Black Alumni Chapter

The mission of the UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter (BAC) is to support participation in University life and to promote the education of current Black students through supporting scholarship opportunities, mentoring, and providing community outreach. Furthermore, we shall enhance black alumni participation through networking, communication, and program development.

Signature Annual Events

Excellence in Leadership Awards Ceremony
BAC Homecoming Events
History Makers Old School Day Party
Juneteenth Block Party

Ways To Get Involved

Board Member: BAC Board applicants go through an application and brief interview process. Upon selection for the Board, members serve 3 year terms, participate on committees, assist with event planning and development, and volunteering at events.
Committee Volunteer: Not ready to serve as a Board member? Not a problem! Join one of the BAC committees and assist with event planning and development.
Event Volunteer: If you are looking for a one-and-done easy volunteer opportunity, sign up to receive notifications on volunteer shifts at BAC events!
Enthusiastic Supporter & Attendee: If you don’t have the time to volunteer but want to support the BAC, you can share information on BAC events and scholarships to your networks, and when you can – register and attend BAC events!
Donate: The Black Alumni Chapter has a needs-based scholarship that awards one student each year. With your financial support the Green and Gold Trailblazers Scholarship can look toward awarding an additional student!

Chapter Links

BAC volunteer interest form

BAC Application Board

Update Contact Information

BAC Homecoming Sponsorship Opportunities

Chapter Leadership

Kim Couthen '91

President

About

Sheena Pickett '06

Vice President of Finance

About

Khrystle Bullock-Sam '15

Past President

About

General Board Members

Remi Adeniji ’02
Curtis Bobray ’13
Egypt Drew ’98
Nakisa Glover ’04
Robin Green ’96
Haley Heartley ’16
Kenya Henderson ’07
Devonte Ivory ’16
Gabrielle Jones ’20
Akia Brown-Lesene ’19
Katasha Lloyd ’14
Amir Moore ’14
Michele Mveng-Magana ’15
Kourtney Peterson ’16
Jeanetta Porterfield ’19
Imana Sherrill ’94
Marcus Smith ’96
Nicole Smith ’97
Denice Valentine-Boone ’12

Excellence in Leadership Awards

2025 Excellence In Leadership Award Recipients

The UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter (BAC) Excellence in Leadership program was established in 2011 under the leadership of former BAC President Dr. Gregory Davis ’76. The purpose of the program is to recognize the accomplishments of UNC Charlotte alumni and friends who have achieved “excellence” in various areas. You can learn more about the different areas below.

Award Areas

ARTS & CULTURE
- The Arts & Culture Award celebrates creative culture and artistic expression. This award honors UNC Charlotte alumni who have enriched our lives through their contributions to visual arts, performing arts, literature, fashion, graphic design and other artistic expressions. Recipients of this award have left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of their communities.
EDUCATION
- The Education Award recognizes UNC Charlotte alumni who have dedicated their lives to nurturing knowledge and learning. Whether in traditional classrooms or through innovative educational initiatives, these honorees have empowered others to grow, develop critical thinking skills and realize their full potential.
EMERGING LEADER
- The Emerging Leader Award acknowledges UNC Charlotte alumni who are blazing trails and have shown remarkable promise as well as leadership potential. These individuals are making waves in their respective fields, demonstrating innovation, resilience and the ability to inspire others, all while paving the way for a brighter future.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- The Entrepreneurship Award celebrates the UNC Charlotte alumni pioneers of business and innovation. Recipients have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, creating and scaling ventures that not only drive economic growth but also spark innovation, create jobs and contribute to the evolution of industries.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LEADERSHIP
- The Economic Development and Leadership (Community Economics) Award acknowledges UNC Charlotte alumni who have played a pivotal role in promoting economic growth and prosperity for all members of their community in their roles as financial services professionals, contractors, developers, urban planners, decision-makers and other community leadership positions.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- The Health & Wellness Award shines a spotlight on individuals or initiatives that have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of individuals and communities. Recognizing the importance of physical, mental and emotional health, this honor celebrates those UNC Charlotte alumni who have worked tirelessly to promote healthy lifestyles, provide access to essential healthcare services and improve overall quality of life. Whether through medical advancements or community programs, recipients of this award have played a vital role in ensuring that people lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.
IMPACT & EMPOWERMENT
- The Impact & Empowerment Award recognizes UNC Charlotte alumni who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to driving positive change in our community. Through their tireless efforts, they have inspired others to make a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
PHILANTHROPHY & HUMANITARIANISM
- The Philanthropy & Humanitarianism Award pays tribute to UNC Charlotte alumni who exemplify the true essence of giving. Through their selfless acts of kindness and generosity, recipients have improved the lives of others, driven positive change and uplifted their communities.
RESEARCH & SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS
- The Research & Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Award honors UNC Charlotte alumni whose groundbreaking research and innovations have advanced our understanding of the world and pushed the boundaries of human knowledge and capability.
DR. GREGORY DAVIS VISIONARY LEADERSHIP AWARD
- The Visionary Leadership Award is the highest honor of the Excellence in Leadership Awards, celebrating UNC Charlotte alumni who have demonstrated transformational and innovative leadership. This award is reflective of alumni who have given back to the university through time, talent or treasure and are passionate about the university while making a meaningful impact on the community. In the spirit of Sankofa where “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind,” this award shines a light on alumni who have shown deep commitment to creating a better future for the university and the community.

