FAMU School of Business and Industry Associate Professor
Annette Singleton Jackson and retired Provost and Professor Emeritus Leedell W.
Neyland recently released the book, “The Florida A&M University School of
Business and Industry: SBI, The Sybil Collins Mobley Years.”
According to the authors, the book is a labor of love and is
more than 20 years in the making. Neyland, who originally selected Sybil C. Mobley as
chair for FAMU’s then-Department of Business, began research for the book in
the 1990s. Details featured in the book are inspired by Neyland’s interviews
with former SBI Dean Sybil Mobley’s previous students, colleagues and corporate
partners. In 2009, Jackson officially began penning the book.
According to Jackson, the book illustrates how Mobley’s
vision for African-American students in business education was achieved.
“Dean Mobley’s vision was for her students to be ‘the
force,’” Jackson said. “She wanted to have graduates in every position, at
every company. If you needed something, you could find an SBIan for the job.”
With this goal in mind, Jackson accounts that Mobley created
a well-rounded program emphasizing professional development and created
corporate partnerships for funding, internships and job placement.
Pleased with her approach to business education, the
American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) provided funding for her programs in the
1970s. SBI officially started in 1974.
“This book isn’t about selling a book, it is about telling
the story,” said Jackson, who was recruited by Mobley as a high school senior
and later as a professor.
The book is available on Amazon.com for $20. A portion of
the sales will be donated to SBI scholarships.