![\"Bishop](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1024x768_PastorPrayer.jpg\" "\\"Bishop")
The prayer breaksfast was full of lively energy, reverance and fellowship. (Photo\n by Orlando Nieves)<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014\u00a0Florida A&M University (FAMU) welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni and community
\n partners to a Morning Prayer Breakfast on Monday, April 20, as part of the investiture
\n celebration for\u00a0Marva B. Johnson, J.D., the University\u2019s 13th president.<\/p>\n
Held in the Grand Ballroom, the gathering served as a moment of reflection, gratitude
\n and spiritual grounding ahead of the University\u2019s formal investiture ceremony, bringing
\n together the Rattler community in a shared sense of purpose and anticipation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe intentionally began the investiture with the president\u2019s prayer breakfast because
\n it grounds this historic moment in what matters most: faith, purpose and service,\u201d
\n said Vice President of University Advancement Brandi Tatum-Fedrick, who served as co-chair of the investiture committee. \u201cBefore the celebration, we
\n came together in reflection and unity, setting the spiritual foundation for the leadership
\n and vision that will guide Florida A&M University forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
The prayer breaksfast was full of lively energy, reverance and fellowship. (Photo
\n by Orlando Nieves)<\/p>\n
The program opened with a welcome led by Bishop Quincy Griffin, followed by the buffet-style breakfast before transitioning into a curated sequence
\n of musical selections and prayers led by campus and community voices.<\/p>\n
The FAMU Gospel Choir delivered multiple musical performances throughout the morning,
\n ending with an uplifting rendition of Donnie McClurkin\u2019s \u201cTotal Praise,\u201d which moved
\n guests to their feet in a standing ovation.<\/p>\n
The occasion then featured a series of theme prayers guided by the University\u2019s values
\n of \u201chead, heart and hand. Additional guest clergy were Elder Jay Green of LoveWorld Ministries, and Angie L. Wiggins of Wellspring of Life International.<\/p>\n
Kennedi Lowe, a junior, business administration major, represented the student body as she led
\n the audience in a \u201cheart\u201d prayer.<\/p>\n
\u201cLord, we lift up the heart of this University \u2014 the students. We are the reason the
\n lamps burn bright on The Hill. We are the dreams our ancestors dared to believe,\u201d
\n she said. \u201cAnd today, as we stand at this sacred moment of Investiture, we ask for
\n Your anointing upon every student who walks these grounds, from first-year freshman
\n to doctoral candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Kenedi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1024x768_KenediLowe.jpg\" "\\"Kenedi")
Kenedi Lowe reminded guests that students are the heart of FAMU, a place that is helping
\n them realize their dreams. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)<\/p>\n
A Thurgood Marshall scholar, Lowe asked that the FAMU community be grounded in excellence
\n and guided by wisdom, integrity, courage and compassion as it enters a new era of
\n leadership under President Johnson.<\/p>\n
She gave thanksgiving for the professors, staff and alumnus for their investment in
\n the students and institution.<\/p>\n
In closing, Lowe reminded listeners that \u201cWe are not just attending a university \u2014
\n we are continuing a legacy. We are FAMU. We are excellence on the rise. We are Your
\n servants, sharpened for such a time as this.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1024x768_PMJLaughing.jpg\" "\\"President")
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., gave rousing remarks and expressed gratitude for
\n the transpersonal connection that washed over the room. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)<\/p>\n
Shortly thereafter, President Johnson took to the podium to give a FAMU forward message
\n to her guests.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for creating a space this morning that was not about ceremony, but about
\n covering. About grounding. About reminding us that before we lead, we must be led,\u201d
\n she said.<\/p>\n
President Johnson expressed her gratitude for the leadership in the room, the music
\n and for the prayers spoken over FAMU and its future.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis morning is a gift. It\u2019s a moment to pause, a moment to reflect and a moment
\n for us all to align,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s a reminder that before we move forward,
\n we have to be centered.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1024x768_RobertSeniors.jpg\" "\\"Robert")
The audience of faculty, staff, alumni, community leaders and dignataries were moved
\n to their feet by President Marva Johnson’s takeaways. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)<\/p>\n
