My School’s New Logo Ain’t My Fav, But I‘ll Support #NCCUForever

I was honored to have been asked to meet with the firm who created the newest mark for North Carolina Central University, exclusively replacing the logo featuring the administration building and stacked full university name. (All others, like the Founder’s seal and eagles from athletics will remain).

In our 2017 homecoming focus group of three alumni, two being former student body presidents, none were thrilled about this design. I would have preferred a black design firm and/or NCCU alumni leading this design process. At the very least either group could have provided contextual framework like NCCU graduate cultural norms, change management, stakeholder relations and roll out, etc.

I expressed my deep concerns about first, changing the manner in which we (officially) pronounce the name of our alma mater (NCCU to NC Central). During my matriculation in Durham, it was basically prohibited to refer to the university as “Central” debunking any affiliation with the closely located Central prison. I’m not at all a fan of the abstract image, hopefully never to be described as our mascot the Eagle. (The actual inspiration was the corner architectural accents on the Hoey Administration Building).

As a proud Alum of North Carolina Central University (@nccueagle) and a branding professional, (www.thebrandelevator.com). It’s not a bad logo. I am excited to see our new Chancellor (Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D) starting off with a bold, risk-taking and progressive choice to update the University’s primary branding. (Apparently a system wide mandate of the UNC Board of Governors)

It’s a clean design, and a much needed departure from the more traditional current branding. (Which was implemented in advance of the university’s movement to NCAA Division 1 athletics). I sat on that committee and remember and Alumnae from 1968 asking why the Eagle claws were so sharp!

What’s Central to current students and recent graduates: transparency between administration and students, career readiness, securing employment post graduation, adequate housing on campus, complete awareness options for graduate studies, and a lit homecoming! (I say call NCCU Alum Brandon McEachern from Broccoli City).

What’s Central to me? Ensuring my university is at the forefront of current issues impacting the planet, offering fresh and relevant perspective locally, nationally and globally, consistently. Maintaining integrity with our governance of finances, academic rigor and how we support and connect with students (present and future), their parents, alumni, faculty/staff and our stakeholders (present and future).

My commitment is to the preservation and elevation of the best university on the planet. North Carolina Central University! I will use my voice to raise money, increase awareness about our amazing programs, create collaborative opportunities to elevate the brand, and continue to enroll young people into the institution and develop its student leaders.

Stay on the lookout for The Maroon Society, my new endeavor advocating for HBCUs and other educational institutions who support underutilized communities and populations.

In truth and service,

#NCCUForever

@KianBrown

TheBrandElevator.com

Executive Vice President, UNC Association of Student Governments (03–04)

Member, NCCU Board of Trustees (2003–2004)

President, NCCU Student Government Association (2003–2004)

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