2024 Honorees
Meet our honorees celebrated at the 2024 GSU Kicks Ball! We were honored to highlight their outstanding accomplishments and celebrate their remarkable contributions. These individuals have made a significant impact in their respective fields, and we’re proud to recognize them at our 2024 Kicks Ball event.
OLIVIA DYER
STUDENT EXCELLENCE
The Student Excellence Award honors those who embody Grambling State University’s values through academic achievement, leadership, and service. We are proud to announce that Olivia Dyer, a senior Business Marketing major from Dallas, TX, will receive this prestigious award at the 3rd Annual Kicks Ball Gala, presented by adidas. A 2024 White House HBCU Scholar, Olivia’s dedication to fostering positive change on campus and within the community exemplifies her leadership and commitment to making a lasting impact. We celebrate her incredible achievements and look forward to her continued success!
DR. CONNIE WALTON
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
As Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Connie Walton exemplifies the dedication and leadership recognized by the Service Excellence Award, which honors faculty and staff who make significant contributions to campus and classroom environments. We are proud to announce that she will receive this prestigious award at the 3rd Annual Kicks Ball Gala, presented by adidas. Dr. Walton’s exceptional leadership, including her role as Interim President, has been vital to the growth and success of Grambling State University. Her unwavering commitment to guiding key initiatives and ensuring academic excellence has left a lasting impact on our community. This honor celebrates her invaluable contributions.
CARLISHA ROBINSON
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
As Chief Customer Officer at Beyond, Inc., Carlisha Robinson exemplifies the spirit of the Business Excellence Award, which recognizes professionals who achieve exceptional success while positively impacting Grambling State University. We are proud to announce that she will receive this prestigious honor at the 3rd Annual Kicks Ball Gala, presented by adidas. Her innovative leadership across major brands like Overstock, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Zulily has driven remarkable transformation within the organization. As a proud Grambling State alumna with a background in computer science and mathematics, Carlisha’s success story continues to inspire future generations.
TURNER CONSTRUCTION
COMMUNITY CHANGEMAKER
The Community Changemaker Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to creating positive change, and we are proud to announce that Turner Construction will receive this honor at the 3rd Annual Kicks Ball Gala, presented by adidas. Turner’s contributions to Grambling State University—including over $150,000 in scholarships over the past two years and hiring four GSU students—have had a transformative impact. Special thanks to Chris Compton, Jr., a Grambling alumnus, for helping foster this valued partnership. Turner’s dedication to empowering the next generation exemplifies true community leadership.
2023 Honorees
Meet the inspiring honorees of the 2023 GSU Kicks Ball. Each of them has made a powerful impact through their work, leadership, and dedication. We’re grateful for the chance to celebrate their achievements and honor their contributions at our 2023 Kicks Ball event.
JORDAN BRAITHWAITE
STUDENT EXCELLENCE
The Student Excellence Award honors those who embody Grambling State University’s values through academic achievement, leadership, and service. We are proud to honor Jordan Braithwaite, a senior History major with a concentration in Law and Society from St. Louis, MO, at the 3rd Annual Kicks Ball Gala, presented by adidas. A 2021 White House HBCU Scholar, Jordan has held leadership roles with the Student Government Association, NAACP, Pinkie C. Wilkerson Pre-Law Society, and the Democratic National Committee. She has also been a leading voice in advocating for a polling place on campus, helping to remove barriers to voting and encouraging civic responsibility among her peers. With aspirations to become an attorney, Jordan exemplifies the power of student leadership and a commitment to positive change.
DR. MEG BROWN
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
The Service Excellence Award honors those who exemplify Grambling State University’s values through extraordinary commitment to others. We are proud to honor Dr. Meg Brown, Dean of the School of Nursing, at the 3rd Annual Kicks Ball Gala, presented by adidas. Under her leadership, Grambling State has achieved back-to-back 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, a historic accomplishment that affirms the program’s strength and national reputation. Dr. Brown’s innovative teaching strategies and dedication to her students’ success have positioned Grambling State’s nursing program as one of excellence and distinction. Her guidance has inspired future nurses to enter the field well-prepared and confident, ready to meet healthcare needs across the state and beyond. Her service reflects an unwavering commitment to education and the lives of those she touches.
Partnership for Education Advancement
COMMUNITY CHANGEMAKER AWARD
The Community Changemaker Award honors those whose vision and impact strengthen communities and create lasting opportunities. We are proud to honor the Partnership for Education Advancement at the 3rd Annual Kicks Ball Gala, presented by adidas. Led by Dr. James Runcie, the nonprofit organization partners with historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions to expand student success. By improving enrollment and fundraising systems, investing in institutional infrastructure, and providing sustainable technological solutions, Ed Advancement empowers schools to better serve first-generation, low-income, and students of color. Its mission reflects a bold commitment to socioeconomic mobility and closing systemic gaps. Through this work, the organization continues to transform educational access and outcomes for thousands of students across the nation.
THOMAS MOOREHEAD
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD
TThe Business Excellence Award honors those who demonstrate exceptional innovation, leadership, and philanthropic impact. We are proud to honor Thomas Moorehead, a 1966 Grambling State University accounting graduate, at the 3rd Annual Kicks Ball Gala, presented by adidas. A pioneering entrepreneur, Moorehead became the first African American to own a Rolls-Royce franchise and later expanded into Lamborghini, McLaren, and Harley-Davidson dealerships. He also made history as the first African American owner of the Marriott Residence Inn at National Harbor. Alongside his wife, Joyce Anne, he established a charitable foundation that has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships and emergency grants to underserved students and families. His career reflects the highest levels of business achievement paired with an enduring commitment to community uplift.