{"id":14380,"date":"2025-10-21T19:13:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T19:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/14380\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T19:13:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T19:13:07","slug":"famu-honors-bernard-and-shirley-kinsey-with-band-hall-naming-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/14380\/","title":{"rendered":"FAMU Honors Bernard and Shirley Kinsey with Band Hall Naming Ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 Florida A&M University (FAMU) officially named its band rehearsal hall in honor
\n of two of its most distinguished alumni\u2014Bernard W. Shirley, L.H.D. and Shirley Pooler Kinsey, L.H.D.\u2014during a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at 9 a.m.<\/p>\n

The newly dedicated \u201cDrs. Bernard W. and Shirley Pooler Kinsey Band Hall, Home of the Marching \u201c100,\u201d stands as a tribute to the couple\u2019s unwavering commitment to education, philanthropy,
\n and the preservation of African American history and culture.<\/p>\n

Proud FAMU graduates, the Kinsey family entered the hall to the sounds of the Marching \u201c100\u201d playing the \u201cFAMU Spirit.\u201d Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Valencia Matthews, Ph.D., served as mistress of ceremonies, opening with remarks that captured the energy of
\n the occassion.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday we gather to honor two of the most illustrious members of our FAMUly, Shirley
\n and Bernard Kinsey, African American treasures and proud Rattlers who have joyfully
\n embraced their roles as stewards of our culture, champions of education, and ambassadors
\n of excellence,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Drs.Bernard W. Kinsey, L.H.D. and Shirley Pooler Kinsey, L.H.D., share an embrace during
\n a ceremony celebrating the marching hall band being named in their honor. (Photo by
\n Glenn Beil\/FAMU)\u00a0<\/p>\n

The celebration recognized the Kinseys\u2019 transformative impact on generations of students
\n and their steadfast belief in the power of giving, cultural pride, and service. They
\n have spent more than five decades uplifting communities through education, philanthropy,
\n and art. Their Kinsey African American Art & History Collection<\/a>\u2014recognized as one of the most significant and comprehensive collections of African American art<\/a>, artifacts, and archival materials\u2014has reached more than 16 million people across three continents.<\/p>\n

Among those in attendance was Matthew Knowles, record executive and businessman, who is also the father of music icon Beyonc\u00e9.
\n A longtime friend of Bernard Kinsey, the two first met while working at Xerox more
\n than 50 years ago.<\/p>\n

\"MatthewRecord executive Matthew Knowles reflects on the profound impact that Bernard Kinsey,
\n L.H.D., had at Xerox, where the two first crossed paths as colleagues. (Photo by Glenn
\n Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have influenced and inspired many of us. Your efforts have fostered a sense of
\n connection and support within our community. We are incredibly proud of you and the
\n dedication of the Bernard and Shirley Pooler Kinsey Band Hall,\u201d he said. \u201cWe cherish
\n very much your friendship and the impact it has had on our lives. As we reflect upon
\n your remarkable contributions, let me leave you with a powerful thought: the influence
\n of one vital person can send forth waves of inspiration and change that resonate far
\n beyond their lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, FAMU awarded honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to Shirley
\n Kinsey and their son, Khalil Kinsey, during the university\u2019s Spring 2025 Commencement.
\n It was a full-circle moment for the family\u2014Bernard Kinsey was the first alumnus to
\n receive the same distinction from former FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries, Ph.D., in 1987.<\/p>\n

\"PresidentFAMU’s 13th President Marva Johnson, J.D. and the Kinsey family enthusiastically display
\n the rattler strike during the band hall naming ceremony in their honor. (Photo by
\n Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

Boundless Generosity\u00a0<\/p>\n

That spirit of continuity and purpose was emphasized by the remarks of FAMU President Marva Johnson, J.D., who reflected on the significance of honoring the Kinseys within a space that helped
\n shape their journey.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cToday holds a lot of tradition and this building holds a lot of history. This is
\n the place where our band students have learned not only notes but life lessons that
\n have propelled them to many places in life and to much greater stages than just their
\n instruments would demonstrate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The president noted how, over the years, the Kinseys have given generously to support
\n the institution and the Marching \u201c100,\u201d purchasing band uniforms and instruments,
\n sponsoring travel for the band\u2019s historic 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade appearance,
\n and contributing to the renovation of the Galimore-Powell Athletic Fieldhouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou represent the success we imagine for every one of our students,\u201d Johnson added.
\n \u201cYou represent the generosity that we hope all of our alumni feel to pay it forward\u2014and
\n the impact that each of us can make as we strive to achieve and leave our mark on
\n the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KhalilKhalil Kinsey, L.H.D., son of iconic FAMU couple Bernard W. Kinsey, L.H.D. and Shirley
\n Pooler Kinsey, L.H.D, expresses his admiration for the legacy his parents have carved
\n out and the meaning it has given him. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

