Montgomery, AL – The Laymen’s Fellowship of the First Congregational Church is set to host its Annual Black History Month Program on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The event, held at the historic church located at 638 High Street, will highlight the legacy and contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Alabama.
Dr. Quinton T. Ross, the esteemed 15th president of Alabama State University (ASU), will serve as the keynote speaker. A native of Mobile, Dr. Ross has an extensive career in education and public service. He served four terms in the Alabama State Senate representing the Montgomery area before transitioning into leadership roles in education, including as Principal of Booker T. Washington Magnet High School and Director of the Adult Education Consortium at H. Trenholm State Technical College.
Dr. Ross holds a B.S. in Political Science, an M.A. in Education, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, all from ASU. His commitment to advancing HBCUs has been recognized nationally, including appointments to the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Board of Advisors and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Board of Directors, which honored him as the 2023 Educator of the Year. He is also actively involved in organizations such as the Southwestern Athletic Conference Commission, 100 Black Men of America, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
This year’s program theme, “Celebrating the Legacy of HBCUs in Alabama,” will pay tribute to the pivotal role these institutions play in shaping Black excellence and leadership. In recognition of their impact, all Alabama HBCU presidents will be honored at the event. Attendees will also be treated to a special performance by the renowned Tuskegee University Choir.
Adding to the significance of the program, the Laymen’s Fellowship will present a special brotherhood award in memory of the late Cecil St. Clair, a cherished former member whose contributions to the church and community remain an enduring legacy.
The Annual Black History Month Program at First Congregational Church continues to serve as a vital gathering that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future of Black leadership and education in Alabama.
