Kinsey Building Naming Florida A&M 2025
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) will celebrate two of its most distinguished alumni, Bernard Kinsey, L.H.D., and Shirley Pooler Kinsey, L.H.D.,with the renaming of the Band Rehearsal Hall in their honor on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 9 a.m.The building will officially be named the Drs. Bernard W & Shirley Pooler Kinsey Band Hall, Home of the Marching “100.” The ceremony will honor the Kinseys’ extraordinary contributions to education, the arts, and the preservation of African American history—values that have transformed FAMU and inspired millions around the globe.“Drs. Bernard and Shirley Kinsey embody the heart and soul of Florida A&M University. Their generosity has opened doors of opportunity for countless students, while their lifelong work in cultural preservation ensures that the beauty and brilliance of African American history will never be forgotten,” said FAMU President Marva Johnson J.D. “The Kinsey name represents excellence, integrity, and legacy—principles that define what it means to be part of the FAMU family. It is only fitting that their legacy be etched into the fabric of this university through the home of our world-famous Marching ‘100.’”The Kinseys, both FAMU graduates, have spent more than five decades uplifting communities through education, philanthropy, and art. Their Kinsey African American Art & History Collection—recognized as one of the most significant and comprehensive collections of African American art, artifacts, and archival materials—has reached more than 16 million people across three continents.Through their foundation, the Kinseys have raised tens of millions of dollars to support scholarships, leadership programs, and initiatives that expand educational access and economic empowerment. Their son, Khalil Kinsey, L.H.D. continues that legacy as chief curator and general manager of the Kinsey Collection.“FAMU made us, and in many ways, we’ve spent our lives making sure the world knows what FAMU made. Without FAMU there would not be a Black middle class in the South as we know it. This honor is not just about a building—it’s about the power of believing in your own worth,” said Bernard Kinsey. “After 58 years of marriage, the best thing that happened at FAMU in 1963 was meeting my wife. Shirley and I have always tried to show that when you stand tall in who you are, you give others permission to do the same.Bernard Kinsey continued and said: “To have our names on this hall—on this campus that shaped our destiny—is both humbling and affirming. We came to FAMU to get an education, but we left with a mission: to make history and to make it matter.”
