The only graduate of Alabama State University to own several Chick-Fil-A franchises inspired students at his alma mater to pursue excellence, drop the excuses, a call to action and work hard during the 125th Founders’ Day Convocation keynote address Feb. 7.

Held in the Dunn-Oliver Acadome at 10 a.m. Brandon Hurst, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a 2010 alumnus, highlighted his entrepreneurial beginnings, the impact the university has had on his life, while recognizing the vision and hard work of the Marion Nine, the founders of Alabama State University and the first board of trustees.

Hurst, who served as co-head drum major for the Mighty Marching Hornet band while attending the university, learned that you have to be able to pay your dues.

“See, before you can eat, before you can reap the rewards before you can claim success, you have to be able to put in the work,” he said. “Before you get out here and you graduate, put in the late nights of studying and make sure that you are rising early in the morning for preparation.  Before you can land that dream job make sure that you build your skills, get out here and intern, make sure that you can prove it to yourself.”

He found out that those who use excuses will never accomplish anything. From this point, Hurst emphasized all the times he did not want to do or go somewhere, he thought about excuses.

“Excuses were the tools that built bridges that lead to nowhere,” Hurst said.  “Excuses, those who use them, seldom accomplish anything … Excuses will not work 99 and a half will not do.  You got to be able to put in the work.  The Marion Nine operated in the spirit of excellence, so should you.”

Hurst was introduced to the Kappa Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc. and was a former vice president of membership.

“We have this profound tagline, shaping people, shaping business.” “I began to walk those halls of COBA and I gained and matriculated through the school to learn the skills that help shape me,” Hurst said.  “When I think about being the first to open Baltimore City’s first downtown Chick-fil-A, I think back to my time at Alabama State University shaping people, shaping business,” Hurst said.

Hurst vocalized that when he thinks about shaping the lives of individuals he thinks of young leaders. Hurst encouraged the students to learn how to lean into their own strength.

“Learn how to find strength in your pain and seek purpose in your grief,” he said. He encourages students to have the courage to keep going and to know excellence doesn’t mean that life will always be easy.

“It doesn’t mean that you won’t fail. What it means is that when life looks you down and it knocks you down, rise up,” Hurst said.

“When the world tries to tell you that you’re not good enough because of the color of your skin, your background and your circumstances, you better hold your head up high and roll your shoulders back and tell them, I am of excellence,” Hurst said. “I am a product of Alabama State University. The challenges that you face are only temporary but the legacy you build will always last forever,” Hurst motivated.

The program began by President Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ed.D., recognizing the Marion Nine and all of the presidents that have led the university since its founding.  Cromwell Handy, director of Alumni Affairs, recognized Ora Jackson, who won the 2025 Spirit of Marion Award and Vicky Renee Thomas, who won the 2025 Spirit of Tullibody Award.

This year, the university introduced a new honor, the Gold Standard Award, with the inaugural recipient being Howard O. Robinson, Ph.D., Community Stewardship Award was presented to the First Baptist Church of Greater Washington Park.

The convocation also featured performances from the University Choir and the BFA Dancers, adding a celebratory atmosphere to the occasion. As students, faculty and alumni reflected on the words of Hurst, the message was clear, “before you can go out here and make an impact in this world, you have to be able to endure the pressure, the failures, and the setbacks that refine you.”