Johnson C. Smith University President Clarence Armbrister.

Charlotte is a special place, with its big-city goals, small-town feel and a diverse community doing our best to create a better future for generations to come.

Next month, our Queen City will serve as a global showcase to golf’s most celebrated international event – the Presidents Cup. In support of the PGA Tour’s commitment to highlighting the unique offerings of the communities where they play, we have helped in the creation of two events – the Charlie Sifford Centennial Cup and the Charlie Sifford Leadership Summit – in recognition of efforts to make Charlotte a standard bearer for cities seeking racial equity and upward mobility.

These efforts are symbolic of Charlie Sifford’s contributions to society. Dr. Sifford was a native son of our city, born in Charlotte a century ago. He was a champion for greater equity and inclusion in golf, becoming the first African American golfer to earn his PGA Tour card.

The Charlie Sifford Centennial Cup will be a first-of-its-kind event during the Presidents Cup’s media day, bringing together six of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities programs in the country to compete at Quail Hollow Club on August 29. I am honored to announce that Johnson C. Smith University will serve as host school for this incredible event, and I know coach William Watkins will have our tremendous student-athletes ready to compete and serve as gracious hosts to the other five institutions – Howard University, Florida A&M University, Alabama State University, Texas Southern University and Livingstone College, just up the road in Salisbury.

Although Dr. Sifford passed away in 2015, his legacy continues to inspire generations – including me, who took up golf at my father’s urging when I was 11 years old – leading us to mark the centennial year (2022) of his birth with these unique opportunities.

As part of these efforts to build greater awareness of the historic contributions of African Americans to not only the sport of golf, but also to the betterment of communities, we are convening a thought leadership summit in Dr. Sifford’s name to share best practices within the corporate space and to facilitate discussions with HBCU leadership.

Few institutions have been greater stewards and contributors to the betterment of our nation than those whose foundations are rooted in access and opportunity. We are eager to ensure these priorities are captured during the Leadership Summit, being held the week of the Presidents Cup. During this session, HBCU leaders and representatives from Bridgestone, Citi, Cognizant and Nucor will participate in a roundtable discussion about the tremendous resource HBCUs are and how partnerships are integral to their success.

Now more than ever, these institutions of higher education we hold so dear are leading DE&I discussions, highlighting the intersection of sport and corporate America, and the integral role we all play in the growth and success of those efforts.

All of these efforts are a clear reminder that while Charlotte has become an epicenter for major sporting, business and cultural events, it remains a city inspired by community. This inspiration continued to grow last November, when Mayor Vi Lyles announced her $250 million Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative, designed to bridge the digital divide; invest in Charlotte’s six corridors of opportunity; transform Johnson C. Smith University into a top-10 HBCU; and ensure corporations commit to equity by advancing Black and Brown workers to executive levels.

After making that announcement right here at our university, it’s amazing to think that nine months later, the unwavering desire to create support, awareness and financial commitment to our community has come from many voices – not the least of which is the PGA Tour and the Presidents Cup. While the Sifford Centennial Cup and Sifford Leadership Summit are not open to the public due to event preparation, construction, and limited capacity at both venues, I would ask that all of you take great pride in representing a community that is helping to create discussion, change and a better landscape for so many of our children and future generations.

During the week of September 20, the eyes of the world will be on Charlotte through the thrilling competition that is the Presidents Cup. And in a way, it’s only appropriate that an event with a global reach has made sure it has a local feel to it, and more importantly, a local impact.

“If you try hard enough, anything can happen,” Charlie Sifford famously said after his breakthrough win at the 1967 Greater Hartford Open. Those eight words summarize so much in this world, delivering the reality that anything worth fighting for might in fact take time and effort. On behalf of Johnson C. Smith University, it’s an honor to be associated with the Presidents Cup, and to see firsthand the impact golf can have on our city.  My father would be so proud!

Clarence D. Armbrister is president of Johnson C. Smith University.

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