Florida A&M College (FAMU) will confer honorary Physician of Humane Letters levels to L.A. residents Shirley Pooler Kinsey and her son, Khalil B. Kinsey, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to African American artwork, historical past, and schooling.
The pair will obtain the popularity throughout the Spring 2025 Graduation Ceremony scheduled Saturday, Might 3 at 9 a.m., on the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Middle and Instructing Gymnasium, the place Bernard Kinsey, L.H.D., will function the graduation speaker.
“We’re immensely proud to acknowledge Shirley and Khalil Kinsey—two distinctive Florida A&M College alumni whose work has illuminated the richness of African American historical past and tradition throughout the globe,” stated FAMU Interim President Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D.
“Their unwavering dedication to schooling, neighborhood empowerment, and cultural preservation exemplifies the very best beliefs of our college. We aren’t simply honoring particular person achievement—we’re celebrating a household whose impression continues to encourage generations.”
The uncommon joint honor celebrates a household legacy of cultural preservation, instructional advocacy, and neighborhood service.
“I’m extraordinarily honored to obtain an honorary doctorate from my beloved alma mater, Florida A&M College,” stated Shirley.
“FAMU gave me greater than an schooling—it gave me the braveness to seek out my voice, to dream boldly, and to imagine within the energy of my function. I try daily to stay out FAMU’s highly effective mantra of ‘excellence with caring.’”
The Kinsey’s are identified for being the house owners of one of many largest and most complete collections of African American artwork and historic paperwork. Their assortment tells the story of African American achievement and contributions from 1595 to current.
Seen by greater than 16 million individuals, the Kinsey African American Artwork and Historical past Assortment has exhibited on three continents and 40 cities that embrace the Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of American Historical past, Epcot Walt Disney World, Hong Kong College, Holocaust Museum Houston and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
“I’m deeply grateful to Florida A&M College for this unimaginable honor,” stated Khalil. “To be acknowledged alongside my mom by the very establishment that formed who I’m is each humbling and galvanizing.”
Shirley Pooler Kinsey, co-founder of The Kinsey African American Artwork & Historical past Assortment, will likely be acknowledged for her lifelong dedication to schooling and cultural enrichment. A local of St. Augustine, Florida, and a graduate of FAMU, Shirley has performed a pivotal function in elevating over $36 million for schooling and charitable causes alongside her husband of 58 years, Bernard.
Collectively, the Kinsey’s established one of many nation’s most in depth collections of African American artwork and historic artifacts, which has been seen by greater than 16 million individuals and exhibited at greater than 40 prestigious establishments worldwide, together with the Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of American Historical past.
Shirley was valedictorian of her graduating highschool class, resulting in a scholarship to Florida A&M College, the place she joined the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., in 1965. Shirley has had careers in each schooling and company America.
Shirley’s work continues via the Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Basis for the Arts and Schooling, and their accompanying instructional ebook, which has been built-in into Florida’s Ok-12 curriculum.
Khalil B. Kinsey will likely be honored for his management in advancing cultural schooling and social fairness. As chief working officer and chief curator of The Kinsey Assortment, and director of The Kinsey Basis, Khalil has expanded the attain of the gathering to over 16 million guests worldwide. His work bridges artwork, schooling, and activism, with a give attention to selling African American historical past and racial fairness via exhibitions, curriculum improvement, and neighborhood applications.
Along with his curatorial work, Khalil is an entrepreneur and cultural innovator. He has co-founded artistic ventures reminiscent of Context Tasks and Pure Motion, a nonprofit wine membership supporting BIPOC communities within the wine business, and Offhand Wine Bar in Santa Monica.
