FAMU alumni selected for 2013 Legends Award by ESPN

FAMU alumni Bernard and Shirley Kinsey will receive the 2013 Legends Award during the
MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando during Labor Day Weekend.

“We feel honored to be a part of the Legends Awards during the MEAC/SWAC weekend,” said Bernard Kinsey. “We are delighted to be recognized with such an esteemed group of honorees, and we applaud ESPN for their work with historically black colleges and universities.”

During their 46-year marriage, Bernard and Shirley Kinsey have raised more than $11 million for FAMU and $7 million for the United Way. For the past seven years, they also have focused their attention on The Kinsey Collection, their national touring museum exhibit of African American art and history dating back to 1600. The collection has been viewed by over 3 million visitors, was on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC and is currently on national tour in part with Wells Fargo. A portion of the exhibit is also on display in the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot in Orlando through 2016. The Kinsey Collection book was adopted by the Florida Department of Education for African-American curriculum to be taught to students in grades K-12 statewide.

The Legends Award was established in 2009 to pay tribute to extraordinary alumni who have used their respective MEAC and SWAC university education to bring excellence to their professional achievements and/or community service endeavors (local, state, national or global). The Legends Awards were established to honor dedicated alumni who, through exceptional service to their respective university, have helped to advance the institution’s mission and goals. Legends Award recipients are representative of the rich diversity of MEAC and SWAC universities, and they inspire others. Through their enduring commitment to excellence, integrity, civility, diversity and service, they serve as stellar examples for future graduates of MEAC and SWAC institutions.

Additional members of the 2013 class of award recipients includes David “Deacon” Jones, representing South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University; Chuck Maldonado, representing North Carolina A&T State University; Charlie Neal, representing Villanova University; Lucille O’Neal, representing Bethune-Cookman University; and Willie Totten, representing Mississippi Valley State University.