{"id":22925,"date":"2025-10-27T22:27:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T22:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/22925\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T22:27:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T22:27:07","slug":"famu-hosts-inaugural-alumni-and-corporate-partners-luncheon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/22925\/","title":{"rendered":"FAMU Hosts Inaugural Alumni and Corporate Partners Luncheon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tallahassee, Fla.\u2014 Florida A&M University (FAMU) hosted its inaugural Alumni and Corporate Partners
\n Luncheon during homecoming, in the university\u2019s historic Gaither Gymnasium, a fitting
\n venue for an afternoon dedicated to legacy, leadership, and the transformative power
\n of giving.<\/p>\n

The luncheon united alumni, corporate partners, university leaders, and students to
\n honor those shaping FAMU\u2019s future through their unwavering support. Attendees enjoyed
\n an atmosphere buzzing with energy and Rattler pride, as DJ Bo Weezy provided the musical
\n backdrop for an event filled with networking, heartfelt speeches, and celebration.<\/p>\n

“The investments made today will go toward the FAMU Forever Scholarship Fund, which
\n helps open doors and remove financial barriers for our students,\u201d said Brandi Tatum-Federick, Ph.D., acting vice president of University Advancement and
\n executive director of the FAMU Foundation. \u201cIt\u2019s more than a donation\u2014it\u2019s a declaration that we believe in our students and
\n their futures.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following her remarks, Vaughn Wilson of HBCU Gameday hosted a special sit-down conversation
\n with FAMU Head Football Coach James Colzie III and Marching \u201c100\u201d Director Shelby Chipman, Ph.D., highlighting the importance of supporting FAMU Athletics and the ESPN \u201cBand of the
\n Year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Honoring Excellence: Rattlers Who Give Back<\/p>\n

The highlight of the event was a special awards presentation recognizing outstanding
\n FAMU alumni and partners who exemplify what it means to give back with purpose:<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Rattler Impact Award was presented to Shundrawn Thomas, founder and managing partner of The Copia Group, a private investment firm which provides capital solutions for lower middle market
\n companies and drives social impact through the power of scalable businesses.<\/p>\n

Thomas, a distinguished graduate, has significantly contributed to FAMU through leadership,
\n service, advocacy, and generous donations. His enduring commitment and vision have
\n made a tangible impact on students and the broader community.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Together in Excellence Award was presented to Zachary and Roshell Rinkins. Zachary is the president and CEO of Rinkins Multimedia Ventures, LLC and the public
\n information officer for Broward County Animal Care. Roshell Rinkins is the vice president
\n of grants administration and chief diversity officer for the Knight Foundation.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The Rinkins are a dynamic Rattler couple whose shared passion and joint contributions
\n have elevated the university community through consistent engagement, mentorship,
\n and giving. They also celebrated 10 years married during homecoming this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cFAMU is part of our love story. We started volunteering early and as our wealth grew,
\n we started to invest in different areas.\u201d shared Roshell Rinkins.<\/p>\n

Zachary Rinkins said that the world depends on Rattlers, and the world cannot be let
\n down.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a family, we believe in investing in a sustainable FAMU. Every contribution we
\n make is a statement of faith in our future and a reminder that we\u2019re doing our part
\n to build a FAMU that will educate Rattlers for generations to come,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Excellence in Partnership Award was presented to HCA Healthcare, as a corporate partner whose support has been instrumental in advancing the university\u2019s
\n mission. Through hiring initiatives, sponsorships, and philanthropic efforts, HCA
\n continues to empower students and alumni alike.<\/p>\n

A Moment of Gratitude and Giving<\/p>\n

Guests enjoyed a butler-style lunch featuring a curated menu of appetizers, entr\u00e9es,
\n and desserts, while also hearing remarks from university leaders including Kenneth Neighbors, president of the FAMU Foundation Board.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gather and garner gifts to help our students thrive,\u201d he said. \u201cThank you for
\n believing in the potential of every Rattler.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KennethKenneth Neighbors, president of the FAMU Foundation Board.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other speakers included FAMU alum and former King of Orange and Green, Chazriq Clarke, owner of the popular Chazam Fans, FAMU Foundation Student Board Member Hannah Kirby, and Kimberly Hankerson, assistant vice president of Major Gifts. The luncheon also acknowledged FAMU legends
\n Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, L.H.D.s whose legacies were celebrated with the \u201cDrs. Bernard W. and Shirley Pooler\u201d Kinsey
\n Band Hall dedication and President Emeritus Frederick Humphries, Ph.D., whose statue was unveiled in front of Lee Hall.<\/p>\n

\"KimberlyKimberly Hankerson, assistant vice president of Major Gifts, gave remarks at the inaugural
\n luncheon.<\/p>\n

A Community United<\/p>\n

The luncheon was more than a ceremony\u2014it was a statement. A declaration that FAMU
\n is built not only by the excellence of its students, but by the continued investment
\n of those who believe in their potential.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo our alumni and corporate partners: Your investment is not just philanthropic\u2014it\u2019s
\n personal,\u201d said Tatum-Federick. \u201cYou\u2019re helping students achieve their dreams, and
\n in doing so, you\u2019re writing the next chapter of the FAMU legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FAMUFAMU legends Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, L.H.D.s were acknowledged at the luncheon
\n for their charitable giving. The Marching 100 Band Hall was named in their honor the
\n previous day.\u00a0 (All Photos by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n

Media Contact:<\/p>\n

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

Christina Compere-Minor
Digital + Social Media Manager
christina.compereminor@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Back to Stories<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tallahassee, Fla.\u2014 Florida A&M University (FAMU) hosted its inaugural Alumni and Corporate Partners Luncheon during homecoming, in the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22926,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[232,234,233],"class_list":["post-22925","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\/22925","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=22925"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22925\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}