Jack and Jill of America Honors Morehouse President and First Lady, Donates $20,000 to Morehouse College Initiative

F. DuBois Bowman, ’92, Ph.D., the 13^th President of Morehouse College, and First Lady Cynthia Bowman have been honored with a Building Legacy Award by Jack and Jill of America, Inc., in recognition of individuals who embody the organization’s values of community service, family empowerment, and enduring mentorship.

Dr. Bowman is a nationally respected biostatistician with a distinguished career at the intersection of scholarship, leadership, and public service. He earned his Ph.D. in biostatistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has spent more than 20 years mentoring the next generation of scholars and expanding access to science fields. As president of Morehouse College, he leads with the conviction that excellence and service are inseparable, demonstrating that purpose-driven institutions have the power to build a more just, equitable, and healthier world. Before his presidency, Dr. Bowman served as Dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Cynthia Bowman, a 1991 alumna of Spelman College, is Vice President of Global Talent and People Data & Technology at Apple. Bowman also spent 17 years in executive leadership at Bank of America, in the fields of human resources and corporate responsibility. She earned her MBA at Northwestern University and her Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

“Thank you, Jack and Jill of America, for recognizing the First Lady and me for our commitment to empowering students to follow their dreams, earn college degrees, and begin impactful careers in business and STEM,” said Dr. Bowman. “We are deeply humbled by this recognition because it reflects our shared mission: helping young people realize their full potential. As parents and community advocates, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their talents and lead lives of purpose.”

As part of the Bowmans’ special recognition, the Jack and Jill Foundation has awarded a $20,000 gift to the Women Mobilizing for Morehouse initiative. Women Mobilizing for Morehouse is currently raising funds to support the construction of the new 58,000-square-foot Campus Center, a hub for innovation, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and community that will enhance the student experience for rising Morehouse Men.                      

"This generous $20,000 gift from Jack and Jill of America, Inc. advances our mission to fuel innovation and expand opportunities for Morehouse College students,” said First Lady Cynthia Bowman, who launched the Women Mobilizing for Morehouse initiative in February 2026. “As Jack and Jill parents and members, we share the organization’s dedication to nurturing, mentoring, and developing students to excel in college and beyond. We appreciate Jack and Jill’s partnership and investment in Morehouse as a leader among HBCUs.”

Darlene McGhee Whittington, the 28th National President and immediate past president of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. said the $20,000 contribution reflects the organization’s “unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities and supporting the next generation of leaders as they pursue their educational journeys.”

This gift propels fundraising for the Women Mobilizing for Morehouse initiative beyond the halfway mark of its $1 million inaugural goal. The initiative is rallying women who believe in the Morehouse Mission and the potential of Morehouse students, from Morehouse mothers, spouses, and mentors to faculty, staff, donors and advocates, to support the Campus Center.

“As both a former Jack and Jill parent and a former Morehouse parent, this investment is especially meaningful to me,” said Adrienne Willis, National Chair of Women Mobilizing for Morehouse. “Jack and Jill of America and Women Mobilizing for Morehouse share a deep commitment to nurturing young people and cultivating the next generation of global leaders.”

Morehouse College and Jack and Jill of America have been partnering together since 2021 to provide outstanding high school juniors and seniors with access to leadership development and collegiate academic enrichment opportunities. The Jacks in the House annual week-long residential program introduces the teens to the Morehouse experience, equipping them with the confidence, values, and academic foundation to thrive in college.

In July, Morehouse hosted its largest cohort yet of 64 participants from across the nation.

Jacks in the House has become a pipeline for enrollment at Morehouse. Of the 165 students who identified as Jack and Jill members enrolled for Fall Semester 2026 classes, 70 are new students, 92 are continuing students, and three are transfer students.

“For more than five years, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., has proudly partnered with Morehouse College through its Jacks in the House Program,” Whittington said. “This full-immersion transformative summer experience gives our young men a powerful glimpse of HBCU excellence, leadership and possibility.”

For more information on supporting or partnering with the Women Mobilizing for Morehouse initiative, visit https://bit.ly/4ySODyL