MORGAN - A Life of Service Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, 1951-2019 - TEDCO
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MORGAN
MAGAZINE VOLUME I 2020
A Life of Service
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, 1951–2019
MORGAN MAGAZINE 1
VOLUME I 2020
Magazine
VO L UM E I 2 0 2 0
1 2 6 8
President’s
(Cover Story)
Celebrating a Life of Success, Diversity Alumni Profile
MORGAN
Magazine
Letter Service Took Center Stage Morgan graduate
Morgan Magazine is published
Continuing the legacy Congressman Elijah at Morgan’s 143rd Calvin B. Ball III made
by the Division of Institutional
of MSU legends Cummings’ work for Commencement Maryland history with Advancement of MSU for alumni,
social justice was led More than 925 degree his election as Howard parents, faculty, students,
by values gained in candidates heard an County executive prospective students and friends.
Morgan Magazine is designed
Baltimore urgent call to action
and edited by the Office of
Public Relations and Strategic
Communications.
10 12 14 16 Opinions expressed in
Morgan Magazine are those
Leadership Spotlight Research Spotlight Donor Profile Building LEGACY of the individual authors and
Experience and Morgan biology County Engineers Through Business are not necessarily those of
achievement professor leads Association of Ownership the University.
distinguish Morgan’s pancreatic cancer Maryland supports Morgan’s Send correspondence directly to:
Morgan Magazine
newest administrative research as well as MSU engineering Entrepreneurial Office of Public Relations and
heads science diversity efforts Development and Strategic Communications
Assistance Center 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
helps growing and McMechen Hall, Suite 635
Baltimore, MD 21251
aspiring entrepreneurs
(443) 885-3022 office main
PR@morgan.edu
20 22 24 26 M o rg an Ma g a zine Sta ff
Vice President,
In the Community Student Morgan’s Marching Honoring the Legacy Institutional Advancement
The MSU School of Achievement Band Lights Up of a Legend Donna J. Howard, CFRE
Social Work has a long President David Macy’s Thanksgiving Morgan renames Assistant Vice President,
history of work with Wilson’s “The Day Parade a Convocation Public Relations and Strategic
Communications
addiction, including Morgan Way” More than 25 million to recognize Larry Jones
the opioid crisis initiative promotes the viewers watched groundbreaking Director, Public Relations and
University’s core values the Magnificent historian Rosalyn Strategic Communications
Marching Machine Terborg-Penn Dell Jackson
lead this year’s Assistant Director,
Web Communications
holiday excitement in Henry McEachnie
Manhattan Publications Manager
Ferdinand Mehlinger
Editor
Morgan Magazine, Volume 1 2018 Eric Addison
2019 APEX Award of Excellence Art Director & Layout and Design
2019 Communicator Awards, Award of David E. Ricardo
Distinction Photographer
P.A. Greene
2019 Hermes Creative Gold Award
Contributing Writers
Cindy Atoji
Morgan Magazine, Volume 1 2019 Burnie J. Hollis, Ph.D.
Finalist, 2019 FOLIO: Eddie Award Carla R. Jackson, Ed.D.
Edwin T. Johnson, Ph.D.
Finalist, 2019 FOLIO: Ozzie Award Frank McCoy
2019 Hermes Creative Gold Award Donna M. Owens
Tory N. Parrish
Frieda Wiley
MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020
President’sLetter
GROWING
THE FUTURE
LEADING
THE WORLD
Alumni and Friends,
Although a graduate of Howard University, in Washington, D.C., Ejijah Cummings was a pillar of Baltimore
City and Morgan State University. His loss is still keenly felt, as is the absence of pioneering scholar and
former Morgan State University Professor of History Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Ph.D. But having read of Dr.
Terborg-Penn’s tremendous contributions to her field and having experienced firsthand Congressman
Cummings’ outstanding commitment to his hometown and MSU, I know that the greatest tribute we can
pay them is to continue our work of growing the future and leading the world.
The stories in this issue provide clear examples of that work and “The Morgan Way.” Long before his
groundbreaking election as Howard County executive, Calvin Ball, Ed.D., profiled in these pages,
experienced the transformational power of a Morgan education, first through his father then for himself
as a doctoral student here early in his political career. Our article about Morgan’s Entrepreneurial
Development and Assistance Center tells how EDAC and its longtime director, MSU graduate Omar
Muhammad, have cultivated success, often against the odds, by promoting business ownership.
Morgan’s School of Social Work has long benefited communities in Baltimore and beyond with its research
and treatment to address addiction, including the opioid crisis. The article in this issue spotlights that
work as well as its importance to MSU students and faculty. Morgan’s outsize impact on humanity through
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) also continues, as exemplified by the cutting-
edge pancreatic cancer research of Simon Nyaga, Ph.D., and his team in Morgan’s School of Computer,
Mathematical and Natural Sciences.
Our scholarship and research require financial supporters, and the County Engineers Association of
Maryland, featured in this issue’s “Donor Profile,” is one of our strongest. Our work needs good direction
as well, such as that provided by the four new MSU administrators — all women — profiled in our
“Leadership Spotlight.”
With the holidays now past, but with the memories of the first-ever performance of Morgan’s Magnificent
Marching at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade still fresh, I am delighted to present this publication to
you and yours. I look forward to seeing and working with you in 2020!
Sincerely,
David Wilson
President
MORGAN MAGAZINE 1
VOLUME I 2020
Despite his long bout with a rare form
of cancer, Elijah E. Cummings, Mary-
land congressman and Morgan State
University (MSU) regent, left many
shocked and saddened by his passing
CELEBRATING A on Oct. 17, 2019, at age 68. MSU Presi-
dent David Wilson, Ed.D., was among
his countless colleagues and constit-
LIFE OF SERVICE
uents for whom Cummings was like
family. The two had spoken by phone
regularly and exchanged text messages
frequently.
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, 1951–2019
“He reminded me of my third oldest
brother, Charlie,” Dr. Wilson recalled.
