Growing up in Green Level, North Carolina, Etta Gravely, Ph.D., ‘68 was determined to go to college as a first-generation student when she attended Howard University, in Washington, D.C. for undergraduate. However, she could never imagine the impact she would make as a chemistry professor for 50 years at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. In 1956, Gravely met her husband, Clinton Gravely, at Howard University. After they graduated in 1960, the couple relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina, where he became an architectural firm owner, to start a life together. “Once my husband and I settled back in Greensboro, I found it hard to get a job as a…

When Lt. Henry Ell Frye graduated from the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina in May 1953, and he went into military service, he was far from done with Aggieland or the city of Greensboro. Through civil service, his law practice, teaching, fundraising and volunteering, Justice Frye has given continuously to this community for over 70 years.  In a 1955 edition of the old “Alumni Newsletter,” which predates the “A&T Today”, Lt. Frye was listed as one of the youngest alumni donors for the university. He would eventually serve on the executive committee and as parliamentarian for the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association, Inc. In 1972, due…

The African American community has a strong tradition of giving its time, talent, and treasure to others. Historically, these gifts have gone to churches, a donor’s alma mater, and civic organizations such as the Urban League and NAACP. According to the 2016 U.S. Trust Study of High Net-Worth Philanthropy, African American households give 25% more of their discretionary income to charitable organizations and causes than their white counterparts. Despite this culture of giving, when I first mention planned giving to many individuals, they initially balk at the idea due to a belief that it is only for extremely wealthy donors. However, a planned gift can simply be any major gift made…

Very few alumni in the history of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University represent Aggie excellence as highly as Chief Justice Henry E. Frye ‘53. The son of farmers from Ellerbe, North Carolina, emerged from four years of study at the Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina to become the first of many historic accomplishments. Frye was the first African American to complete the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill three-year law program in 1959, the first Black assistant district attorney in the United States in 1963, the first African American in North Carolina’s House of Representatives in the 20th Century in 1968, and our state’s…

For four years, senior leadership of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the Office of Alumni Relations and alumni chapters have organized the February One Reading project to encourage children across the United States to learn about the history of the A&T Four. The book, “Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down” by Andrea Davis Pinkney has been read to nearly 1,000 children through this project (in-person and virtually). Chancellor Harold L. Martin and Provost Tonya Smith-Jackson, Ph.D. at the Aggie Academy The N.C. A&T Office of Alumni Relations staff at the Child Development Lab on campus. Atlanta Alumni Chapter Columbia, S.C. Alumni Chapter Gate City Alumni…

Life is about evolution and when it comes to the story of Jodie Brim ‘06, her life and career have evolved to the next level of entrepreneurial success. She is the owner and visionary of Jodie Brim Creative, a full-service, brand photography, and videography company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. For five years, Brim worked for Strayer University in multiple locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Greensboro, North Carolina. She excelled in her career in top-level roles that covered admissions, recruitment, establishing new campuses, and training established locations. In 2012, she married her husband, Chris Brim, and the couple relocated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “My husband had been an entrepreneur…

On Feb. 1, 1960, the day four brave North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University freshmen sat at Greensboro’s segregated whites-only Woolworth’s lunch counter and challenged segregation, remains our most famous date since March 9, 1891. For decades, the outstanding legacy of the Greensboro sit-ins has been honored by the North Carolina A&T community with a commemorative breakfast. After decades of celebrations, you may wonder how the custom of the breakfast began. In the history books, the commemoration wasn’t always a breakfast and it was not always hosted on the Aggieland campus. David Richmond, Ezell Blair (Jibreel Khazan), Joseph McNeil and Franklin McCain received many honors soon after the sit-in…

On January 13, 2023, The Tanya S. James Foundation and ProSeed Foundation announced that they will be joining forces this year for a life-changing international endeavor – building a school in the Kapakoko Village of the Divo, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) in West Africa. Philanthropist Tanya S. James ’99 has a reputable history of successful humanitarian efforts. For nearly twenty years, prior to her foundation being established in 2022, James has created a lasting impact amongst individuals, communities, and organizations. Some of her most notable projects include establishing a college scholarship, assisting with medical bills, adopting classrooms, funding mission trips, donating to study-abroad ventures, refurnishing homes damaged by natural disasters,…

Can you imagine watching the movie, “The Green Book,” and the business you are currently developing is listed as one of the locations in the film? This was reality for Natalie Pass-Miller ‘01 in 2018 when she became the owner of The Historic Magnolia House, an events venue, restaurant, and bed and breakfast located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Unbeknownst to Pass-Miller at the time of taking over, the Magnolia House was one of four Green Book sites in North Carolina that aided in the safety of Black travelers during segregation. Pass-Miller, a native of Greensboro, learned about the Magnolia House when her father, Samuel Pass purchased the home in 1995…

Leading and stepping into the forefront of every Blue and Gold Marching Machine performance are the drum majors. Planners, choreographers, drill masters and much more, the drum major is the leader of the band and responsible for the showmanship, professionalism, and exciting Aggie Pride that shows in each performance. Historically drum majors date back to military music practices from the 1600s. As in the military, the drum majors at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University lead a musical army. The Blue and Gold Marching Machine (BGMM) wage war on the halftime battlefield each and every game. The army is well trained to represent and demonstrate Aggie Pride nationwide. Also,…