BY: Cheryl Smith
I was in a junior high school history class when I put together my first newspaper, using my teacher’s mimeograph machine, in the early 1970s.
Then at East Orange High School, I joined the newspaper staff, working alongside Linda Wright, Chinky Jordan, and my newsroom nemesis, Vernard Richberg. I loved to write and enjoyed covering sports, and Vernard was equally ambitious.
In 1976, I was so excited to be on the campus of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University(FAMU), that on the first day, I walked into the office of the FAMUAN Newspaper and joined the staff before I even went to the financial aid office to ensure that my funds were in order and to register for classes.
During my years at FAMU, several professors had an impact on my life, namely: Atty. Williams, Dr. Barbara Cotton, Dr. Gladys Lang, Professors Shively and James awkins and Dr. James Eaton.
I often joked about the journalism school dean, Bob Ruggles, who I said was so fond of me that he made me take all of his classes twice! Decades later, Journalism Ethics and Communications Law are still two of the classes I love to teach!
I’m still shocked that he is my Facebook friend! Then there was Mrs. Thelma T. Gorham. She didn’t play. We were not her friends, and she was tough. Bobby Henry, Jenise Griffin, and Keith Miles sat in class with me as she challenged our writing, speaking, and conscience. She commanded respect and demanded excellence.
On Friday, October 17, 2025, the official unveiling of my portrait will take place at the Thelma T. Gorham Distinguished Alumni Wall in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication on the beautiful campus of FAMU in Tallahassee, Florida. There will also be an accompanying digital book available.
Never at any point as I sat in Mrs. Gorham’s classes did I ever imagine that my picture would be mounted on the same wall with such an esteemed professor. It would be so wonderful if my parents — Joseph and Earline, along with my Godmother, Lizzie Braswell, could be in attendance. I always tried to make them proud. And there are so many others who have been on this journey with me, and I’d love to share this honor with them, but some are with our ancestors.
I am excited that long-time friend Dr. Vivian Bradley Johnson, who served as Vice President of the D/FW FAMU National Alumni Association under my presidency in the late 1980s, has generously volunteered to chair the unveiling ceremony and assist with my efforts to establish an endowment at FAMU.
Vivian has the distinction of being a former Miss FAMU and mother to a Mr. FAMU and two Miss FAMUs (Marva Michelle and Erika).
She and I are Beta Alpha sisters – Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha ororities, respectively.
A high-ranking executive with Parkland Health, Dr. Vivian is a leader in Links, Inc.
and an active community servant.
I also have an honorary team of FAMU Ambassadors who are assisting in the effort. We’ve also shared plans with Dean Mira Lowe, and we are looking forward to presenting her with a huge check to help this nationally recognized school continue the great work.
You’ll be hearing more in the future, and I hope you will join in the effort.
If you’d like an invitation to the unveiling, call 214-941-0110.
In the meantime, you can make your tax-deductible contribution using the QR code in this column.
For decades, I have worked to raise scholarships and support our future leaders by providing opportunities.
I want to continue the work, so I am calling on anyone who has participated in a program, received school support, realized how important it is to give back, or you’re just a giving person.
There are so many reasons that you will or can give, and I hope you will find it in your spirit to help me help my alma mater continue to grow and produce excellent scholars who bring honor to our people, schools, communities, countries, and the
world.
Your support is greatly appreciated, and I thank you in advance for any and all contributions.
Let’s continue to lift as we climb!
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