(Capital Outlook) – I have had the humble and high honor of serving on three of the four venerable Historically Black Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees in my beloved state of Florida. These outstanding and prestigious universities are Florida Memorial University in Miami, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, and I currently serve on the board at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, where I am chairman of the academic and athletics committees.
I have joyfully, faithfully and persistently given my time, resources and prayers to support, sustain and strengthen the four premier HBCUs in Florida, in particular, and have been and continue to be a promoter, proponent and protector of HBCUs, in general.
Many of my family members, including my wife, mother, siblings, in-laws, hundreds of my parishioners and countless number of friends attended and graduated from HBCUs. I also am a graduate of an HBCU, Virginia Union University School of Theology. My point is that supporting HBCUs is a calling for me personally, professionally, culturally and spiritually. I feel these universities and colleges are positioned on sacred and holy ground. It has been my lifelong passion, vigor, zeal and determination to not only see these HBCUs in Florida survive but thrive…