MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama State University is taking another significant step in expanding opportunities for its students beyond the classroom.

The HBCU has announced a strategic partnership with Callan JMB Inc. that will connect students and faculty to the company’s planned Atlas Complex, a 150-acre pharmaceutical manufacturing and medical logistics campus under development in Marion, Alabama.

The collaboration is designed to strengthen workforce development, applied research, and innovation while helping prepare the next generation of professionals for careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, healthcare logistics, and supply chain management.

For Alabama State, the partnership carries added significance. The university was founded in Marion in 1867 before relocating to Montgomery, making the project a return to its historic roots while investing in the future of Alabama’s economy.

Under the agreement, ASU students will have access to internship opportunities, faculty-led research projects, and academic programs aligned with the growing pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. The initiative also aims to connect students directly with companies expected to establish operations within the Atlas Complex.

Callan JMB envisions the Atlas Complex as more than a manufacturing site. The campus is being developed as an integrated hub where pharmaceutical production, research, workforce training, quality assurance, and logistics operate together under one ecosystem. Company officials believe the project will help strengthen domestic pharmaceutical production while reducing reliance on overseas manufacturing.

Once fully developed, Callan JMB projects the Atlas Complex could generate more than $430 million in annual revenue while creating hundreds of high-quality jobs and expanding Alabama’s role in the nation’s growing life sciences sector.

“Our vision has always been to create an ecosystem where higher education, innovation, and industry work together,” said Callan JMB CEO Wayne Williams in a statement. “Alabama State University is an exceptional partner as we work to strengthen America’s pharmaceutical capabilities.”

The partnership also builds upon an existing relationship between the university and Callan JMB that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the company supported Alabama State’s health and safety initiatives.

ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. said the new agreement gives students meaningful opportunities to gain real-world experience while contributing to one of the country’s fastest-growing industries.

“As a university committed to preparing students to lead, innovate, and serve, Alabama State University is proud to partner with Callan JMB on an initiative that connects education directly with industry,” Ross said.

For HBCUs, partnerships like this continue to demonstrate their growing influence in STEM education, workforce development, and economic innovation. As pharmaceutical manufacturing increasingly returns to the United States, Alabama State is positioning its students to play a key role in shaping the industry’s future.

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HBCU Original Take: This partnership extends far beyond internships. It places Alabama State University at the center of a major economic development initiative that could create new research opportunities, expand career pathways for students, and strengthen the university’s impact on Alabama’s growing life sciences industry.

By Charity L. Cohen | June 18, 2026

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Fellowship Gospel Choir has long carried the “award-winning” tag, and now the group is in line to add to that reputation. The choir has been nominated for a Stellar Award in the newly created HBCU Choir of the Year category.

The choir joins four other finalists — Howard University, the Morgan State University Choir, the Southern University Gospel Choir and the Fort Valley State University Choir — in a category designed to honor outstanding gospel choirs from historically Black colleges and universities. Winners will be announced at the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin will host.

The nomination adds another chapter to a 57-year history for the Fellowship Gospel Choir, which has served as a spiritual anchor for the A&T community and a symbol of the university’s dedication to faith, fellowship and musical craftsmanship.

Across those decades, the choir has shared the stage with major names in gospel and beyond, including Fred Hammond, Jason Nelson, Big Sean and Elevation Rhythm — collaborations that have helped cement its identity as a group willing to express its faith boldly through music.

“This nomination shows that our work isn’t in vain and that we are accomplishing our goal of encouraging people and bringing them closer to Christ,” said choir president Antonio Mattox Jr., a rising senior. “This recognition has given us a platform to do just that because that’s the entire purpose of our organization.”

Mattox, a choir member since his first year at A&T, narrated the group’s cover of Donald Lawrence’s “Matthew 28” — the very performance submitted to Stellar Award judges that ultimately clinched the nomination.

Choir director Marcus Williams, a 2017 A&T graduate who got his start with the group as a student drummer, said the “Matthew 28” performance captured both the choir’s talent and its history.

“It was a song that showcased their vocals. It had some dope moves that the kids created with it, which speaks to our legacy at A&T, and then it also had the choir robes, which just felt nostalgic,” Williams said.

For Williams, the nomination carries weight well beyond the choir itself, extending to the broader HBCU community and to Greensboro as a whole.

“I really can’t express how big it is, especially for Greensboro, but they’re celebrating and recognizing HBCUs as a whole,” Williams said. “It’s huge, and for the legacy of the choir being recognized, it just speaks of the hard work and innovation that was done over the years.”

The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards will take place Aug. 15 in Charlotte, where organizers will crown the first-ever winner of the HBCU Choir of the Year award.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In a move that highlights the continued spirit of collaboration among Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Alabama State University (ASU) and Morris Brown College have officially entered into a new partnership designed to expand educational opportunities for students seeking advanced degrees.

The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 16, 2026, at Alabama State University’s historic campus in Montgomery, Alabama. The agreement creates a direct pathway for Morris Brown College graduates to apply for admission into Alabama State University’s graduate degree programs, including several online offerings.

University leaders say the partnership reflects a shared commitment to increasing access to higher education while preparing the next generation of professionals, educators, and community leaders.

“Historically Black colleges and universities have long worked together to create opportunities that transform lives and strengthen communities,” said Alabama State University President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. “As an institution founded to educate and prepare teachers, this partnership brings us full circle. Joining with Morris Brown College to continue that legacy makes this collaboration especially meaningful.”

The agreement is expected to create new opportunities for Morris Brown graduates seeking advanced degrees, particularly in the field of education. Alabama State University’s College of Education will play a key role in supporting students as they continue their academic journeys.

Dean Anthony Broughton emphasized the importance of the collaboration in addressing future workforce needs.

“This partnership with Morris Brown College represents our shared commitment to student achievement and to creating pathways that support educational and professional advancement,” Broughton said. “We are excited to welcome and support Morris Brown students as they pursue careers in education and help strengthen the teaching workforce for generations to come.”

The signing ceremony brought together ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. and Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin E. James, symbolizing the growing cooperation among HBCUs dedicated to student success and institutional advancement.

As HBCUs continue to innovate and build strategic partnerships, this agreement serves as another example of how Black colleges are working together to create opportunities that extend beyond graduation. The collaboration not only strengthens academic pathways but also reinforces the historic mission of HBCUs to uplift communities through education, leadership, and service.

HBCU Original Magazine will continue to follow this partnership and its impact on students across both institutions.

Tia and Jasmin Criss, twin sisters from Philadelphia, have made history at Cheyney University, graduating as valedictorian and salutatorian at the nation’s oldest HBCU.

The sisters reached the top two academic honors together, marking a rare and inspiring achievement for both their family and the university community. Their accomplishment highlights years of academic discipline, leadership, and consistency throughout their college journey.

Cheyney University, founded in 1837, holds the distinction of being the oldest HBCU in the United States, making the Criss sisters’ achievement even more meaningful within a historic academic setting.

Their story has drawn attention for not only their academic excellence, but also the unique moment of twin siblings simultaneously earning the top two graduating honors at a single institution.

When the drums start rolling and the brass section blasts the first note, something magical happens — the crowd rises, feet start stomping, and the stadium becomes a stage. That’s the power of HBCU marching bands — the lifeblood of the yard and the heartbeat of Black college pride.

Across the country, these bands have redefined what it means to perform. It’s not just about music — it’s about precision, power, and pride. Each halftime show tells a story of community, culture, and creative excellence that stretches from the campus yard to the world stage.

Legendary programs like The Human Jukebox of Southern University and The Sonic Boom of the South from Jackson State University have set the tone for decades, known for their dynamic choreography and iconic sound. The Marching 100 of Florida A&M University revolutionized marching band performance with intricate formations and high-energy brass arrangements, influencing college and high school bands globally.

But they’re not alone in this legacy.

• The Ocean of Soul (Texas Southern University) brings unmatched groove and funk to every performance.

• The Aristocrat of Bands (Tennessee State University) made history as the first HBCU band to win a GRAMMY Award in 2023 for “The Urban Hymnal.”

• The Blue and Gold Marching Machine (North Carolina A&T State University) blends traditional sound with modern flair, leading parades like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

• The Marching Storm (Prairie View A&M University) commands attention with style and showmanship, competing toe-to-toe with any major college program.

• The Spartan Legion (Norfolk State University) continues to uphold the proud musical traditions of the MEAC and SWAC.

• The Marching Maroon & White (Alabama A&M University) exemplifies disciplined performance and HBCU pride.

Additional extraordinary programs include:

• The Trojan Explosion (Virginia State University) — high-energy performances with innovative formations.

• The Red Sea of Sound (Winston-Salem State University) — signature style and powerful brass arrangements.

• The Symphony of Soul (Bowie State University) — blending soulful melodies with marching precision.

• The Marching Force (Hampton University) — a legacy of excellence on every field.

• Showtime Band (Howard University) — dynamic, creative, and nationally recognized performances.

• Sound Machine (North Carolina Central University) — a staple of modern HBCU band excellence.

From local parades to the Honda Battle of the Bands, HBCU bands bring an experience that transcends entertainment — it’s cultural storytelling through sound.

Their influence has reached far beyond the yard — from collaborations with Beyoncé’s Homecoming to halftime shows at the Super Bowl. These bands symbolize the discipline, excellence, and creativity that define HBCU culture.

For the students who march, every note is a tribute — to their ancestors, their schools, and the legacy they represent. The sound of the yard will always be more than music — it’s the soul of the HBCU experience.

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