Howard University proudly announces the selection of four exemplary alumni, Nelson L. Adams III, Sunny Sumter, Donald A. Thigpen Jr., and Trustee Christopher J. Tyson, as recipients of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Postgraduate Achievement.

Since 1943, Howard University has honored members of its community who embody its values as exemplars of excellence in truth and service. The awards will be presented during the Charter Day 2025 Dinner, Saturday, March 1, 2025. 

2025 ALUMNI AWARDS FOR DISTINGUISHED POSTGRADUATE ACHIEVEMENT 

In the Field of Medicine
Nelson L. Adams III, M.D., FACOG (B.S. ’74)

Nelson L. Adams III, M.D., a 1974 graduate of Howard University with a degree in zoology, has established himself as a pioneer in the field of medicine and an advocate for eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities. A board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, Adams has dedicated his career to improving maternal and child health, founding the award-winning Maternal Child Health Initiative. 

In addition to his medical practice, Adams has served in leadership roles at North Shore Medical Center and Jackson North Medical Center in Miami, FL. Beyond his clinical contributions, he has left a profound impact on academia and public service, holding trustee positions at Meharry Medical College and Barry University. Adams exemplifies Howard’s motto, “Truth and Service,” through his leadership and unwavering commitment to addressing inequities in healthcare. 

In the Field of Fine Arts
Cheryl “Sunny” Denise Sumter (B.A. ’94)

Sunny Sumter, a celebrated arts leader and 1994 graduate of Howard University with a degree in music business, has made significant contributions to the cultural and artistic landscape as president and CEO of the DC Jazz Festival. Under her leadership, the festival has become a cornerstone of Washington, D.C.’s cultural community, earning the DC Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence. 

An accomplished vocalist and arts advocate, Sumter has performed on national and international stages and served as the host of Jazz Central on the BET network. She has received numerous accolades, including the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Heroes Award and the Sitar Arts Center Visionary Award. Sumter is also a recipient of a Howard University Benny Golson Award, which was created by the Howard University Jazz Ensemble in honor of Golson, an alumnus and jazz master. She has served on boards that champion jazz education and cultural initiatives, furthering Howard University’s rich musical legacy. Additionally, she is a member of Americans for the Arts and the National Academy for Recording Arts and Sciences.

In the Field of Law
Donald A. Thigpen Jr. (J.D. ’74)

Donald A. Thigpen Jr., Esq., a graduate of Howard University School of Law in 1974, has left an indelible mark on the legal profession and public service. He followed the path of his father, who earned a D.D.S. degree in 1944. As a trailblazing attorney, Thigpen held numerous leadership roles in the District of Columbia government, including senior counsel in the Office of the Attorney General. His notable contributions include overseeing the legal framework for the development of the Capital One Arena and merging mental health services in D.C.  He also played key roles in the mental health system, juvenile prosecution, civil litigation, legislation, and government contracts.

Throughout his career, Thigpen has been a champion of mentorship and advocacy within the legal community. As president of the Washington Bar Association, he founded divisions to empower young lawyers and African American judges. His legacy includes countless awards, including induction into the National Bar Association Hall of Fame and the creation of an annual scholarship in his name by the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Maryland. Thigpen also co-founded Bison on the Vineyard and was recognized as a Champion of Change in 2019 and for uniting Howard graduates to uplift the institution in 2024.

In the Field of Law and Servant Leadership
Trustee Christopher J. Tyson (B.Arch. ’98)

Christopher J. Tyson is the president of the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), where he leads efforts to promote affordable homeownership, stabilize neighborhoods, build community wealth, and advance racial equity. Before joining NCST, he served as the Newman Trowbridge Distinguished Professor of Law at the LSU Law Center. As a tenured member of the law center faculty for more than a decade, Tyson participated in various aspects of the law center’s administration, including serving on the school’s executive, admissions, appointments, educational policies, and diversity committees. As a noted scholar in local government law, his academic work has been featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times and the Harvard Journal on Racial & Ethnic Justice. He also served as president and CEO of Build Baton Rouge, leading urban redevelopment projects that secured over $50 million in grant funding to revitalize the city’s most disinvested neighborhoods.

In addition, Tyson has made significant contributions to public service and community engagement. In 2015, he was the Louisiana State Democratic Party nominee for Secretary of State, earning the largest number of votes for a Black candidate in the state’s history at the time. He has co-chaired mayoral transition efforts, served on various boards, and received prestigious honors such as LSU’s Brij Mohan Distinguished Professor Award and induction into the University Laboratory School’s Alumni Hall of Distinction. In addition to earning his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Howard University, he earned a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a juris doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center. He's also been a member of Howard University's Board of Trustees since 2022. 

To purchase tickets, or for more information on Charter Day 2025, visit the Charter Day website.