For JCSU valedictorian, graduation is a ‘surreal’ outcome

MAYRA PARRILLA GUERRERO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Purity Gumede, right, Johnson C. Smith University's 2025 class valedictorian pose with (from left) salutatorian Elton Mombeshora, commencement speaker Sheryl Underwood and President Valerie Kinloch at Bojangles Colisuem on May 18.

Purity Gumede couldn’t afford college.

A scholarship from Johnson C. Smith University provided a financial and academic lifeline.

Gumede, a native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, graduated Sunday with a degree in computer science and information systems as the class of 2025’s valedictorian at the school’s 152nd commencement. She already has a full-time job lined up in data analytics at Bank of America.  

“It’s a moment that feels surreal,” Gumede said. “JCSU was the one school that gave me a full scholarship. I feel like I just walked through the gates of JCSU four years ago and now it’s coming to an end.”

Bojangles Coliseum was packed with proud family members and supporters, dancing to boots on the ground and jokes from commencement speaker Sheryl Underwood, an Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress and host of “The Talk” on CBS.

“I think I feel a connection [to the university] because this is a very safe and comfortable space for me to be myself and that’s what this is really all about,” Underwood said during a press conference prior to her speech.

“Having a speaker who actually wanted to speak here, wanted to speak to us is pretty commendable,” said Sydney Randall, who graduated with a degree in biology and hoped to hear Underwood’s postgraduate advice on how to navigate the real world.

Underwood and JCSU have previous connections.

The university awarded Underwood the Arch of Triumph Award in 2013 as part of the school’s fundraising gala. Twelve years later, the commencement speaker invitation was a full circle moment.

“I was like ‘Are you sure you’re asking for the same person? Do not mean Sheryl Lee Ralph? Or Sherri Shepherd, perhaps,’” said Underwood, who was awarded an honorary doctorate. “They were like, ‘No, we want you to do it.’ So it is an honor to be the commencement speaker, but really, it’s my pleasure to be here amongst all of these great minds.”

Underwood, a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago, is an education advocate, especially of historically Black colleges and universities. She also has honorary degrees from Voorhees College, South Carolina State University and Benedict College and was elected international grand basileus, or president, of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, in 2008.

“Higher education is not just a defining job or career,” Underwood said. “It’s to learn how to think. It’s to learn how to grow. It’s to learn how to interact with others and then combats all of the negativism.”

And that’s what many graduates at JCSU are leaving with.

“Very exciting day and we’re very proud of what these young people have achieved,” JCSU President Valerie Kinloch said.

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