The 2026 Reflections of Excellence program brought Morehouse College students together with some of the most accomplished leaders in business, medicine, science, and the arts for a morning of reflection, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom. Held as part of Founder's Week and connected to the legacy of the A Candle in the Dark Gala, the program celebrated Morehouse’s commitment to pairing excellence with access, mentorship, and truth-telling.
President Dr. F. DuBois Bowman '92 opened the program by emphasizing that Reflections of Excellence was designed to bring the influence of Candle and Bennie honorees directly to students. For nearly forty years, the "A Candle in the Dark" Gala has brought global leaders to campus in support of scholarships. Reflections of Excellence ensures these leaders also share their experiences and insights in a student-focused setting. President Bowman noted that at Morehouse, excellence is tangible, practiced, and taught.
Emmy-nominated journalist Jonathan Martin, known for his connection to Atlanta and support of HBCUs, moderated the discussion. He encouraged students to listen attentively, take notes, and engage actively, stressing that the insights offered were based on real experience.
This year’s Bennie Award honorees represented leadership, service, and trailblazing at the highest levels. James Hudson ’61, recipient of the 2026 Bennie Trailblazer Award, attended Morehouse College during the presidency of Benjamin E. Mays. He reflected on how being surrounded by intellectually and personally challenging peers at Morehouse shaped his experience.
“When you come to Morehouse and find men with equal—or even greater—intelligence than you,” Hudson said, “Morehouse challenges you to raise your game to a whole new level. This institution forces you to think about what you want to do in life, who you are as a person, and ultimately shapes you into the man you are meant to become.”
Willie Woods ’85, recipient of the 2026 Bennie Service Award, discussed the discipline needed to balance private equity leadership with sustained service to institutions and communities. He highlighted the confidence and grounding Morehouse provides, lessons that extend beyond academics.
“What I think Morehouse does better than anything is give you confidence,” Woods said. “If you have fully participated in the process at this institution, when you graduate, you should have no doubts about yourself. Enter every space knowing you are well qualified. Morehouse grounds you, shows you, and tells you how great you are. Stay true to what you learned about yourself here, and carry that with you into every challenge and opportunity.
Dr. Willie Underwood III ’88, recipient of the 2026 Bennie Leadership Award, shared how Morehouse prepared him for a career focused on service and equity, leading to his role as president of the American Medical Association. He urged students to embrace responsibility, step confidently into leadership, and recognize their own power to make change.
“If not you, then who?” Underwood asked. “There’s no cavalry coming. It’s us—and we have to do the work. Know that you belong in the rooms you are in. Your voice matters, your perspective is needed, and your presence is not accidental. Step forward, contribute boldly, and lead with the confidence that you were meant to be here.”
The 2026 Candle honorees expanded the conversation across industries and career paths. Eric Johnson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Baldwin Richardson Foods and recipient of the Candle in Business Award, spoke about making leadership decisions in uncertain times and how values-based risk-taking influenced his career.
He encouraged students to stay anchored to purpose, noting, “You pick your North Star, and you keep going at it every day. There’s no day you can stop, because excellence is always moving. That pursuit itself will guide your life and business decisions.”
Dr. Robert Satcher, former NASA astronaut, physician, and Candle in Science, Engineering and Technology honoree, spoke candidly about resisting pressure to narrow his ambitions and instead embracing the full range of his talents. Drawing on his own journey, he urged students to pursue their aspirations fully, with discipline and excellence.
“I encourage students to think seriously about what they want to pursue, dedicate themselves to it, and strive to be the very best at it,” Satcher said. “That’s something Morehouse College teaches you every day. Even in hostile times, the sky is still the limit.”
Filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee, recipient of the Candle in Arts and Entertainment Award, spoke about the responsibility of telling Black stories with care, joy, and authenticity, and honoring community memory through art. He advised students to approach creativity with discipline and humility, stressing that mastery of craft leads to lasting impact.
“Really learn your craft,” Lee advised. “I had many interests as a young person, and I funneled all of them into filmmaking, telling stories through that lens. Don’t ask what someone can do for you. Figure out how you can be a valuable asset to the people already doing the work. That’s how you get your foot in the door.”
Throughout the program, students heard a consistent message across generations and professions: success is rarely linear, mentorship matters, and purpose must remain central. Honorees repeatedly pointed back to teachers, elders, and moments of guidance that helped them navigate doubt, complexity, and expectation.
The program concluded with a dynamic question-and-answer session, allowing students to engage directly with honorees on leadership, career decisions, faith, failure, and navigating power and responsibility as Black men. This exchange reinforced the program’s purpose: create space for honesty, connection, and learning that cannot be replicated elsewhere.