“They had a lot of similar characteris-
tics. They were very passionate about
the things that they believed in. They
cared deeply about others. They were
By Eric Addison
2 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020
deeply rooted in their community. And Kweisi Mfume, a 1976 MSU graduate separate and apart that pretty much re-
then, my family and I grew up on a share- and chair of Morgan’s Board of Regents lied on the same basic things, and those
cropper’s plantation in rural Alabama. since 2012, likewise describes a broth- things were values,” Mfume said. “Both
(Cummings’ parents had also been erly relationship with Cummings. The Elijah and I were taught separately in our
sharecroppers.) So I think it was no great two young men met in 1978, when both homes to fight hard for what you believe
surprise that Elijah and I had this very were just becoming politically active in in, play by the rules, don’t cheat, love
special connection, because we under- west Baltimore. Mfume was the first to your country, cherish your faith, respect
stood what it meant to grow up in an run for and win elected office — Fourth your (elders), and believe in yourself.
environment like that. District councilman in Baltimore City — And it’s kind of hard getting away from
and Cummings followed four years later, basic values like that…. When we talked,
“…I never really had to guess where he
making a successful run for the Maryland we realized almost immediately that
stood on issues,” Dr. Wilson continued.
House of Delegates with the support of we’d been raised in different homes, but
“I never had to guess whether he had an
one of his mentors, Delegate Lena K. Lee. the same lessons were there…. As we
agenda other than the success of things
U.S. Rep. Parren J. Mitchell of Maryland, got older, Elijah and I would always talk
that we had undertaken at Morgan and
also a Morgan graduate, later mentored about what those basic values mean in
how he could support me to ensure that
Cummings and was a role model for him a home and how it can change the life of
the University continued to improve in
during Cummings’ time in Congress. young people.”
quality and expand its programs and its
opportunities for our students.” “We were brought up in two households
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, a member of Morgan’s Board of Regents, was Morgan’s Spring Commencement Speaker on May 18, 2019.
“Life flourishes most at the crossroads where two diverse ecosystems meet.”
— U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings
MORGAN MAGAZINE 3
VOLUME I 2020
Nurtured by Challenge During his 23 years as Maryland’s con- Dr. Wilson readily recounted a few of
Born in Baltimore City in 1951, Elijah gressman from the Seventh District, what he said were many instances of
Cummings was the third of seven chil- Congressman Cummings became world Regent Cummings’ assistance to Morgan.
dren of Robert and Ruth Cummings, who renowned as a warrior for social justice,
“He was very instrumental in our getting
came to the city from South Carolina, working continuously to ensure that the
a National Transportation Center in our
where they had worked as sharecroppers. next generation had access to quality
School of Engineering — one of the few
Elijah grew up in a religious household healthcare and education, clean air and
National Transportation Centers at an
during the de jure segregation of the water and a strong economy defined by
(Historically Black College or University)
1950s and ’60s, as his mother followed fiscal responsibility. At the time of his
— and was also very instrumental in our
her calling from domestic work to estab- passing, he was chair of the House Com-
continuing to be a part of the National
lish a church. mittee on Oversight and Reform and a
Transportation Center legislation and
senior member of the House Committee
In the public schools in the underserved funding,” Dr. Wilson said.
on Transportation and Infrastructure. But
neighborhoods where he lived, Elijah was his national and international following “He put us in touch with several major
relegated to “the third group” of students, never diminished Cummings’ obvious corporate partners when he saw oppor-
what is now called special education. But love for his hometown of Baltimore City tunities for our students. As a result,
defying expectations, he became a stellar or his beneficial impact on Morgan. we were able to put in place numerous
academic achiever, eventually earning internship programs at Morgan, and we
a bachelor’s degree in political science Advocate for Morgan have students who are now serving in
from Howard University — where he Cummings was appointed to the MSU those internships,” Dr. Wilson reported.
served as student government president Board of Regents in 1999 and served on “We have a thriving partnership with
and graduated Phi Beta Kappa — and the body for 19 years. Mfume said the Wells Fargo, where we have eight to 10
a J.D. from the University of Maryland congressman was very thoughtful but Morgan students now engaged in fellow-
School of Law. often slow to speak in the position, rarely ships or internships.”
He was elected to the Maryland House of revealing to the public what Mfume said
was one of Cummings’ defining charac- “He also was a big proponent of extend-
Delegates in 1982, beginning his career ing the Pell Grant to year-round, during
of public service, and served there for 14 teristics: his great sense of humor.
the first term of the Obama administra-
years, becoming the first African Amer- “He was very, very deliberative on every tion, to enable more low-income stu-
ican elected as the body’s speaker pro issue. And Elijah would listen,” Mfume dents to be able to finish college within
tempore. In 1996, he was elected to the said. “He wouldn’t always have a lot to four years,” Dr. Wilson added. “And,
U.S. House of Representatives, taking say as issues were coming before us or indeed, we went to a year-round Pell for a
the seat that had been held by Kweisi being presented in board meetings. But couple of years, and Morgan saw tremen-
Mfume before Mfume resigned to lead when he did have something to say, he dous benefits from that. But then that
the NAACP. was right on the money with it.” stopped (during the current president’s
4 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020
administration), and (Cummings) was
really working with us to try and get Thousands Paid Tribute to Congressman
that back on track.”
Cummings at MSU Services
“And the first big win I was able to
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings became a religious leaders, personal friends, and
achieve when I came to Morgan came
global icon in Washington, D.C., but he individuals who had collaborated with
as a result of his intervention,” Dr.
wanted the world to know he was a son of him in serving the community.
Wilson recalled. “That was in 2011,
Baltimore City. On Oct. 23, 2019, thou-
when we were able to sign a coopera- “He would investigate, legislate and
sands of Baltimoreans took advantage
tive agreement with NASA, in a part- agitate, but when he agitated it was never
of the opportunity he had given them
nership with the Universities Space for himself. It was always for others,”
to say their goodbyes. Following the ar-
Research Association, USRA, valued said retired U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski,
range-ments the congressman had made
at about $96 million, of which Mor- who served with Cummings for 17 years
with his family during his long battle with
gan’s share would be $28.5 million. in the Maryland congressional delega-
cancer, Cummings’ body lay in repose for
Elijah had met Fred Tarantino, the tion. “…He did not ask people to give up
more than 12 hours at the Carl J. Murphy
president of USRA, and basically said their anger. He talked to them in justice,
Fine Arts Center, on MSU’s campus, for a
to him, ‘I think you should sit down discrimination, redlined, sidelined. What
public viewing, followed by special pre-
and have a conversation with my he did was to take all of that anger and
sentations from fraternal organizations
good friend David Wilson at Morgan.’ passion and to channel it into bringing
and a tribute service for the public.
