They’re giving back to their alma maters in a major way — and making HBCU history while doing it.

Bishop Kim W. Brown and his wife, Elder Valerie K. Brown, founders of K.W. International Ministries Incorporated, have long been recognized as influential spiritual and community leaders across Virginia. For more than two decades, the couple has overseen a thriving Christian ministry known for youth outreach, leadership development, and large-scale community support. Their work has extended from hosting faith-based leadership conferences to providing essential COVID-19 relief, supporting military families during the holiday season, and mentoring young adults seeking purpose and stability. Outlets such as Essence and NBC News (Essence, NBC News) have highlighted the Browns’ consistent philanthropic impact and leadership within their region.

In addition to ministry work, the couple hosts two Christian television programs focused on faith-centered living, healthy marriage principles, and personal spiritual growth. They are also best-selling authors whose books have been featured in faith-based publications and recognized for their practical guidance on leadership and family life.

Now, the Browns are expanding their legacy into academia — and doing so in a historic fashion. The couple recently announced that they have both been named Rectors at their respective HBCU alma maters, marking a groundbreaking moment in higher education. According to HBCU Times and The Associated Press (HBCU Times, Associated Press), this is believed to be the first time in history that a married couple has simultaneously served as Rectors at two different Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

A Rector is one of the highest-ranking positions within a university’s governance structure. Typically elected by a governing board or academic community, the Rector serves as the ceremonial head of the institution while also chairing the university’s board of visitors or trustees. In this role, the Rector helps guide institutional decision-making, strategic planning, and major university initiatives — responsibilities often highlighted by The Washington Post and Inside Higher Ed (Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed) when covering university leadership.

Dr. Kim Brown has been appointed Rector of Norfolk State University, a school known for its strong academic programs and cultural influence. Meanwhile, Elder Valerie Brown has been named Rector of Virginia State University, another prominent HBCU with a rich legacy of producing leaders in education, science, arts, and public service. Their dual appointments reflect a unique blend of leadership, service, and deep loyalty to the institutions that shaped their early careers and personal development.

Elder Valerie Brown shared the news with the public through a heartfelt post on social media, accompanied by a photo of the couple dressed in full academic regalia. She expressed both gratitude and pride in the opportunity to give back.

“We love our alma maters, and it is a pleasure for both of us to serve and give back to the universities that gave us our start,” she wrote.

Their new roles not only symbolize personal achievement but also underscore a broader narrative celebrated by many HBCU advocates and highlighted in Essence and HBCU Times: when alumni rise to positions of influence, they uplift their institutions, their communities, and the next generation of leaders.

With the Browns stepping into these historic appointments, both Norfolk State and Virginia State gain committed, legacy-driven advocates at the helm — leaders who have already spent decades serving others and are now poised to make an even greater impact in the world of higher education.