Willie E. Gary
|
Posted By: Will Moss on October 13, 2005 PROFESSION: High Profile Trial Attorney HBCU: North Carolina Central University DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University (NCCU) alumnus Attorney Willie E. Gary donated $100,000 recently to NCCU during the halftime festivities at the 2005 "Willie E. Gary Triangle Classic" football game to fund scholarships at the university's School of Law. "People ask me why come back to North Carolina," said Gary, who also had sons to graduate from NCCU and Shaw University. "North Carolina Central University and Shaw University took a chance on me, a farm boy, and gave me an opportunity when others did not think I was good enough. Now, I have lawyers from Harvard, Yale and Princeton working for me and I sign their paychecks." When asked about his experience at NCCU's School of Law, Gary said, "It was awesome; it was the best years of my life." Founded in 1939 to provide an opportunity for a legal education for African Americans, today, with a student body of approximately 400, the School of Law is one of the more diverse student bodies in the nation. "Willie Gary's contribution will significantly expand our ability to attract top students to our law school by offering them scholarships," said Attorney Pierce, dean of NCCU's School of Law. "Law schools have become quite competitive and in order to compete for the top students you must be able to extend full scholarships. In addition, there are many deserving individuals that qualify for law school, yet do not have the finances necessary to pay for school. Willie Gary has expanded our ability to assist those students." During the presentation, Gary was presented with a key to the city from Durham Mayor William "Bill" Bell and Mayor Pro Tempore of Raleigh James West. Gary also donated $100,000 to Shaw University. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Shaw and his juris doctorate from NCCU in 1974. "This is not the first time my father has given a lot of money to NCCU," said Kenneth Gary, Gary's oldest son, president & CEO of The Gary Foundation and Gary Enterprises, the family's real estate management company. "My brother, Sekou, and Iare both alumni of NCCU." Sekou is a member of the Florida Bar and recently opened his own law practice, Gary Legal Group, LLC, in Miami, Florida. Gary's two other sons, Ali, editor and chief of "Update," the law firm's newsletter, and Kobie, are graduates of Shaw. At halftime, the score was NCCU 31 and Shaw 10. When asked which team was he cheering for to win, Gary stated that he was pulling for both teams. However, North Carolina Central University captured a 37-31 victory over Shaw University. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Will Moss
Founder & CEO, HBCU CONNECT, LLC Hampton University class of 1995 Member Since June 1999 |
More From This Author
Latest Famous HBCU Alumni
 |
Jimmy Smith - Jackson StatePride of the Jaguars: Jimmy Smith
New Pride of the Jaguars inductee Jimmy Smith sits with Brian Sexton and reflects on his career, his struggles and his life today.
https://www.jaguars.com/video/pri ...more
How May I Help You NC • 53 Views • February 10th, 2026 |
 |
"We Are Still Fighting": Beatty Inspires Columbus to Continue Dr. King's Legacy at Annual MLK EventIn celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Congresswoman Beatty joined the City of Columbus' Department of Neighborhoods Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Program, in the spirit of Dr. Ki ...more
How May I Help You NC • 122 Views • January 25th, 2026 |
 |
MEET DRE MARTIN WHO IS SEATS BY DRE?HBCU NIGHT
From Martin’s undergraduate experience at Grambling State University, to his Executive MBA studies at Howard University, he has started his own movement to raise awareness for HBCUs, by ...more
How May I Help You NC • 200 Views • January 2nd, 2026 |
 |
Ben Espy: Trailblazing lawyer and leader in ColumbusInspiration is near-)
A state senator a man who graduated from Howard University👨🏾🎓His works live on through members of our world-
He is a father a husband a child ...more
How May I Help You NC • 190 Views • November 11th, 2025 |
 |
Mama Goose® Takes Flight as America’s Most Photographed Airport Fashion Icon Since 2019Before Bridgerton swept us into ballrooms and scandal, there was Mama Goose®— transforming airports into fashion runways with her signature style and over 100 custom-made couture looks.
One of the ...more
Frederick Roberts • 571 Views • August 8th, 2025 |
Popular Famous HBCU Alumni
 |
Della Miles takes Michelle Obama to the stage in "Obama the Musical"When Della Miles was a student at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, everyone new she would be a brighter star one day having been selected Miss PVAMU and 4th Runner-up to Miss Texas/America 1984. ...more
Frederick Roberts • 88,678 Views • April 11th, 2010 |
 |
Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey, the multi media mogul, has garnered international appeal for her talk show. As the first Black woman billionaire in world history, Winfrey has overtaken EBay CEO, Meg Whitman, as the ri ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 37,184 Views • September 30th, 2005 |
 |
Kerry D. ChandlerKerry D. Chandler, a San Diego, CA native, is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at the National Basketball Association responsible for leading the league's global human resources strateg ...more
Ryan Rogers • 34,003 Views • May 3rd, 2011 |
 |
Rick Ross - Yep Another HBCU AlumnusWilliam Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group. He was born in Coahoma County, M ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 31,955 Views • September 1st, 2010 |
