The month of February is dedicated to celebrating the contributions and success of the black community. The University of Memphis held their annual Black History Month Opening Reception Ceremony Friday night where Shannon A. Brown was awarded the 2025 Authur S. Holmon Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Award Ceremony began the UofM’s month long celebration of Black History Month. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to those who honor Memphians and shown great dedication to the community.
Shannon A. Brown is recognized and highly respected by all those around him. Currently, he serves as the CEO of Action Logics, LLC which is an innovative software solutions company. Brown is deeply involved with a range of institutions such as serving on the board of directors for Cadence bank and Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Brown came from humble beginnings to becoming a highly successful man as he has accomplished many things including making the list of “100 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America”, “Top Executives in Corporate Diversity”, earning multiple FedEx five stars awards, and having a street in Memphis named in his honor “Shannon A. Brown Road".
Many black leaders attended the award ceremony such the first Black Student Association (BSA) President- David Acey, members of the Memphis State Eight, Ms. University of Memphis Reagan Williams, and current BSA President Camiya Shobe-Thomas.
There were several people who proudly paid tribute to Shannon A. Brown including Wille Gregory- Director of Global Memphis Impact, NIKE, Vice President of FedEx Memphis World Hub Crystal Oliver, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of UofM Rene Bustamente.
“Greatness is making others shine”, said Crystal Oliver when referring to many lessons that Brown has taught her. She has worked with him for over 20 years.
Pastor Dr. Keith Norman of First Baptist Church-Broad also paid tribute to Brown. “Be more of a leader who is fighting for something, rather than a leader who is fighting against something” he preached.
Shannon A. Brown prides himself in being a man who looks for the positive in everyone he meets. “Always look for the best in people” he said in his acceptance speech.
The Black History Month Opening Reception is the first event to the month long celebration of Black History Month at the University of Memphis. The Office of Multicultural Affairs at the university coordinate the Black History Month events.
