TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni and community
partners to a Morning Prayer Breakfast on Monday, April 20, as part of the investiture
celebration for Marva B. Johnson, J.D., the University’s 13th president.
Held in the Grand Ballroom, the gathering served as a moment of reflection, gratitude
and spiritual grounding ahead of the University’s formal investiture ceremony, bringing
together the Rattler community in a shared sense of purpose and anticipation.
“We intentionally began the investiture with the president’s prayer breakfast because
it grounds this historic moment in what matters most: faith, purpose and service,”
said Vice President of University Advancement Brandi Tatum-Fedrick, who served as co-chair of the investiture committee. “Before the celebration, we
came together in reflection and unity, setting the spiritual foundation for the leadership
and vision that will guide Florida A&M University forward.”
The prayer breaksfast was full of lively energy, reverance and fellowship. (Photo
by Orlando Nieves)
The program opened with a welcome led by Bishop Quincy Griffin, followed by the buffet-style breakfast before transitioning into a curated sequence
of musical selections and prayers led by campus and community voices.
The FAMU Gospel Choir delivered multiple musical performances throughout the morning,
ending with an uplifting rendition of Donnie McClurkin’s “Total Praise,” which moved
guests to their feet in a standing ovation.
The occasion then featured a series of theme prayers guided by the University’s values
of “head, heart and hand. Additional guest clergy were Elder Jay Green of LoveWorld Ministries, and Angie L. Wiggins of Wellspring of Life International.
Kennedi Lowe, a junior, business administration major, represented the student body as she led
the audience in a “heart” prayer.
“Lord, we lift up the heart of this University — the students. We are the reason the
lamps burn bright on The Hill. We are the dreams our ancestors dared to believe,”
she said. “And today, as we stand at this sacred moment of Investiture, we ask for
Your anointing upon every student who walks these grounds, from first-year freshman
to doctoral candidate.”
Kenedi Lowe reminded guests that students are the heart of FAMU, a place that is helping
them realize their dreams. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)
A Thurgood Marshall scholar, Lowe asked that the FAMU community be grounded in excellence
and guided by wisdom, integrity, courage and compassion as it enters a new era of
leadership under President Johnson.
She gave thanksgiving for the professors, staff and alumnus for their investment in
the students and institution.
In closing, Lowe reminded listeners that “We are not just attending a university —
we are continuing a legacy. We are FAMU. We are excellence on the rise. We are Your
servants, sharpened for such a time as this.”
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., gave rousing remarks and expressed gratitude for
the transpersonal connection that washed over the room. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)
Shortly thereafter, President Johnson took to the podium to give a FAMU forward message
to her guests.
“Thank you for creating a space this morning that was not about ceremony, but about
covering. About grounding. About reminding us that before we lead, we must be led,”
she said.
President Johnson expressed her gratitude for the leadership in the room, the music
and for the prayers spoken over FAMU and its future.
“This morning is a gift. It’s a moment to pause, a moment to reflect and a moment
for us all to align,” Johnson said. “It’s a reminder that before we move forward,
we have to be centered.”
The audience of faculty, staff, alumni, community leaders and dignataries were moved
to their feet by President Marva Johnson’s takeaways. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)
Throughout her remarks, she emphasized that the gathering was about more than ceremony,
underscoring the spiritual foundation guiding the University’s future.
“As you know, it is not about ceremony, it’s about covering. It’s about grounding,
and it’s about reminding us that before we can lead, we have to be led,” she said.
Johnson also reflected on the collective responsibility of the FAMU community, calling
for unity, purpose and a commitment to excellence that extends beyond measurable outcomes.
“As we move FAMU forward, we must not simply be focused on growth and metrics,” she
said. “We are focused on our students, a higher purpose, a greater impact and on making
sure that excellence is not occasional but embedded in every single thing that we
do.”
She described her mantra as a call for discipline in focus and united in effort.
“To operate not in silos, but in sync. To ensure that every decision reflects not
just ambition, but alignment. To build systems that outlast moments, and opportunities
that will outlive every single one of us,” she said.
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D. paused for a photo with her mother before entering
the Grand Ballroom at FAMU. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)
The event also carried a personal significance, as Johnson’s husband, Stephen Johnson, and mother, Annette Brown, were also in attendance.
The President expressed gratitude to her mother for teaching her to focus on what
matters and for surrounding her with praying people. A foundation that she said continues
to guide her leadership.
As her remarks drew to a close, President Johnson noted, “And if this morning has
shown us anything, it is that we have what we need to do just that. We have faith.
We have community. We have a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves,”
she said.
Also in attendance was FAMU alumnus Daryl Parks, an engaged community member and partner, who reflected on the significance of the
morning and the University’s shared vision moving forward.
“Today has been an amazing morning as we came together to cover our president and
align with her vision as a university moving forward to serve our students,” Parks
said. “It was a blessed occasion.”
FAMU’s 13th President Marva B. Johnson kicked off her official investiture activities
with a morning prayer breakfast. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)
Heather Beasley, senior administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Science and Technology,
talked about the impact of the prayer breakfast and its significance for the University’s
future.
“I think that this event was very uplifting, motivating and inspirational as we continue
to push FAMU forward,” she said. “If we lean on the foundation and use the blueprint
that was laid before us, FAMU will continue to be forever excellent with caring.”
Latosha Marshall, STEM coordinator for FAMU Developmental Research School (DRS), shared her perspective
on the importance of maintaining the University’s values.
“I was invited by a friend to participate this morning, and I’ve done some work with
the president at the Capitol, so I was excited to be here,” she noted. “Moving forward,
I just want to see FAMU uphold the same values that we’ve always held.”
Johnson ended her remarks with closed with a call to action rooted in faith, unity
and intentional leadership.
“Let us make sure that we are committed to choosing a more excellent way, consistently
and collectively,” she said. “Because that is how we honor what has been poured into
each of us this morning and that is how we ensure that FAMU continues to rise, evolve
and to serve here on the highest of seven hills.”
The celebration continues tomorrow with the official investiture ceremony at 11 a.m.
in Lee Hall, followed by a reception on the Quad. The day will culminate with the
President’s Wind Symphony Concert at 7 p.m., also in Lee Hall.
Media Contact
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu