Notable Alumni of North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a historically black university in Durham, North Carolina, has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields. From politics and law to arts, sports, and academia, NCCU graduates have consistently demonstrated excellence and leadership. This article highlights some of the most notable alumni who have left an indelible mark on society.
A Legacy of Excellence: North Carolina Central University
Founded in 1910 by Dr. James E. Shepard as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race, NCCU has a rich history of providing educational opportunities to African Americans. Originally a private institution, it became a state-funded school in 1923 and was renamed Durham State Normal School for Negroes. Over the years, the institution evolved, becoming North Carolina College for Negroes in 1925 and finally North Carolina Central University in 1969. NCCU's motto, "Truth and Service," reflects its commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.
Trailblazers in Fashion and Journalism
André Leon Talley, a fashion icon, served as the editor-at-large of Vogue magazine. He was the magazine's fashion news director from 1983 to 1987, its first African-American male creative director from 1988 to 1995, and then its editor-at-large from 1998 to 2013. Often regarded as a fashion icon, he was known for supporting emerging designers and advocating for diversity in the fashion industry. He was known for supporting emerging designers and advocating for diversity in the fashion industry; while the capes, kaftans, and robes he wore became his trademark look. Talley also served on the judging panel for America's Next Top Model (from Cycle 14 to Cycle 17).
Pioneers in Film and Television
Ivan Dixon, an accomplished actor, director, and producer, is best known for his role in the 1960s sitcom Hogan's Heroes and his starring roles in the 1964 independent drama Nothing But a Man and the 1967 television film The Final War of Olly Winter. In addition, he directed many episodes of television series.
Kim Coles, an American actress, comedian and game show host, is known for her roles as a cast member on the first season of In Living Color (1990-1991) and as Synclaire James-Jones on the television sitcom Living Single (1993-1998), which both originally aired on Fox. She was the host of BET's game show Pay It Off in 2009.
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April Parker Jones is an American television actress, best known for her roles as Darcy Hawkins in the CBS post-apocalyptic drama series Jericho from 2006 to 2008, and as Natalie Henning in the Oprah Winfrey Network prime time soap opera, If Loving You Is Wrong (2014-2020). In 2018, she starred in the CW superhero series, Supergirl as Colonel Lauren Haley.
J. A. Preston is best known for portraying Colonel Randolph in the movie A Few Good Men and for his role as Ozzie Cleveland on the NBC prime-time television series Hill Street Blues. He played Conn MacCleary in the movie Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins.
Leaders in Politics and Law
G. K. Butterfield served as a U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 1st congressional district from 2004 to 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected in a special election after the resignation of Frank Ballance. In 1971 graduated with Bachelor of Arts and In 1974 graduated with Juris Doctor.
Maynard Jackson served as the 54th mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, from 1974 to 1982, and again as the city's 56th mayor from 1990 to 1994. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first Black mayor of Atlanta and of any major city in the South.
Mike Easley served as the 72nd governor of North Carolina from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, Easley was North Carolina's second Catholic governor.
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Frank Ballance was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 2003 to 2004, representing North Carolina's 1st congressional district.
Eva M. Clayton became the first African American to represent North Carolina in the House since George Henry White was elected to his second and last term in 1898. She was re-elected and served for five terms.
Michael R. Morgan served for more than six years as an associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Previously, he served as a judge on the 3rd division of North Carolina Superior Court for Judicial Circuit 10B, which covers Wake County.
Daniel T. Blue, Jr. is an American politician and attorney serving as a member of the North Carolina Senate, representing the state's 14th Senate district, and was the Senate minority leader.
Jay Chaudhuri is an American attorney, professor, politician and a Democratic member of the North Carolina Senate. First appointed to fill a vacancy in April 2016 caused by the resignation of Josh Stein (to run for North Carolina Attorney General), Chaudhuri was later elected and re-elected, becoming North Carolina's first Indian-American state legislator.
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Mickey Michaux is an American civil rights activist and Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly. He represented the state's thirty-first House district from 1983 to 2019 and previously served from 1973 through 1977. Upon his retirement, Michaux was the longest-serving member of the North Carolina General Assembly.
Bobbie J. Richardson is the former Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, former First Vice Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party and a former Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Arenda Lauretta Wright Allen is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. She formerly worked as an Assistant United States Attorney and a Federal Public Defender in Norfolk, Virginia.
Toby Fitch is a Democratic former member of the North Carolina State Senate. He is a retired North Carolina Superior Court Judge, serving from 2002 to 2018. Fitch also served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1985 to 2001 (70th district), prior to serving as a judge.
Rossie D. Alston, Jr is an American attorney and judge who is a district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Leonardo Williams is an American restaurateur and politician, currently the Mayor of Durham, North Carolina after winning the 2023 Durham mayoral election.
Influencers in Music and Culture
9th Wonder, Patrick Denard Douthit, is an American record producer, record executive, and DJ from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who is also teaching faculty at North Carolina Central University and Duke University, where he collaborates with Professor Mark Anthony Neal.
Champions in Athletics
Herman Boone coached the 1971 T. C. Williams High School football team to a 13-0 season, state championship, and national runner-up. That season later served as the basis for the film Remember the Titans in 2000, in which Boone was portrayed by actor Denzel Washington.
Ernie Barnes was an American artist, well known for his unique style of elongated characters and movement. He was also a professional football player, actor and author.
Stanton Kidd is an American professional basketball player for Sendai 89ers of the Japanese B.League.
Larry Black was an American sprinter, winner of the gold medal in the 4 × 100 m relay and silver medal in the 200 m at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
Karamo Jawara is a Gambian-Norwegian professional basketball player for Club Ourense Baloncesto of the LEB Oro.
Dawson Odums was most recently the head coach at Norfolk State University, a position he held from 2021 to 2024. Odums served as the interim head football coach at Clark Atlanta University for one season, in 2004, and head football coach at Southern University and A&M College from 2013 to 2020.
Leaders in Academia and Religion
William Barber II is an American Protestant minister, social activist, professor in the Practice of Public Theology and Public Policy and founding director of the Center for Public Theology & Public Policy at Yale Divinity School.
Barry Black is the 62nd chaplain of the United States Senate. He began serving as Senate chaplain on June 27, 2003, becoming the first African American and first Seventh-day Adventist to hold the office. Enrolled in North Carolina Central University and Graduated with Master of Arts in counseling.
Tressie McMillan Cottom is an American writer, sociologist, and professor. She is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science (SILS) and an affiliate of the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is also an opinion columnist at The New York Times.
Ibrahim Cissé is a Nigerien-American biophysicist. He is currently director of the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics. Previously, Cissé was at the California Institute of Technology as Professor of Physics and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as Professor of Physics and Biology.
Elwood Robinson is an American academic, university administrator and clinical psychologist currently serving as the 13th Chancellor of Winston-Salem State Uni…
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