They celebrated one hundred years of Black excellence!
At Xavier University of Louisiana’s Centennial Gala, held May 9th, basketball icon turned business mogul Magic Johnson pledged $500,000 to the nation’s only historically Black and Catholic university, Black Enterprise reports. His powerful gesture helped the school surpass $2 million in total funds raised, all earmarked for student scholarships.
But the moment was bigger than dollars. Johnson’s pledge was made in honor of President Emeritus Dr. Norman C. Francis, whose legacy is woven into the very fabric of Xavier’s rise.
“The mark of a great man is who shows up,” Johnson said at the gala. “Because the man that you are, all the great things that you’ve done in your stellar career. And all the people that you helped. You became successful through your great leadership at Xavier… In your honor, I’m going to give Xavier $500,000.”
Dr. Francis, who led the university for an astounding 47 years, almost half of its existence, tripled enrollment and was responsible for boosting the enrollment of Black students in medical school across the country. A Xavier graduate himself, he became a national figure in education and civil rights, showing the world what steady, visionary leadership could do.
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The Centennial Gala brought together a powerful mix of celebration and commitment. Hosted by comedian Bill Bellamy and headlined by the timeless voice of R&B legend Jeffrey Osborne, the evening honored a century of shaping leaders and launched the next chapter of impact.
“Our Centennial Gala was a beautiful success,” said Phillip D. Adams, Xavier’s vice president of institutional advancement. “Not just that it honored Xavier’s storied legacy, but that we raised more than $2 million to secure the futures of deserving students who choose a Xavier education.”
Xavier stands as a beacon, ranked among the top HBCUs in the country and nationally recognized for its excellence in STEM and health sciences. With Johnson’s gift and the support of its community, the university is proving that the next 100 years will be just as transformational as the last.
Cover photo: Magic Johnson Pledges $500K Gift, Helps Xavier University Raise Over $2 Million at Centennial Gala/Photo credit: XULA.edu