FAMU School of Business and Industry Adds Three New Names to the SBI Big Board

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Business and Industry (SBI) added the names of three alumni to its prestigious Big Board in a ceremony during the 2024 Homecoming week celebrations last week. The new Big Board inductees are Executive Vice President, Communications for FOX Sports Terri Hines, attorney Hilliard “Hill” Moore, and Fearless Fund co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Arian Simone.

Alumnus Keon Hardemon discusses the joys during the SBI Big Board Celebration at Florida A&M University on Nov. 1, 2024. Photo by AJ Shorter for FAMU.

 

Associate SBI Dean Bobby Davis, Ph.D., acknowledged SBI’s 50th anniversary and the vision of founding dean the late Sybil Collins Mobley, who established the Big Board 41 years ago.

“We are thankful to our corporate partners, alumni, and friends for supporting Dean Mobley’s vision and our SBI students. Your donations are an investment in the future, an investment in educating and empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and global citizens,” Davis told the gathering. “With the three remaining plaques waiting to be installed, we will have 133 SBI Big Board plaques representing at least $13.3 million endowed for SBI student scholarships.”

Every plaque on the SBI Big Board represents at least $100,000 endowed for SBI student scholarships. Mobley started the SBI Big Board with the first endowed $100,000 from the General Motors Foundation in 1983.

Alumna Terri Hines addresses the crowd during the SBI Big Board Celebration at Florida A&M University on Nov. 1, 2024. Photo by AJ Shorter for FAMU.

 

Hines said being added to the Big Board reflects her commitment to giving back to an institution that enabled her to succeed.

“I am truly blessed, and I firmly believe in the power of paying forward and so I will never stop giving to this university that gave so much to me. When I landed here in 1985, there were only corporate names on the Big Board, but no individuals recognized. I never thought that it was something attainable actually until Michael Robinson had his name put up on the board,” Hines said. “I give from my heart. I love young people, and if there's an opportunity for me to give a young person an opportunity to have an education at this institution, I’m going to keep doing that year after year.”

Simone recalled the challenge of trying to create a venture capital fund by black women for black women, and the joy of being able to give back to the university that helped shape her.

“When I got the letter that said I would have an Arian Simone Fearless Fund Endowed Scholarship fund for those looking to apply to SBI, that just made me so proud,” Simone said. “I've achieved many things in my life, but this definitely takes the cake.”

The SBI administrators also recognized other alumni and a corporation, Eli Lilly, who already have plaques on the Big Board. William and Victoria Lacey were recognized for their $100,000 donation, while Miami-Dade Commissioner Keon Hardemon was acknowledged for his second $100,000 to SBI.

Alumnus Keon Hardemon discusses the joys during the SBI Big Board Celebration at Florida A&M University on Nov. 1, 2024. Photo by AJ Shorter for FAMU.

 

Hardemon, who earned his bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration from SBI, said his generosity is born out of a desire to give back.

“I wanted to give what I didn’t have,” Hardemon said. “It gives me great pleasure to do this, and I will continue doing this as much as I can.”

 

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