Florida A&M University (FAMU) held a ceremony to name its band rehearsal hall after alumni Bernard W. Kinsey and Shirley Pooler Kinsey on October 16, 2025. The event took place at the university’s campus in Tallahassee, Florida.
The newly named Drs. Bernard W. and Shirley Pooler Kinsey Band Hall, Home of the Marching “100,” honors the Kinseys for their commitment to education, philanthropy, and the preservation of African American history and culture.
Dean of the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Valencia Matthews, opened the ceremony by saying, “Today we gather to honor two of the most illustrious members of our FAMUly, Shirley and Bernard Kinsey, African American treasures and proud Rattlers who have joyfully embraced their roles as stewards of our culture, champions of education, and ambassadors of excellence.”
The Kinseys have supported communities for more than 50 years through education, philanthropy, and art. Their Kinsey African American Art & History Collection has reached over 16 million people across three continents.
Matthew Knowles, record executive and longtime friend of Bernard Kinsey, attended the ceremony. He stated, “You have influenced and inspired many of us. Your efforts have fostered a sense of connection and support within our community. We are incredibly proud of you and the dedication of the Bernard and Shirley Pooler Kinsey Band Hall,” adding, “We cherish very much your friendship and the impact it has had on our lives. As we reflect upon your remarkable contributions, let me leave you with a powerful thought: the influence of one vital person can send forth waves of inspiration and change that resonate far beyond their lifetime.”
Earlier in 2025, FAMU awarded honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to Shirley Kinsey and their son, Khalil Kinsey, during its Spring Commencement. Bernard Kinsey received the same distinction in 1987.
FAMU President Marva Johnson spoke about the significance of honoring the Kinseys in a space important to them, saying, “Today holds a lot of tradition and this building holds a lot of history. This is the place where our band students have learned not only notes but life lessons that have propelled them to many places in life and to much greater stages than just their instruments would demonstrate.” Johnson also noted the Kinseys’ donations to FAMU, including purchasing band uniforms and instruments, sponsoring travel for the band’s 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade appearance, and contributing to facility renovations.
Khalil Kinsey, COO and creative director of the Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Arts & Education, reflected on the family’s legacy: “It’s truly an honor to know that our names will be on this building—I think I heard someone say, forever. I can see our ancestors smiling right now and reminding us that yes, we are the answer to their prayers. They dreamed this for us, and that’s why it’s happening. Amen. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all the hands, heads, and hearts that went into making this day happen.”
Bernard Kinsey addressed students with advice on resilience and responsibility: “The idea of having options in your life is one of the things I want every one of us to understand, particularly the [Marching] ‘100’ and young FAMUans. How important it is to have a backup to the backup. The essence of your being is how am I going to continue, where am I going in the future—and that’s what informs you.”
He also spoke about using his blessings to help others, noting that he and Shirley have raised over $40 million for humanitarian causes and helped send hundreds of Los Angeles high school students to FAMU.
Reflecting on his life choices, Bernard Kinsey said, “I’m proud of our marriage and our son, Khalil. He is such a good person. He is remarkable in so many ways and how he represents himself and us.”
He concluded with a message about community responsibility: “Leave the door open and the ladder down. That’s the way out for Black folks. If we are up here striving for each other, we can make this thing work. The myth of absence says that we as Black folk are invisible presences. Invisible presences mean that we’re here—we’re just not part of the story, not part of the picture, not part of the dialogue in this country. You know what we have to do? Say it’s just not true.”
