It’s only fitting that William H. Gray III be the speaker this year at Florida A&M University’s Founders’ Day convocation—that is, this year’s 120th Founder’s Day anniversary convocation.Although Gray isn’t FAMU alum, the blood of a Rattler runs through his veins. Gray is the founder and chairman of the Amani Group, a business advisory firm, and son of former FAMU President William H. Gray, who served from 1944 to 1949.
Prior to founding the firm, Gray was the president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the nation’s largest and oldest minority education assistance organization.
Before joining UNCF, he represented the Second District of Pennsylvania as a Congressman from 1979 to 1991. During his tenure, he was secretary and vice-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. He was also the first African American to serve as Majority Whip of the House of Representatives, chair of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, and chair of the Democratic Caucus. After leaving Congress, he served as the special advisor to the President and to the Secretary of State on Haiti during the Clinton Administration.
Gray has served as an active Baptist minister of churches in Montclair, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He recently retired after 35 years as pastor of the Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College. He earned a master’s degree in divinity from Drew Theological Seminary and a master’s degree in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Founders’ Day Convocation is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 10:10 a.m., in Lee Hall auditorium and is open to the public.
No comments:
Post a Comment