Then he called me and said I should about change.”
expect a call from Fred. And I did, The diversity of the crowd on hand to pay
“He was so genuine. He was so authentic.
shortly thereafter.” their respects during the viewing in the
He was so real. He didn’t get caught up in
Fine Arts Center’s Gilliam Concert Hall
In the end, Morgan’s proposal — in all the trappings, all the accoutrements
reflected Cummings’ true humanity and
collaboration with USRA, Ball Aero- of the position. He was a person who led
dedication to social justice and equal
space & Technologies, I.M. Systems with his heart. And I connected to him
opportunity.
Group, The Johns Hopkins University on that level,” said MSU President David
and The Institute for Global Envi- “Elijah is a figure in this community un- Wilson. Later, Dr. Wilson said, during the
ronmental Strategies — won the bid like any other,” said Baltimore business- unrest in Baltimore City in 2015, “I was
for the laboratory agreement, “but man Wally D. Pinkard Jr. “In my lifetime, so deeply moved as I would turn on the
we would not have even been in the the only other I can think of (like him) television each night, and I would see
competition had Elijah not put us is Pete Rawlings: men who transcend- Congressman Cummings in the street,
together with USRA,” Dr. Wilson said. ed race, who had incredible values and fighting every single night…. I will forever
“We’ve been in this now for over five who stood up for principles.” He and remember the tears that were welled in
years, and NASA and USRA have Cummings worked together on numer- his eyes as he was fighting with all of his
decided to extend it for another five ous projects in the community, said heart and all of his soul to restore peace
years, which will bring to nearly $40 Pinkard, who holds a number of leader- to our great city of Baltimore.”
million the total amount that Morgan ship positions including president of the
Congressman Cummings’ funeral was
will receive from this collaborative France-Merrick Foundation. “He had so
held on Friday, Oct. 25, in Baltimore City,
agreement over a 10-year period.” much energy. It’s amazing what he did in
at New Psalmist Baptist Church, where
the last months of his life.”
“I can think of so many other things he was an active member. He is survived
that Elijah has helped us to do,” Dr. “The reason I came out today is to pay by his widow, Maya Rockeymoore
Wilson said, “but these are the ones my respects to a man who made constant Cummings, Ph.D., and daughters, Jennifer
that loom large.” efforts to change Baltimore City, and he J. Cummings and Adia Cummings.
did a really good job during his time in
“We have lost a tremendous soul,” Dr.
politics,” said Morgan student Jeremiah
Wilson said. “We’ve lost a little bit of
Taylor, a sophomore civil engineering
the heart of Baltimore, the heart of
major from Baltimore City. His parents
Maryland, the heart of Morgan, the
also liked and respected Cummings,
heart of the nation. And he would
Taylor added, and his peers benefited
want us to be committed to growing
from the congressman’s initiatives such
back tenfold that which we think we
as the Elijah Cummings Youth Program’s
have lost. As president of Morgan, I’m
Israel Experience.
certainly committed to growing the
institution in greater service to Balti- ‘Always for Others’
more and to Maryland and certainly During the tribute service, 27 speakers
keeping in mind the great expecta- paid homage to the late congressman
tions that he would have of us as we and regent, including elected officials,
move Morgan forward.” o
MORGAN MAGAZINE 5
VOLUME I 2020
Success, Diversity Took Center
Stage at Morgan’s 143rd
Commencement
Congressman Elijah Cummings Called MSU Graduates to Action
More than 925 bachelor’s, master’s Alexis Samuels is a self-described “mili- Withelma T. Ortiz Walker Pettigrew,
and doctoral candidates received their tary kid” and former “nerd,” who was born a.k.a. T. Ortiz, received her Bachelor of
degrees at Morgan State University’s in Germany and grew up in Texas, Ten- Science in strategic communication, with
jubilant 143rd Spring Commencement nessee and in Frederick, Maryland, where honors, and joined the Baltimore Child
Exercises, which included a ceremony she attended a predominantly white high Abuse Center as the anti-trafficking and
for undergraduates on May 18, 2019 and school before following her mother’s and anti-exploitation coordinator. Her 11-year
a School of Graduate Studies ceremony sister’s example to attend an Historical- journey through higher education came
on May 16. U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, ly Black Institution. A Travelers EDGE after she suffered years of childhood sex-
a member of Morgan’s Board of Regents, scholarship paid her tuition and fees ual, physical and verbal abuse and had
was the guest speaker for the Undergrad- and provided internships with Travelers become a nationally recognized advocate
uate Ceremony, held in Hughes Memorial during her four-year Bachelor of Science for children. A native of Oakland, Califor-
Stadium. Retired New York Times sports
program in actuarial science. She ac- nia, she came to Baltimore homeless in
columnist, journalist and author William
cepted a full-time position as a software 2014, the same year she was recognized
C. Rhoden of Morgan’s Class of 1973
engineer with JPMorgan Chase. as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influ-
received an honorary Doctor of Humane
ential People.”
Letters during the ceremony. More than Lucas Krusinski, a native of France, ar-
100 members of Morgan’s Class of 1969 rived at Morgan unable to speak English Dominic Dingle received a Master of
led the procession into the stadium and but determined to play for the men’s Science in sociology during the School of
were honored as representatives of the tennis team, which is the 2019 MEAC Graduate Studies Commencement and
50th anniversary class, a day after Mor- champion. Now fluent in English, and was commissioned with eight other MSU
gan’s Alumni Day luncheon, where the a Class of 2019 valedictorian, he has an students as a U.S. Army second lieu-
class announced its $1.4 million in giving MSU bachelor’s degree in nutritional tenant, during a Morgan Bear Battalion
to the University in 2018. science and is pursuing a doctorate in ROTC ceremony the next day. Morgan’s
Morgan’s Class of 2019 was rich with food science on a fully funded fellowship first graduate student to receive an ROTC
success stories reflecting the institution’s at Michigan State University. commission, and the son of U.S. Army
diversity. Maj. Gen. R. Scott Dingle of Morgan’s
“You, each and every one of you,
are better and more valuable to our
country because of the obstacles that
you have faced and overcome.”
— U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings
William C. Rhoden Alexis Samuels (left) and Robyn Demetrius
6 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020
Class of 1988, Dominic is now at his first he realized he was a rare Congressional Kristina Kincaid (B.S., social work), Lucas
duty station, Fort Carson, Colorado, with expert in special education, and he was Krusinski (B.S., nutritional science),
his wife, Deliana, beginning his military able to advance legislation to support Eduardo Lopez (B.S., industrial engineer-
career as a member of the sports staff for special ed. ing), Pierce Perkins (B.S., chemistry) and
the 10th Special Forces Group. Ethan Simms (B.S., social work). Averi
“You, each and every one of you, are
••• Maxine Turner (B.S., business adminis-
better and more valuable to our country
tration) received the President’s Second
“Life flourishes most at the crossroads because of the obstacles that you have
Mile Award for outstanding leadership
where two diverse ecosystems meet,” faced and overcome,” Cummings told
and participation in student affairs,
said Congressman Cummings in his the audience. “….Your life experiences
and Kayla Griffin (B.S., psychology) was
address. Drawing on his own childhood and your educational achievements are
presented with the President’s Award for
experience, Cummings spoke of the essential elements of our potential to
Exceptional Creative Achievement.
power of diversity to lead the U.S. past lead our nation during a very difficult and
what he called a “critical crossroads” for challenging time.” In her salute to the graduates at the
the nation. Undergraduate Exercises, Senior Class
“…Appreciate the value of our
President Emani Majors (B.S., construc-
Growing up in an underserved area democratic republic in its hour of peril,”
tion management) called upon Morgan’s
of Baltimore City, Cummings said, he Cummings said. “…Call upon the
newest alumni to disregard titles and
attended a poor school and was as- challenge and education that you have
instead search for their mission, their
signed to “the third group” of students, received at this great institution, and
“why.” Master’s degree candidate Stanley
what is now known as special education. stand up for our democracy in your own
Jenkins (M.A., African American studies)
He recalled wondering how the words communities.”
and doctoral candidate Valerie Riggs
“liberty and justice for all” in the Pledge
Six undergraduate candidates with per- (Ed.D., urban educational leadership)
of Allegiance applied to him, and he re-
fect 4.0 cumulative grade point averages inspired the audience with their salute to
membered being disparaged by a school
shared the title of class valedictorian: the graduates at the School of Graduate
counselor for aspiring to be a lawyer.
Jamielle Davis (B.S., accounting), Studies Commencement.
Later, when he had become a lawyer,
Lucas Krusinski Withelma T. Ortiz Walker Pettigrew Dominic and Deliana Dingle
MORGAN MAGAZINE 7
VOLUME I 2020
In November 2018, Dr. Ball was elected
as county executive of Howard County,
Maryland, becoming the first African
American to hold the position.
Howard Morgan Graduate’s
Election Makes
Maryland History
County When Calvin Ball was deciding what university to
attend for his doctoral studies more than a decade
Executive
ago, he looked to the past — his family’s past.
Ball’s father had attended Morgan State College on
the GI Bill, and his graduation in 1973 greatly expand-
ed the opportunities for the family, said Ball, now 43.
Calvin B.
As a child, Ball, encouraged by his father, would listen
to storyteller and educator Mary Carter Smith (“The
Griot”) on Morgan State University’s radio station,
WEAA-FM.
Ball III
“…I grew up with such an affinity for Morgan, and so
it was a dream come true to be able to go there,” Ball
said.
His own time at Morgan, where he graduated with
By Tory N. Parrish a Doctor of Education in higher education/higher
education administration in 2008, helped prepare him
for a career that would make history, break barriers
and put him on a path to effect change for hundreds
of thousands of people.
In November 2018, Dr. Ball was elected as county
executive of Howard County, Maryland, becoming the
first African-American person to hold the position, in
a jurisdiction whose population of about 330,000 peo-
ple is 56 percent white and about 20 percent black.
“As the first county executive of color and definitely
the first black county executive (in Howard County),
it is such an honor to serve a community that I think
believes in not just diversity but inclusion and oppor-
tunity,” said Dr. Ball, a Columbia, Maryland, resident.
8 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020AlumniProfile
Calvin B. Ball III, County Executive of Howard County, Maryland Calvin B. Ball III, MSU Class of 2008
Transforming Lives Promoting Upward Mobility in a decade. He has also successfully
Attending an historically black university Dr. Ball’s four year-term as county exec- pushed economic development initia-
enabled him to take in academic perspec- utive began in December 2018. But his tives, such as signing a memorandum of
tives that he hadn’t encountered before. work on behalf of Howard County didn’t understanding for an Innovation Center,
Many classroom conversations were start with his current job. He is a former holding the county’s first Local Business
centered on empowerment that “kindles Howard County firefighter and emer- Initiative Workshop and partnering with
a flame of hope” — i.e., uplifting black gency medical technician who served business accelerator Born2Global.
people in challenging situations — and three terms as a county councilmember. But Dr. Ball has much more on his plate
the participants in those discussions In 2006, he became the county’s young- for Howard County.
were people of color who had personally est-ever council chairman.
experienced those cultural and socioeco- The suburb, located about 43 miles from
nomic challenges, he said. Washington, D.C., and 24 miles from
“…I grew up with such an Baltimore, is known for its affluence and
“It was great. Being around so many affinity for Morgan, and so good public schools, said the married
professionals, people who were not only
it was a dream come true father of two daughters. The county’s
able to talk about the literature and the
scholarship but also meld that with the to be able to go there.” poverty rate is 5.9 percent, compared
with 9.3 percent for Maryland and 12.3
experiences and social justice lens about percent for the United States, according
how we, for the better, transform people’s Dr. Ball has a Bachelor of Arts in phi- to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The
lives was exactly along the lines of what losophy and religion from Towson State county’s median household income from
I feel my life’s goals and purpose are,” he University and a Master of Arts in legal 2013 to 2017 was $115,576, compared
said. and ethical studies from the University of with $78,916 for Maryland and $57,652
Baltimore. He’s also a member of Alpha for the U.S. In June, Howard County had
Ball also served as a faculty member at
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. the lowest unemployment rate among
Morgan from 2010 to 2014, when he was
tasked with serving as an academic advis- As Howard County executive, he is proud all 24 counties and county-equivalents
er to graduate students, supervising clin- of his administration’s accomplishments in Maryland, 3.1 percent, which was
ical internships at community colleges, during his first 13 months in office, lower than the state rate of 3.9 percent,
and other duties. including enhancing public transporta- according to non-seasonally adjusted
tion by expanding bus service routes and data from the Maryland Department of
Llatetra Brown Esters, dean of students Labor.
connections provided by the Regional
at the University of Baltimore, received
Transportation Agency of Central Mary- But being an area known for having
academic guidance from Ball when he
land; launching the Youth Suicide Pre- plenty “makes it easy for people to fall
was a faculty member and she was a doc-
vention Plan; and announcing a strategy through the cracks,” he said.
toral student at Morgan.
to address opioid addiction that includes
“I always felt that he was knowledgeable. committing $3 million over four years to His plans include working to alleviate
He was helpful. He was truly concerned a new residential treatment center to be chronic homelessness, expanding the
about ensuring that people had a voice formed in partnership with Delphi Behav- middle class and helping small, minority-
and that issues were addressed as best ioral Health Group. and women-owned businesses grow.
as possible,” said Esters, who earned her “Economic mobility is something that is
Dr. Ball secured the largest funding
Doctor of Education in 2014. important to me,” Dr. Ball said. n
increase for Howard County schools
MORGAN MAGAZINE 9
VOLUME I 2020Donna J. Howard, CFRE
Glenda M. Prime, Ph.D.
Patricia Williams Lessane, Ph.D.
Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, Ph.D.
Experience and Achievement
Distinguish Morgan’s Newest
Administrative Heads By Donna M. Owens
10 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020LeadershipSpotlight
Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, Dr. Lessane arrived at ry research interests that revolve around
Ph.D., is an engineer, pro- Morgan last spring, after African-American students in urban
fessor, researcher, author, serving as associate dean science classrooms. A secondary research
coach and entrepreneur. of Strategic Planning and area involves the doctoral preparation of
She is eager to use her Community Engagement at science education researchers. She has
talents in service to Morgan State Univer- the College of Charleston, in South Caro- penned numerous journal articles and
sity, as the new provost and senior vice lina. She also held dual roles as executive recently edited and coauthored a book ti-
president for Academic Affairs. director of the Avery Research Center for tled, “Centering Race in the STEM Educa-
African American History and Culture and tion of African American K–12 Learners,”
“I was the first in my family to attend
as a tenured faculty member. with Morgan faculty as co-contributors.
college, so I’m passionate about
ensuring the success of students,” said “Morgan has a legacy of black scholarship Having presented her work in several
Dr. Crumpton-Young, who earned her and scholastic excellence,” she said. “I’ve countries, she proudly notes Morgan’s
doctorate in industrial engineering from followed Dr. (David) Wilson’s career as international reputation: “We draw stu-
Texas A&M University and was the first president. I thought, ‘I need to go work dents from all over the world.”
African-American woman to do so. “I for them.’ ”
Howard joined the Uni-
want to be an advocate for both the
Dr. Lessane holds a Ph.D. in anthropolo- versity in December 2011
faculty and students.”
gy from the University of Illinois at Chi- as director of the Office of
She is among the scholars and cago and served as a Fulbright specialist Development. She is now
administrators who’ve joined the at the University of Málaga, in Spain. An applying her skills to a
University’s leadership ranks this year or author, researcher, documentary producer broader purview as head of the Division
have been elevated from previous posts and social anthropologist, she frequently of Institutional Advancement, which is
at Morgan. The cohort also includes: writes about the intersection of race, gen- Morgan’s external communications arm
Patricia Williams Lessane, Ph.D., der and class in black life in the U.S. and includes fundraising, public relations
associate vice president for Academic and alumni relations. Her responsibili-
Higher education, however, is her
Affairs; Glenda M. Prime, Ph.D., dean ties range from forging partnerships with
passion.
of the School of Education and Urban corporate and civic organizations, to
Studies; and Donna J. Howard, CFRE, vice “I have wide experience with all types public engagement and building ties with
president for Institutional Advancement of students, (including) international, alumni and friends of the University.
and executive director of Morgan State first-generation (and) nontraditional
“I manage the scope and direction of
University Foundation, Inc. The four students,” said Dr. Lessane, who has also
our work to inform, engage and partner
women each bring impressive credentials been appointed an associate professor
with a diverse spectrum of audiences,”
and a wealth of experience to their roles. in Morgan’s Department of Sociology
said Howard, who received her B.A. in
and Anthropology. “I’m hoping that
During her 25-year career in academia, nonprofit marketing from the Universi-
insight will inform what I bring to the
Dr. Crumpton-Young has held positions ty of Massachusetts at Amherst. “We’re
experience.”
at Tennessee State University, the the smallest unit of the University with
University of Central Florida, Texas A&M Dr. Prime, a native of Trin- the largest impact — reaching some 60
University, Mississippi State University idad and Tobago, came to million individuals annually through
and the National Science Foundation. Morgan in 1999, after a de- direct reach and exposure to the Morgan
Widely known for her accomplishments cade of teaching at the Uni- brand. A big part of the work is building
in her field, she has published more versity of the West Indies, relationships.”
than 150 scholarly articles and has where she received a Ph.D. in education.
Her vision has brought high achievement
received numerous national honors, Before being appointed dean at Morgan,
in her work, including her previous posi-
including the U.S. Presidential Award for she chaired the University’s Department
tions with the United Negro College Fund
Excellence in Science, Mathematics and of Advanced Studies, Leadership and
and the University of Maryland School
Engineering Mentoring under the Obama Policy, which houses graduate programs
of Social Work as well as with Morgan,
administration. in education. Under her leadership, that
where she was instrumental in the recent
department became the leading producer
“I’ll work closely with (Dr. Wilson and success of the Anniversary Campaign,
of doctorates at Morgan.
his leadership team) to ensure we have which raised more than $254 million.
transformative academic programs,” said “I was able to grow enrollment in the
“There’s been a long line of caring people
Dr. Crumpton-Young, who is also serving mathematics and science education
who’ve sustained Morgan since our
as a full professor in Morgan’s Depart- doctoral programs, and, later, I developed
founding,” Howard said. “At 150-plus
ment of Industrial and Systems Engineer- Master of Science programs in both of
years, we are still going strong and posi-
ing. “It’s my job to ensure that we offer those areas,” said Dr. Prime.
tively impacting people. I love being part
students promotable skill sets that will
With two-and-a-half decades of experi- of the lineage that has helped carry this
provide professional marketability and
ence as an educator, Dr. Prime has prima- institution forward.” n
career vitality.”
MORGAN MAGAZINE 11
VOLUME I 2020Leading Cancer Research
and Science Diversity
Simon Nyaga, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at Morgan,
is developing a test that identifies faulty genes and could help
By Frieda Wiley doctors stop pancreatic cancer before it develops.
Simon Nyaga, Ph.D.
12 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020ResearchSpotlight
When U.S. Rep. John Lewis announced service, the multilingual scientist began
his struggle with pancreatic cancer this exploring new prospects.
past December, he joined a growing list
An American laboratory colleague sug-
of high-profile individuals diagnosed
gested that Nyaga consider universities
with the disease: Alex Trebek, Aretha
in the U.S. He was admitted to several
Franklin, Steve Jobs, Sharon Jones, Dizzy
but eventually settled on Texas Southern,
Gillespie and Supreme Court Justice Ruth
an Historically Black Institution.
Bader Ginsburg, among others. But the
condition is not exclusive to celebrities, After earning his bachelor’s degree in
of course. Nearly 57,000 people in the biology with honors in 1992, Nyaga pur-
United States are expected to receive sued his Ph.D. in biochemistry and mo-
the diagnosis this year, according to the lecular biology at the University of Texas
American Cancer Society. Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He
graduated in 1998 and went on to pursue
One researcher at Morgan State these bases, Dr. Nyaga said, one named
postdoctoral research at the National In-
University is striving to lower pancreatic guanine is more damage-prone than the
stitutes of Health (NIH), where he stayed
cancer’s death rate. Simon Nyaga, Ph.D., rest. Oxidative stress alters guanine’s
on as a staff scientist.
an associate professor of biology, is structure, converting it to an abnormal
developing a test that identifies faulty version of the nucleic acid, called Although the focus of his research at the
genes and could help doctors stop 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG). Normal National Institute of Aging was studying
pancreatic cancer before it develops. guanine partners with the cytosine base, DNA repair in breast, prostate, skin and
but 8-OHG partners inappropriately with pancreatic cancer, Dr. Nyaga was not
“We know that cancer cells divide much
adenine base. The faulty pairing alters oblivious to his surroundings. Recogniz-
faster than normal, healthy cells,” Dr.
the DNA’s instructions that tell cells how ing the lack of diversity, he approached
Nyaga said. “They’re able to outsmart
to make certain proteins. Among the his adviser about recruiting a more
some of the biological processes that are
corrupted proteins are those that either diverse group of scientists. The response
there naturally to get rid of them.”
repair DNA damage or suppress the surprised him.
At present, advanced-stage pancreatic growth of cancer cells. The unfortunate
“My supervisor welcomed the idea,” Dr.
cancer has no cure. Patients diagnosed result is uncontrolled cell growth or
Nyaga said. “He said they wanted to
with stage 4 pancreatic cancer typical- cancer.
improve diversity but weren’t sure exactly
ly live only three to six more months,
Following his hunches that oxidative how.”
although some may live longer. Because
damage of DNA triggers the development
the condition is so deadly, early diag- With his boss’ blessing, Dr. Nyaga began
of pancreatic cancer, Dr. Nyaga and his
nosis is critical to prolonging one’s life. recruiting students of color to the NIH’s
team are developing a test that detects
However, pancreatic cancer is tough to summer research program, often at His-
abnormally expressed genes and pro-
pinpoint. In most cases, the disease is torically Black Colleges and Universities.
teins. His aim is to develop a test that
so far advanced when initially diagnosed Since then, several of his student recruits
not only detects pancreatic cancer early
that treatment proves too little, too late. have earned advanced degrees and land-
but is also affordable.
ed professional or faculty positions at
Early and Affordable “There is a breast cancer test in the various institutions. Proud of his impact,
Scientists still aren’t sure of the cause of market based on the Breast and Ovarian Dr. Nyaga believes his tenacity and desire
pancreatic cancer, but Dr. Nyaga suspects Cancer Susceptibility gene (BRCA 1) in to promote diversity at the NIH more
cell trauma triggers the onset. In particu- breast cancer, but it is so expensive that than 20 years ago have made a difference.
lar, he notes, exposure to oxidative stress very few people can afford to get test-
— the same process that causes rusting Since joining Morgan, Dr. Nyaga has
ed,” Dr. Nyaga said. “I want my test to be
of metals — makes healthy, functioning mentored many students in his labora-
available to everybody.”
cells behave abnormally. Dr. Nyaga be- tory and has continued mentoring them
lieves that faulty genes play a major role Recruiting Students of Color even after they have left his charge. Two
in the onset and/or progression of the of his past trainees recently graduated
A native of Kenya, Dr. Nyaga was moved
disease. To date, his team has identified with Ph.D.s and are pursuing postdoc-
by fate, and some luck, in his journey
more than 100 abnormal genes in pancre- toral research — one at a prominent
to the U.S. Earning the top score on a
atic cells that may be associated with university and the other with the Nation-
national biology test landed him a spot
carcinogenesis, the production of cancer. al Academy of Sciences. Another recent
in Kenya’s International Laboratory for
trainee is a Ph.D. candidate at Brown
Animal Diseases. He agreed to work there
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is made University, and yet other is pursuing a
for a year in exchange for the institution’s
up of three basic building blocks: ribose master’s degree in biotechnology at The
full funding of his bachelor’s degree at a
(a sugar), phosphate and nitrogen- Johns Hopkins University.
university in the United Kingdom. How-
containing bases. DNA is shaped like a
ever, when the promised matriculation Clearly, Dr. Nyaga leaves a legacy wherev-
winding ladder with four bases that unite
failed to materialize after three years of er he goes.
in pairs to form the ladder-like rungs. Of
MORGAN MAGAZINE 13
VOLUME I 2020County Engineers CEA
M
Association of Maryland
Supports MSU Engineering
By Cindy Atoji
Photo Courtesy of CEAM
CEAM officers at the association’s 2019 Conference in Ocean City, Maryland, in Cierra Carter, MSU Class of 2019,
May: (left to right) Erv Beckert, CEAM Past President; Greg Africa, CEAM Trea- earned her Bachelor of Science in
surer; Danielle Conrow, CEAM President; Ron Rye, Treasurer, CEAM Scholarship civil engineering with assistance
Committee; and James D. Wilson, Chairman, CEAM Scholarship Committee from CEAM
Increasing the racial, ethnic and gender graduate Cierra Carter, who earned her But civil engineers have always made
diversity in the engineering profession bachelor’s degree this past May with a difference, and not only by building
remains a challenge in the United States, assistance from the County Engineers bridges, repairing roads and upgrading
and civil engineering is no exception. Association of Maryland (CEAM). Now a levees and dams, said James D. Wilson of
According to U.S. Census Bureau statis- project manager for The Whiting-Turner CEAM.
tics compiled by the website Data USA, Contracting Company, she tackled
“There’s a lot of infrastructure we take for
more than 85 percent of the nation’s challenging technology and engineering
granted, but it’s a civil engineer who put
civil engineers are male, and more than tasks as an undergraduate intern in
that in place,” Wilson said.
