HBCU
NC A&T Students Bring Artistic Vision to National Stage Through HBCU Art Exchange
(EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. – July 31, 2025) – This fall, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) is making waves beyond the classroom. Fifteen students and five faculty members from the university’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) will take part in a unique cultural and academic partnership that’s putting HBCU talent on full display.
In collaboration with Tennessee State University’s (TSU) Department of Art and Design, NC A&T will participate in the HBCU Colloquium and Art Exhibition, running from August 18 to September 11 at TSU’s Hiram Van Gordon Gallery in Nashville.
This groundbreaking initiative creates a powerful platform for artistic expression, intellectual exchange, and cultural celebration among students and educators at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The exhibition centers on curated works that examine the HBCU experience, tackle current social issues, and explore themes of identity, heritage, and resilience through art.
“This experience helps our students to grow as artists, expand their ideas, and build meaningful connections with peers and faculty,” said Dr. John Henry Jr., chair of NC A&T’s VPA department. “It’s a valuable opportunity that strengthens our program and demonstrates the talent we cultivate.”
For NC A&T students, the exhibition is more than a showcase—it’s an immersive experience in professional practice. Participants are gaining firsthand exposure to curatorial processes, engaging with peers from across the HBCU network, and discussing their work alongside established artists and professionals in the field.
One of the program’s highlights was a special day of events on Friday, August 29, including a student-led talk and a panel discussion featuring NC A&T alumnus Herb Gray ’90, a philanthropist and founder of Life Enhancement Services, a mental and behavioral healthcare agency. Gray, an avid art collector, shared his passion for African American art and spoke about its role in preserving and uplifting Black cultural identity.
The day concluded with a reception celebrating A&T’s contributions to the exhibition and affirming the university’s commitment to developing the next generation of Black creatives.
NC A&T’s visual arts program, part of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, offers students a robust, interdisciplinary curriculum. It blends studio practice, art history, media production, and teaching methodology to prepare graduates for dynamic careers in the arts and creative industries.
As the HBCU Colloquium and Art Exhibition continues to grow, NC A&T’s involvement underscores the importance of nurturing Black artistic talent and fostering connections across the HBCU community—ensuring that the voices and visions of young Black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated.
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For more information about the HBCU Colloquium United and Art Exhibition, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/art or call (615) 963-5921.
HBCU
Crawford Family Donates $2 Million to Spelman and Morehouse to Expand Opportunity for HBCU Students
(ATLANTA – April 21, 2026) — In a powerful act of legacy, gratitude, and generational impact, the Crawford family has made a transformational $2 million gift to Spelman College and Morehouse College—two of the nation’s most prestigious historically Black colleges.
The contribution includes $1 million designated for Spelman College, supporting both Spelman Strong, the institution’s unrestricted annual fund, and its general endowment—ensuring both immediate student support and long-term institutional sustainability.
The gift comes from siblings Dr. Christine Ruth Crawford (Spelman ’94), Dr. George Crawford (Morehouse ’96), and Dr. Marcus Crawford (Morehouse ’98), who say their decision reflects a lifelong commitment to giving back to the institutions that helped shape their success.
“HBCUs have always been part of our lives,” said Dr. Christine Crawford. “We were raised to give back to the places that gave us opportunity.”
A Legacy Rooted in Family and Tradition
The Crawfords’ connection to Spelman and Morehouse spans generations. Their father, a 1962 graduate of Morehouse, maintained a decades-long tradition of attending Homecoming—instilling in the family a deep sense of pride, loyalty, and responsibility to the institutions.
That legacy of giving was further reinforced by their grandmother, Ruth, who emphasized philanthropy well into her 100s.
Investing in Flexibility and the Future
By directing funds toward both unrestricted support and the endowment, the Crawford family is empowering Spelman to respond to evolving student needs—from emergency financial assistance to strategic academic initiatives—while also strengthening its long-term financial foundation.
“Departments change. Student needs change,” Dr. Crawford said. “We wanted the institutions to have the flexibility to use the funds where they can make the greatest impact.”
A Timely Gift for a Forward-Looking Vision
The contribution arrives as Spelman advances its Spelman Forward capital campaign, aimed at expanding access, enhancing academic excellence, and preparing the next generation of Black women leaders.
Spelman Interim President Rosalind “Roz” Brewer called the gift both an investment and a vote of confidence.
“This extraordinary gift affirms trust in our mission and strengthens our ability to remain bold, responsive, and future-focused,” Brewer said.
Giving Back What Cannot Be Repaid
For the Crawford family, the gift is less about recognition and more about responsibility.
“It still feels small compared to what we’ve received,” Dr. Crawford said. “The mentorship, the relationships, the sense of possibility—those things are priceless. This is our way of paying it forward.”
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