Throughout her remarks, she emphasized that the gathering was about more than ceremony,
\n underscoring the spiritual foundation guiding the University\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you know, it is not about ceremony, it\u2019s about covering. It\u2019s about grounding,
\n and it\u2019s about reminding us that before we can lead, we have to be led,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Johnson also reflected on the collective responsibility of the FAMU community, calling
\n for unity, purpose and a commitment to excellence that extends beyond measurable outcomes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we move FAMU forward, we must not simply be focused on growth and metrics,\u201d she
\n said. \u201cWe are focused on our students, a higher purpose, a greater impact and on making
\n sure that excellence is not occasional but embedded in every single thing that we
\n do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She described her mantra as a call for discipline in focus and united in effort. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo operate not in silos, but in sync. To ensure that every decision reflects not
\n just ambition, but alignment. To build systems that outlast moments, and opportunities
\n that will outlive every single one of us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1024x768_PMJMom.jpg\" "\\"President")
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D. paused for a photo with her mother before entering
\n the Grand Ballroom at FAMU. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)<\/p>\n
The event also carried a personal significance, as Johnson\u2019s husband,\u00a0Stephen Johnson, and mother, Annette Brown, were also in attendance.<\/p>\n
The President expressed gratitude to her mother for teaching her to focus on what
\n matters and for surrounding her with praying people. A foundation that she said continues
\n to guide her leadership.<\/p>\n
As her remarks drew to a close, President Johnson noted, \u201cAnd if this morning has
\n shown us anything, it is that we have what we need to do just that. We have faith.
\n We have community. We have a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves,\u201d
\n she said.<\/p>\n
Also in attendance was\u00a0FAMU alumnus Daryl Parks, an engaged community member and partner, who reflected on the significance of the
\n morning and the University\u2019s shared vision moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday has been an amazing morning as we came together to cover our president and
\n align with her vision as a university moving forward to serve our students,\u201d Parks
\n said. \u201cIt was a blessed occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1024x768_PMJSmiling.jpg\" "\\"President")
FAMU’s 13th President Marva B. Johnson kicked off her official investiture activities
\n with a morning prayer breakfast. (Photo by Orlando Nieves)<\/p>\n
Heather Beasley, senior administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Science and Technology,
\n talked about the impact of the prayer breakfast and its significance for the University\u2019s
\n future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that this event was very uplifting, motivating and inspirational as we continue
\n to push FAMU forward,\u201d she said. \u201cIf we lean on the foundation and use the blueprint
\n that was laid before us, FAMU will continue to be forever excellent with caring.\u201d<\/p>\n
Latosha Marshall, STEM coordinator for FAMU Developmental Research School (DRS), shared her perspective
\n on the importance of maintaining the University\u2019s values.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was invited by a friend to participate this morning, and I\u2019ve done some work with
\n the president at the Capitol, so I was excited to be here,\u201d she noted. \u201cMoving forward,
\n I just want to see FAMU uphold the same values that we\u2019ve always held.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson ended her remarks with closed with a call to action rooted in faith, unity
\n and intentional leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet us make sure that we are committed to choosing a more excellent way, consistently
\n and collectively,\u201d she said. \u201cBecause that is how we honor what has been poured into
\n each of us this morning and that is how we ensure that FAMU continues to rise, evolve
\n and to serve here on the highest of seven hills.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The celebration continues tomorrow with the official investiture ceremony at 11 a.m.
\n in Lee Hall, followed by a reception on the Quad. The day will culminate with the
\n President\u2019s Wind Symphony Concert at 7 p.m., also in Lee Hall.<\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1024x768_Investiture.jpg\" "\\"President")
<\/p>\n
Media Contact<\/p>\n
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n