80 percent are white. However, Morgan Prince George’s County, Maryland’s
State University’s Clarence M. Mitchell Department of Public Works and Scholarship Partner
Jr. School of Engineering has long been Transportation (DPW&T). Her work there CEAM is a coalition that includes county,
a powerful force in the right direction, included reviewing and recalculating state, municipal and consulting engi-
ranking among the nation’s leaders, and complex roadway sections to ensure that neers as well as public works personnel,
at the top in the state of Maryland, in drainage and curb sections were properly contractors and suppliers in the state.
producing African-American civil engi- designed. The association aims to raise the tech-
neering bachelor’s degree recipients. nical standards of public service by
Carter represents the next generation of
Among the Morgan alumni changing civil engineers, defying stereotypes and exchanging ideas and discussing shared
the face of civil engineering is recent pushing the boundaries of possibility. problems in the civil engineering field,
14 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020DonorProfile
supporting legislation that promotes the Good Investment
profession and aiding future civil engi- CEAM is also among the “$100,000-Plus”
neers. CEAM was established more than supporters on the list of donors to Mor-
60 years ago and has grown exponentially
to become a 600-member advocate for
gan’s recently completed $250-million
Sesquicentennial Anniversary Campaign. U.S. Civil
civil engineering and public works in
Maryland.
The Anniversary Campaign set out to
raise funds from private and public sourc-
Engineers:
es to sustain and increase MSU’s afford-
CEAM established the Roger Willard
Scholarship Foundation almost four ability and accessibility, which appeals to
James Wilson, who is chair of the CEAM
> 85% male
decades ago. Named in honor of the first
president of the organization, its goal
is to attract more students to the field.
Scholarship Program. Wilson works with
KCI Technologies Inc., a local engineer-
> 80% white
The foundation first provided scholar- ing firm that actively recruits and hires
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
ships to civil engineering students at the Morgan graduates in civil engineering
University of Maryland, College Park and and other positions. Morgan alumni at
later added Morgan State University to KCI range from entry-level engineers to
its list of endowments. The Foundation, senior managers.
Morgan Making
with the support of CEAM, entered into “Resources go a long way at Morgan, as
an agreement with Morgan to provide a students get more value than (at) other a Difference
scholarship endowment of $100,000 over schools for the same amount of invest-
several years and continues to provide a ment,” said Wilson.
one-semester scholarship to one student Nationwide
annually. Last year, the $100,000 goal was CEAM also appreciates Morgan’s mul-
reached. tiethnic and multiracial student body,
“The Foundation looks for a strong civil
engineering program and encourages
believing that the broader the diversity
of the science, technology, engineering
and mathematics (STEM) workforce, the
MSU 7th
Civil Engineers
students to intern and ultimately seek more society is likely to support the work
employment with local and county public that civil engineers perform, whether
works agencies in Maryland as well as the it be providing clean, plentiful water,
consulting engineering firms that work power generation and distribution, waste
for those agencies,” said Ronald W. Rye,
Morgan ranks 7th nationally
disposal or an equitable transportation
the Foundation’s treasurer. Scholarship in producing African-American
system.
recipients are invited to the annual fall civil engineering bachelor’s
CEAM conference in Ocean City, Mary- “The civil engineering profession isn’t degree recipients.
land, and typically have internships with just engineers but also technicians,
member agencies or companies. Rye inspectors, surveyors, planners, construc- State-Level
works at a consulting firm, The Wilson T. tion managers, contractors, developers
Ballard Company, which is a member of and much more,” said Wilson.
CEAM and coordinates with the asso-
ciation’s county departments of public
What does the future hold for the
CEAM-Morgan affiliation? Erv Beckert, MSU 1st
works. outgoing president of CEAM and chief Civil Engineers
MSU graduate Daniel Savage (Class of of the Engineering and Design Division
2012) works in Ballard’s water and sewer for Prince George’s County’s DPW&T, for
design section and continually impresses one, has always been a great believer in
Morgan talent. He says civil engineers Morgan ranks 1st in Maryland
colleagues with his knowledge, work ethic
from MSU and elsewhere will continue in producing African-American
and ability to work as part of a team: just
another example of a top-notch Morgan to transform the future, with the help of civil engineering bachelor’s
engineer. CEAM’s contribution. degree recipients.
Source: IPEDS Completions: Awards/
Degrees Conferred 2017–2018 by
Program Survey
CEAM fulfilled its $100,000 Top-Notch Morgan
scholarship endowment
with Morgan this year. Civil Engineers
MORGAN MAGAZINE 15
VOLUME I 2020Building LEGACY Through
Business Ownership
Morgan’s Entrepreneurial Development and Assistance Center
By Eric Addison
EDAC
Omar Muhammad
A unit of Morgan’s Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, EDAC provides activities
geared toward “anyone who’s looking for resources to start operating or grow their business.”
