Grambling State names Faculty of Enterprise in honor of Thomas and Joyce Moorehead with $10M partnership
Transformational partnership marks the primary named school and the most important particular person funding in college historical past, driving a brand new period of educational excellence and alternative
In a defining second for Grambling State College, Thomas and Joyce Moorehead, via the Moorehead Household Basis, have made a transformational $2 million anchor funding, catalyzing a complete influence valued at $10 million, to determine the Thomas and Joyce Moorehead Faculty of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship—the primary named school within the College’s 124-year historical past.
“This second is about honoring a proud legacy and constructing a launchpad for the following era of leaders,” mentioned President Martin Lemelle, Jr. “The Mooreheads’ generosity displays the easiest of what it means to be Grambling State—reworking imaginative and prescient into alternative.”
Authorized by the College of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, the newly named school will likely be housed within the Jacob T. Stewart Educational Constructing and strengthened by a sequence of endowed initiatives made attainable via the Moorehead pledge.
These embrace the Joyce Moorehead Scholar End Line Scholarship to help seniors dealing with monetary hardship; the Thomas A. Moorehead Scholar Entrepreneur and Funding Fellows Program providing immersive studying in entrepreneurship, funding technique, and venture-building; the Thomas A. Moorehead Endowed Dean of the Faculty of Enterprise to recruit nationally acknowledged management; and the Thomas and Joyce Moorehead College Fellowship to increase analysis, innovation, and inclusive excellence in enterprise schooling.
“Having the Faculty of Enterprise named in honor of Thomas and Joyce Moorehead is really a blessing,” mentioned Dr. Derrick Warren, Dean of the Faculty of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. “Their legacy of excellence, resilience, and generosity will encourage our college students and college to pursue greatness and innovation. This funding elevates our profile nationally and enhances the transformative experiences we offer.”
The naming of the Faculty of Enterprise in honor of Thomas and Joyce Moorehead acknowledges not solely Mr. Moorehead’s groundbreaking accomplishments as a luxurious automotive and actual property entrepreneur, but in addition Mrs. Moorehead’s distinguished authorized profession and her lifelong dedication to civil rights, schooling, and public service.
Collectively, the Mooreheads embody the beliefs of management, integrity, and group empowerment—values which might be central to the mission of the Faculty of Enterprise and that they’ve championed via each their skilled endeavors and philanthropic efforts.
A proud Grambling State College alumnus, Thomas Moorehead’s rise from humble beginnings began in Monroe, Louisiana.
He made historical past as the primary African American franchise proprietor of BMW, Rolls Royce, McLaren, and Lamborghini dealerships, later increasing into hospitality and actual property ventures that constructed probably the most distinguished dealership portfolios within the nation.
He started within the Midwest, proudly owning Buick and Isuzu in Omaha, Nebraska, adopted by Buick, GMC Truck, and BMW in Decatur, Illinois.
Relocating to Virginia, he went on to determine BMW of Sterling and MINI of Sterling and continued breaking limitations because the world’s first African American Rolls-Royce vendor with Rolls-Royce Motor Automobiles Sterling.
His portfolio additional expanded to incorporate Lamborghini Sterling, McLaren Sterling, and Harley-Davidson of Washington, D.C. In recognition of his business management and unmatched buyer expertise, Bugatti awarded him its unique franchise previous to his retirement.
Moorehead not solely represented these prestigious manufacturers however elevated them—setting flagship requirements for service, picture, and buyer expertise that producers later adopted nationwide.
He’s a testomony to the ability of schooling, imaginative and prescient, and dedication.
Thomas and Joyce Moorehead expanded their enterprise portfolio past automotive enterprises into the hospitality and wine industries.
They have been among the many early pioneers behind the event of the Nationwide Harbor waterfront vacation spot on the Potomac River, partnering with Marriott Worldwide and Built-in Capital to construct and open the Residence Inn at Nationwide Harbor.
That profitable enterprise advanced into possession pursuits in additional than 43 motels throughout the USA.
In a later collaboration, the Mooreheads joined forces with Henry and Billye Aaron and partnered with Baker Household Wines, owned by Dusty Baker, to supply and market premium purple and white California wines now bought nationwide.
Joyce Moorehead, an completed lawyer and civic chief, has superior civil rights and social justice via her work with the NAACP, college boards, college boards, authorized companies organizations, and nationwide advocacy teams—bringing authorized experience and strategic management to causes that uplift underrepresented communities.
“This honor is deeply private to each of us,” mentioned Thomas and Joyce Moorehead. “Grambling ready Thomas for achievement in enterprise and in life. As an lawyer, Joyce is aware of the transformative energy of schooling. Collectively, we would like future generations of Gramblinites to graduate prepared to steer, to construct, and to serve. Our hope is that this pledge will open doorways of alternative for college students who, like us, dare to attain.”
The Moorehead funding stands as a cornerstone of Grambling State’s mission to increase entry and strengthen educational excellence.
It affirms a broader dedication to make sure that every educational school—enterprise, schooling, sciences, the humanities, and graduate {and professional} research—has the assets and help to thrive.
“This transformational funding from Mr. and Mrs. Moorehead represents a defining second in Grambling State College’s historical past,” mentioned Brandon A. Logan, Vice President for College Development and Innovation. “Their generosity not solely units a brand new commonplace for philanthropy but in addition reaffirms the enduring promise of what’s attainable when imaginative and prescient and function align.”
Presently ranked #89 nationally and #1 in Louisiana for social mobility (CollegeNet, 2024), Grambling State continues to organize college students to graduate on time, with minimal debt, and able to thrive as entrepreneurs, students, and world residents.
“Strategic investments like this one be sure that our college students, college, and employees have the assets wanted to thrive,” mentioned Vice President of Administration and Enterprise Affairs, Penya M. Moses. “The Mooreheads’ generosity strengthens our capacity to ship on our mission and maintain our momentum as we develop into the longer term.”
