; one in particular that they came from meager beginnings which at times was a challenge in meeting their financial obligations while attending N.C. A&T. This humbling experience fueled their passion…

Photo Caption: Photo by Steve Jamroz, courtesy of the UNC General Alumni Association. Dr. Iris Carlton-LaNey ’72 was named 2018 Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC). The NASW-NC Social Worker of the Year Award is an annual award given to a social work professional who has demonstrated commendable social work practice and involvement with NASW and other professional, civic and community organizations. For over 40 years, Carlton-LaNey has taught in social work programs at three North Carolina universities: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and currently as the Berg-Beach Distinguished Professor of…