May 15, 2023 (Updated with memorial service information)
Dear NCCU Community:
A celebration of life service for Kian McKinley Brown '06, '21, national vice president of the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Alumni Association Inc., has been confirmed.
The service will take place on Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m., at World Overcomers Christian Church (2933 S. Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703). A repast on the NCCU campus will follow the memorial service (further details to be provided). In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to 'The Kian Brown Annual Scholarship Fund' at https://bit.ly/KianBrown.
A proud Eagle and strong advocate for NCCU, Kian was known for his civic engagement and commitment to the preservation of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). His love for his alma mater was unmatched and he remained dedicated to delivering 'The Eagle Promise' to students through his time and financial contributions. In 2019, he served as the keynote speaker at NCCU's Honors Convocation.
As an NCCU student, Kian held several leadership roles, including student government association president and senior vice president of the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments (ASG). He earned a bachelor's degree in history education and master's degree in educational technology from the university.
A personal branding expert and philanthropist, Kian was founding partner of Millennium Sports Management Group, tailored to help professional athletes and public figures with their humanitarian efforts, and co-founder of the Urban Male Leadership Academy, designed to empower and mentor males of color. He was named among the 'Most Influential People of African Decent Under 40' and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
Please continue to keep Kian's family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you.
May 5, 2023
Dear NCCU Family:
It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Kian McKinley Brown, ’06, ’21, national vice president of the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Alumni Association Inc., on May 2, 2023.
A native of the 'Port City' community in Wilmington, N.C., Kian’s love for - and commitment to - NCCU was unmatched. He was a proud Eagle and strong advocate for the university and delivering the ‘Eagle Promise’ to its student scholars. In 2019, he delivered the keynote address at NCCU’s Honors Convocation.
As an NCCU student, Brown served as student government association president and senior vice president of the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments (ASG). He earned a bachelor’s degree in history education and master’s degree in educational technology from the university.
A personal branding expert and philanthropist, he was widely known for his civic engagement and commitment to the preservation of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In 2016, Kian was featured on the reality television digital series #TheGraduatesNYC, where he used his platform to advocate for HBCUs and transitioned to media coach and speaker. He was named among the ‘Most Influential People of African Decent Under 40’ and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
Kian’s career was always driven by his passionate interest in entrepreneurship, which resulted in roles as founding partner of Millennium Sports Management Group, a non-profit philanthropic-centered management firm tailored to helping professional athletes and public figures with their humanitarian efforts, and co-founder of the Urban Male Leadership Academy, which empowers and mentors males of color.
Additional information regarding Kian’s funeral services will be shared with the campus community when available.
Please keep his family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers.
In Truth and Service,
Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D.
Chancellor