What’s In a Name?<\/p>\n

During the ceremony, Khalil Kinsey, COO and creative direcctor of the Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Arts &
\n Education , shared reflections on his family’s legacy.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThey gave their names meaning, and now what will adorn the walls outside and the
\n spirit inside this building is an example,\u201d he said. \u201cNot because it\u2019s them necessarily,
\n but because of the power of the example of what they\u2019ve done. And that\u2019s what we all
\n need in life\u2014something to look at to help inform our steps.\u201d<\/p>\n

His words seemed to capture the essence of generational purpose, something that has
\n guided Khalil Kinsey and appeared to set the stage for the genteel matriarch, Shirley Pooler Kinsey, L.H.D., who offered heartfelt gratitude to the FAMU community.<\/p>\n

\"ShirleyShirley Kinsey, L.H.D., was filled with emotion as she shared her appreciation for
\n FAMU and what the naming ceremony means for her and her family. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s truly an honor to know that our names will be on this building\u2014I think I heard
\n someone say, forever,\u201d she said. \u201cI can see our ancestors smiling right now and reminding
\n us that yes, we are the answer to their prayers. They dreamed this for us, and that\u2019s
\n why it\u2019s happening. Amen. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all the hands,
\n heads, and hearts that went into making this day happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lessons for the Next Generation<\/p>\n

In his remarks, Bernard Kinsey left the audience with what he called \u201cnuggets for life\u201d\u2014principles grounded in resilience
\n and responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the meanings we want to leave with you this morning is the meaning of gratitude,\u201d
\n he said, recalling how he and Shirley rebuilt their lives after losing their California
\n home to wildfires. \u201cYou have to be in a position that you can do what you have to
\n do under all circumstances. It makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BernardBernard Kinsey, L.H.D. shares words of wisdom as he spoke to guests on Thursday, Oct.
\n 16, 2025. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

He urged students to prepare for success and remain adaptable.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea of having options in your life is one of the things I want every one of
\n us to understand, particularly the [Marching] \u201c100\u201d and young FAMUans. How important
\n it is to have a backup to the backup. The essence of your being is how am I going
\n to continue, where am I going in the future\u2014and that\u2019s what informs you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The philanthropist also shared his favorite quote\u2014one that had the crowd repeating
\n aloud:<\/p>\n

\u201cGod grant me a gift to give it to someone else that needs it more than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BernardBernard W. and Shirley Pooler Kinsey celebrate as they behold a tribute to the work
\n they have done throughout the world spreading the name of their alma mater Florida
\n Agricultural and Mechanical University. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

He went on to reflect on the many blessings in his life and how he and Shirley have
\n used them to uplift others\u2014raising more than $40 million for humanitarian causes and
\n sending hundreds of Los Angeles high school students to FAMU. With characteristic
\n humor, he asked, \u201cWhat else are you going to do with your money?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bernard Kinsey cited the best decision he made was attending FAMU and marching in
\n the Marching \u201c100.\u201d The next best decision was meeting and marrying Shirley Pooler
\n Kinsey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud of our marriage and our son, Khalil. He is such a good person. He is remarkable
\n in so many ways and how he represents himself and us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Bernard Kinsey closed with a moving call to purpose:<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave the door open and the ladder down. That\u2019s the way out for Black folks. If we
\n are up here striving for each other, we can make this thing work. The myth of absence
\n says that we as Black folk are invisible presences. Invisible presences mean that
\n we\u2019re here\u2014we\u2019re just not part of the story, not part of the picture, not part of
\n the dialogue in this country. You know what we have to do? Say it\u2019s just not true,\u201d
\n he urged.<\/p>\n

He compared it to walking in a graveyard with no headstones. Even without the markers,
\n he said that it should be understood that everyone there did something in life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey cannot wipe us off the face of the earth. I don\u2019t care who you are; it won\u2019t
\n happen. We did it through slavery. We did it through Jim Crow. We did it through segregation.
\n We did it through voter suppression\u2014and we\u2019ll do it through this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Johnson,FAMU President Marva Johnson, J.D., Bernard W. Kinsey, L.H.D. and Shirley Pooler Kinsey,
\n L.H.D. take in fireworks and football during FAMU’s homecoming game. (Photo by Glenn
\n Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

Media Contact:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to Stories<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 Florida A&M University (FAMU) officially named its band rehearsal hall in honor of two of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14381,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[232,234,233],"class_list":["post-14380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee-headlines","tag-tallahassee-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}