Previous Award Recipients

In previous years, honorees were recognized in the areas of Entrepreneurship (2011), Education (2012), and Public Service (2014). In 2015, the program changed its focus to Excellence in Leadership in order recognize individuals in multiple categories.

2025

Masonya Bennett ’07, ’11
Excellence in Emerging Leader

Roslyn Dixon ’92
Excellence in Entrepreneurship

George Dunlap ’92, ’04
Excellence in Philanthropy & Humanitarianism

Tisha Perkins Greene ’01, ’04
Excellence in Education

Johnathan Hill ’13
Excellence in Equitable Economic Development & Leadership

Robyn Massey ’81
Dr. Gregory Davis Visionary Leadership Award

Kimberly R. Moffitt ’92
Excellence in Activism & Advocacy

Danielle Moore ’07
Excellence in Health & Wellness

Sherman Mumford ’99
Excellence in Research & Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Jamil Steele ’05
Excellence in Arts & Culture

2024

LaShanda Millner ’88
Dr. Gregory Davis Visionary Leadership Award

Vernisha Crawford ’12
Excellence in Health & Wellness

Sonja Yvette Murphy-Erby ’85
Excellence in Activism & Advocacy

Kevin Lattimore ’01
Excellence in Arts & Culture

Brittany Scott ’15
Excellence in Emerging Leader

James Ford ’22
Excellence in Education

Barry Smith ’88
Excellence in Entrepreneurship

Victoria Watlington ’13, ’23
Excellence in Equitable Economic Development & Leadership

Makala Carrington ’19
Excellence in Research & Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Stephanie Thompson ’81
Excellence in Philanthropy & Humanitarianism

2022

E. Terrell Blackmon ‘89
Excellence in Public Service

Allen Levi Simmons ‘20
Excellence in Public Service

Austin Duke ‘16
Excellence in Emerging Leader

Chrystal Giles ‘06
Excellence in Arts

Robyn Massey ‘81
Excellence in Philanthropy

Vontina McGrant ‘02
Excellence in Education

Kimberly Moore-Wright ‘95
Excellence in Financial Services

Michelle B. Pass, Ph.D ‘20
Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Ohavia Phillips ‘15
Excellence in Entrepreneurship

2020

Toya Corbett, Ph.D. ’97
Education

Trinisha Dean ’06, ’13, ’14
Education

Marsaynee Attia ’05, ’08
S.T.E.M.

Boris “Bluz” Rogers ’06
the Arts

Tchernavia Montgomery MSW, LCSW ’08, ’09
Public Service

Rose Brown ’17
Public ServiceDr. Gregory Davis Visionary Leadership Award

2019

Robin Green ’96
Education

Judge Linda Bratton Haynes ’80
Public Service

Khaleel Loyd ’14
Entrepreneurship

Derek Ross ’05
Entrepreneurship

Pamela Wideman ’06
Public Service

BJ Williams ’10
Education

2018

Emma Allen ’84
Entrepreneurship

Tesha Boyd ’91
Philanthropy

Keith Cradle ’07
Public Service

Robert Rowell ’81
Financial Services

Rondell Richardson ’99
Healthcare

Tiffani Teachey ’03, ’05
S.T.E.M.

2017

Vicki Foster ’91
Public Service

Kenya Henderson ’07
Healthcare

Tasha Holland-Kornegay ’96
Healthcare

Christopher Moxley ’03
Entrepreneurship

Nikki Rushing
Entrepreneurship

Derrick Wiley ’96
Public Service

2016

Dr. Octavia Cannon
Healthcare

Bernard Felder ’91
Entrepreneurship

David L. Howard ’96
Public Service

Dr. Arthur Jackson
Education

Teross Young ’93
Public Service

2015

Tanya Brown ’94
Advocacy

Herb & Felecia Gray
Philanthropy

Dr. Derrick Griffith ‘93, Posthumously
Education

Dr. Valencia Jeffcoat
Healthcare

Damian & Jermaine Johnson
Entrepreneurship

Kerr Putney ’92
Public Service

2014

Victoria Johnson
Public Service

Yvonne McJetters
Public Service

Freda Lester ’88
Public Service

Sylivia Smith-Phifer ’90
Public Service

Bobbette Willis ’99
Public Service

2012

Adrienne Barnette ’04, ’07
Education

Tara Chappell-Powell ’06
Education

Judy Goins ’97
Education

Kyle Polk ’03
Education

2011

Geraldine Brisbane Cooks ’09
Entrepreneurship

Rolanda Gabriel ’03
Entrepreneurship

Kenston Griffin
Entrepreneurship

Charles Kirby ’89
Entrepreneurship

Masherrill Koonce ’81
Entrepreneurship

Kamal & Kelley Mitchell
Entrepreneurship

CONTACT

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at 49eralumni@charlotte.edu or 704-687-7799.