North Carolina A&T Alumni in the News

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…