Johnson C. Smith University President Nabs Grammy Award-Winning, Amir Windom, For Presidents Scholar In Residence
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Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on September 23, 2024 Dr. Valerie Kinloch, 15th President of Johnson C. Smith University, appoints Amir Windom, Grammy Award-winning music and film executive, as the new President’s Scholar in Residence & Visiting Faculty at Johnson C. Smith University for the 2024-2025 academic year. In this role, Amir will partner with the University on projects bridging his 360-creative-perspective with Johnson C. Smith University’s mission. He will use his expertise to support faculty development, student engagement and alumni connectivity. Amir will be featured in a master class series on entertainment, talent development, and production. Windom says he is “excited about all the creative and impactful things we can accomplish together.” He will employ his experience in the entertainment industry to provide JCSU students with education, experience, and opportunity in the world of entertainment. Currently, Amir Windom is regarded as one of the nation's top young leaders and creative minds in entertainment. As a successful executive of A&R (artists & repertoire) and creative affairs, Amir has been an influential figure in the careers of some of today's biggest stars, including Bruno Mars, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. Amir's distinguished career has provided him with opportunities to creatively contribute to numerous GRAMMY Award-winning songs, albums and film soundtracks that have sold millions of records and won many awards. Amir Windom is also an Oscar-nominated film/music supervisor and producer. In the music industry, he composes, produces and places music, creates original scores, and designs creative strategies for major film companies, such as Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate Films. In addition, Amir Windom’s projects include feature films like Little, Despicable Me 2, Collateral Beauty, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man; Why Did I Get Married 2; and Stomp the Yard 2. Amir's projects include highly-rated network and cable television series like Insecure (HBO), Sherman’s Showcase (AMC), BIGGER (BET), Being Mary Jane (BET), ALPHAS (SyFy), and Entourage (HBO). Windom has put his skills to work in the business world through global marketing campaigns for the Coca-Cola Company (Summer Olympics & Respect Your Verse), Kodak (So Kodak feat Drake & Rihanna), ESPN, and more. Amir made history when he, as part of a collective, helped launch Black News Channel, the first major TV network that airs 24-hour news and original programming specifically geared to the African American audience. The network currently can be viewed in close to 100 million homes via DirecTV, Comcast, Dish, U-Verse, Charter/Spectrum and Roku to name a few. Amir also has created or curated a number of festivals around the country including the Capella Music Festival (www.capellamusicfestival.com) and Grits & Biscuits (www.gritsandbiscuits.com). Most recently, Amir created The Big Homecoming Festival. The Big Homecoming (TBH) is the first 365 Impact festival to benefit HBCUs. The festival uses all the components of the HBCU Homecoming experience to create a festival experience that feels like you’re attending all the HBCU homecomings by attending just one big homecoming. The festival extends beyond the two-day festival and is the first festival that creates 365 Impact for HBCUs, by visiting them throughout the school year through programming, events and activations focused on entrepreneurship, financial wellness, health & wellness, recruitment, leadership development and Tech (www.thebighomecoming.com). Amir and his ventures have donated more than $500k in scholarships and grants. Dr. Kinloch along with JCSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni, are excited to welcome Amir Windom to Johnson C. Smith University in this New Era of Excellence. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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