Charlotte Latin’s Black Student Alliance (BSA), with support from the DEI office, hosted the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly on Wednesday, January 17th, bringing a powerful message to Upper School students. The theme, “Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy: The Significance of HBCUs in Advancing Equity & Education,” was eloquently presented by BSA leaders Kwasi Thornhill ‘24, Lewawit Alemu ‘26, Leah Tewolde ‘24 and Alexsandra Jefferson ‘26.

During the assembly, they delved into the rich history of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) in the United States, highlighting Dr. King’s educational journey at Morehouse College. The discussion touched on the diverse array of HBCUs (North Carolina alone boasting ten such institutions) and the influential figures who have graduated from these colleges, including numerous Latin alums.

Special guest and alumnus, Christian Mackey ‘14, underlined the legacy of HBCUs as nurturing grounds for excellence—producing leaders, thinkers, and visionaries who impact the world. He also shared about his personal journey to attending an HBCU located in Atlanta, GA.

Christian’s interest sparked during junior year, when he spoke with a visiting Morehouse College representative and also Ty Smith ‘12, a Latin alum and then freshman at Morehouse. “As an African-American navigating the halls of Charlotte Latin with few others who looked like me, the appeal of an HBCU experience became compelling.” 

Determined to make his dream a reality, Christian pursued a scholarship. After calling the admissions officer weekly and eventually driving from Charlotte to Atlanta to make his case in person, Christian returned to Charlotte victorious. “That day, I left his office with a full tuition scholarship. But more importantly, I walked away with a newfound appreciation for pursuing one’s dreams with persistent determination. That mindset is applicable regardless of where you decide to pursue your college education”. 

Christian urged, “Wherever your journey may take you, trust the process, embrace the challenges, enjoy the ride, and make the absolute most of wherever you are. Your journey, like mine, may have its share of uncertainties, but each twist and turn is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.”

Christian earned his B.A. in Business Administration from Morehouse College and now lives in Miami, FL where he works as an associate at private equity firm ICV Partner.

Following the assembly, Christian joined a panel of fellow HBCU grads who are also parents at Charlotte Latin—including Karif Taylor, Janeka Handford, and Christian’s father, Carl Mackey—and college counselors Lucy Smith and Alex Segura. The panel engaged Latin parents in a conversation about the HBCU experience and the college application process. Christian wrapped up his day by connecting with students over lunch, fostering further dialogue and camaraderie.