As director of Morgan State University’s of Maryland, College Park, in 2015, arrived at Morgan as a student, he was a
Entrepreneurial Development and Muhammad said. full-fledged entrepreneur: “I had a T-shirt
Assistance Center for the past 15 years, company. I had a mobile car wash. I
“My parents got me started with this
Omar Muhammad has embraced a picked up cars from Giant (Food Store’s)
when I was a kid,” he recalled. “I have two
mission dear to his heart: “Connecting parking lot, took them to my parents’
brothers and two sisters, and my parents
budding and existing entrepreneurs to house, cleaned them and returned them.”
said, ‘There’s too many of you to give an
resources for venture management and allowance. Start a business.’ So we had a Maryland Congressman Parren J.
growth.” Leading the center, which is candy store in our basement.” Mitchell, a Morgan graduate and a strong
better known by its abbreviation, EDAC, advocate for economic development
is work for which he was well-prepared, Role models such as Baltimorean
in African-American communities,
long before he earned his bachelor’s Reginald F. Lewis, the first African
continued Muhammad’s guidance down
degree in accounting from Morgan in American to own a business with more
the business path by mentoring him
1993 or his master’s degree in technology than $1 billion in sales, boosted the
and a number of other promising black
entrepreneurship from the University motivation Muhammad’s parents had
entrepreneurs.
instilled in him, and by the time he
16 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020Tiffany
Thompson
Small Staff, Big Impact financial well-being of the people who to family members. His wife, Natasha,
A unit of Morgan’s Earl G. Graves School need it most.” is a 2006 graduate of Morgan and owns
of Business and Management, EDAC several businesses, including a not-for-
EDAC has a small staff: Muhammad,
provides entrepreneurship classes, profit company that helps youth aged 10
director, and Yvette Racks, administra-
workshops, pitch competitions, confer- to 18 develop an entrepreneurial mindset
tive assistant. But it continues to make a
ences and other activities geared toward and start businesses. His four daughters
large, beneficial impact on Morgan and
“anyone who’s looking for resources to — aged 12 to 34 — have all been entre-
the broader community. Muhammad
start operating or grow their business,” preneurs also.
would like to see that impact be even
Muhammad said. The center, established larger. Muhammad said his ultimate goal for
in 1992, has focused on children, teens EDAC clients is what he calls LEGACY,
and preteens as well as adults over the “Morgan students, staff, alumni
his acronym for “legacy building,”
years, presenting programs such as and faculty are interested in
“economic opportunities,” “global
“BizTech Kids,” for budding businesspeo- entrepreneurship, and they’re starting
competitiveness,” “asset building,”
ple aged 10 to 14, and a program named businesses. But we could start many
“community building” and “your personal
“Make It Happen,” funded by music more. My role is to help make that
development.”
mogul Kevin Liles, a Morgan alumnus, happen over the next couple of years,”
for 11th graders. Recent EDAC events he said. “Also, I’ve noticed that many of “LEGACY is why entrepreneurship is
included a W.O.M.E.N. (Women-Owned our entrepreneurs have service-based important,” Muhammad said. “It’s why we
and Managed Enterprise Network) con- companies, and I’d like to see more of continue to do what we do at EDAC.”
ference, a Maryland Military and Veter- them be product-based.”
an Women Business Conference with Muhammad sits on the board of the SunTrust Foundation supported
Morgan graduate Andrea Garris Jackson Maryland Technology Development EDAC’s “Side Hustle” program with
and a “MNDSET Conference” on entrepre- Corporation (TEDCO) and is a member a $75,000 grant and recognized the
neurship for millennials. Planned events of the Morgan Entrepreneurship Alum- center’s work with a Lighting the
include a conference for black fathers ni Chapter, a group whose mission is Way Award, in August.
who are entrepreneurs and a “Side Hustle to maintain a network of MSU alumni
Summit” virtual conference entrepreneurs to promote busi-
for current or prospective ness opportunities and serve as a
business owners who are resource for entrepreneurial devel-
also full-time employees. opment for students, the Univer-
SunTrust Foundation sity and the surrounding com-
supported EDAC’s “Side Hustle” program munity. For 20 years, he was host
with a $75,000 grant and recognized the of a radio show about entrepreneurship
center’s work with a Lighting the Way on Morgan’s WEAA Radio, and he now
Award, in August. Presenting the award, produces several podcasts on the topic
Stan Little, president of the SunTrust and writes a column in the Baltimore
Foundation, called EDAC one of its Business Journal. Like many successful
local, nonprofit partners “that empower advocates, Muhammad sees his work as
and strengthen the communities they a lifestyle, and he works intentionally
serve. EDAC is making a meaningful to influence everyone close to him with
impact with its programs to improve the his mission, from business associates
Continued on page 18
MORGAN MAGAZINE 17
VOLUME I 2020Continued from page 17
Assisted by EDAC Entrepreneurial Development and
Assistance Center
Andrea Garris Jackson Brandon Davenport
Principal Co-founder
DPN Group, LLC Baobab Clothing Inc.
Andrea Garris Jackson sought out EDAC’s services As an undergraduate in finance in Morgan’s Earl G. Graves
in the late 2000s. The Hampton, Virginia, native School of Business and Management, Brandon Davenport
and U.S. Army veteran had been downsized from spent many hours at EDAC, working as a student intern and
her job auditing developers for their compliance participating in the center’s classes, the Entrepreneurship
with rules regarding inclusion of minorities, women Society, the business plan competitions and other activities.
and local residents as contractors and employees So by the time he graduated from MSU in 2006, he felt pre-
in their projects. A Morgan graduate in political pared for business ownership. The Baltimore native started
science (B.S., 1993), Jackson was very familiar his first business, a mobile-device advertising technology
with the center by then and knew Omar Muham- company named Vesta Mobile Solutions, in 2007, with a
mad as a classmate. Encouraged by her former friend, Hampton University graduate Marcellus Alexander
employer, Jackson decided to launch a third-party III, and sold the company in 2010. The two launched their
compliance monitoring company to continue her current company, Baobab Clothing, a maker and distributor
previous work. EDAC, she said, gave her “the basic of high-quality, high-tech polo shirts, in 2018. Davenport
foundation and education to start my business, and Alexander are now seeking venture capital to grow Bao-
understand how to operate it and keep it running bab, a search that led them to a national TV appearance on
successfully.” Today, she reports that “I have made ABC’s Shark Tank this past October.
my first million” as head of DPN Group, LLC, a
company that has served as third-party compliance Brandon Davenport (left) and Marcellus Alexander III on ABC’s
monitor for the Johns Hopkins Science and Tech- Shark Tank (Oct. 13, 2019)
nology Park for the past 10 years and has numerous
other high-profile clients. Jackson is also chair of
the board of Stadium Place, in Baltimore City.
18 MORGAN MAGAZINE MORGAN.EDU
VOLUME I 2020You can also read
