Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting Awarded to HBCU Grad for the First Time

Two decades after Corey G. Johnson graduated from Florida A&M University (FAMU), he took home the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting in October 2022 for a Tampa Bay Times series revealing how a lead factory overexposed Black workers, their children, and surrounding community to dangerous amounts of lead and cancer-causing toxins. Johnson was part of a three-person team.

The recognition made Johnson the first Historically Black College or University announcement. “It’s an honor to be a part of a long-running tradition of celebrating those members of the media, who work so hard to uncover the truth and hold our government accountable.”

Knight Foundation’s New Vice President and Chief DEI Officer

(HBCU) graduate to receive this award since the Pulitzer launched the investigative category in 1964. Johnson also became the sixth Black journalist ever to win the award.

At FAMU, Johnson studied psychology and African American History, earning a bachelor’s degree from what was then the College of Arts and Sciences. The Atlanta native praised the guidance from his professors in the psychology, history, humanities, and criminal justice departments for his recent achievement.

Administration and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Rinkins had been serving as Knight’s senior director for grants administration.

join an executive team committed to turning great ideas into smart investments to help build informed and engaged communities that make the dream of democracy accessible to all.”

The Son Also Rises

Before Roy Wood Jr. was known for his comedy on The Daily Show, he studied broadcast journalism and earned his bachelor’s degree at FAMU in 2001. Now it has been announced that Wood will be the featured entertainer at the 2023 annual White House Correspondents’ dinner.

Wood is the son of a pioneer radio and television journalist Roy Wood Sr., who earned a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Black Journalists after covering the Civil Rights Movement and the South African Soweto race riots.

“It will be a great night that will go down in the history books, or not, depending on which state you live in,” Wood Jr. said in the

After earning an MBA at FAMU in 2005, Roshell R. Rinkins has been appointed vice president for Grants

“Roshell brings organizational leadership experience to help drive Knight’s core belief to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into every aspect of our work,” said Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation president.

In October 2021, the Knight Foundation donated $1.5 million to FAMU to add multimedia functionality to the University’s new Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater. This new public space, which includes the Amphitheater, is known as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Plaza.

“The work we do at the Knight Foundation is more critical than ever,” Rinkins said. “I am thrilled to

Central State University’s New Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Central State University (CSU)

President Jack Thomas, Ph.D., has announced that Kevicia Brown — who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at FAMU in pre-occupational therapy and sport management, respectively — has been selected to serve as the CSU’s new director of Intercollegiate Athletics in Wilberforce, Ohio.

He now works for ProPublica, and has been a staff writer for the Marshall Project and the Center for Investigative Reporting. He co-founded the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting with Nikole Hannah-Jones, Ron Nixon, and Topher Sanders.

“FAMU first stoked the fire of public service in me,” Johnson said. “If not for the experiences and the urging to seek advanced knowledge, none of this would have happened.”

Since October 2021, Brown served as associate athletic director for internal operations and senior women administrator at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. She was also the NCAA Athletic Diversity and Inclusion Designee and worked with the Chief Title IX Coordinator on NCAA requirements for Title IX. She served on the The Citadel’s QEP Advising Practices Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, and a CitListen Facilitator for the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center. As a member of The Citadel’s senior executive team, Brown played a crucial role in launching the Bulldog Nutrition Program.

“I am very appreciative for this opportunity to serve and guide the Central State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. I thank President Thomas and the CSU community for entrusting me to lead our athletic programs,” Brown said. “Our focus continues to be graduating and providing a quality collegiate experience for our student-athletes while building and maintaining competitive programs, both regionally and nationally.”

101-Year-Old Marine Receives a Legendary Honor

Nearly 50 years after he graduated from FAMU in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business administration, Corporal (Ret.) George J. Johnson was honored with a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal. He was honored as one of the first Black U.S. Marines, many of whom served in World War II.

According to his cousin Grace King, Johnson found the ceremony, which was held on February 6, 2023, at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, “very moving,”

“It’s hard to believe. It’s very incredible,” Johnson told a local ABC affiliate. “Those that gave it to me and those who made it possible for me to have it.”

Former FAMU Athlete Named ASU’s New Head Football Coach

Quinn Gray, Sr. has been named the 14th head football coach for the Golden Rams at Albany State University (ASU) in Albany, Georgia.

“It’s an honor to lead the football program and move the needle,” Gray said. “I look forward to taking the tradition here and continuing to move it forward.”

As a student-athlete at FAMU, Gray became the all-time leader in passing yards (7,378), pass attempts (1,113), pass completions (562), and touchdown passes (57). He holds the single-game record for most pass attempts (65 vs. North Carolina A&T in ’01).

After graduating with bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 2006, Gray played six seasons as the quarterback for the National Football League’s Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas

City Chiefs. Gray also played for the New York Sentinels in the United Football League, and led the Frankfurt Galaxy in the Europe Football League to the World Bowl Championship in 2003.

Gray is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and married to FAMU alumna Shemeka Gray. They have six children, Quine, Destiny, David, Quinn Jr., Ashton, and Londyn.

BY [ Andrew J. SKERRITT ]