UNDERGRADUATE SPOTLIGHT
noting that he “carried his forefathers and mothers on his shoulders” as the Golden Bulls celebrated a long-awaited title. For Bates, the phrase is not a rhetorical flourish; it reflects a family and institu- tional lineage that stretches back generations through the university’s history.
voter. Bates articulated why democracy and representa- tion matter to him and his peers. Local coverage noted his presence, and JCSU amplified the moment on its social media platforms, thanking him for represent- ing the school in front of a national audience. BRIDGING CAMPUS AND CONGRESS Even as he was finding his voice on the campaign trail, Bates was working toward another goal: gaining first- hand experience inside the federal legislative process. In 2025, he secured a position as a congressional intern in the U.S. House of Representatives, a role that placed him at the center of policy discussions he had previously only encoun- tered in textbooks and campus forums. On his professional profile, Bates describes himself as “a driven political science student and student leader passionate about bridging the gap between policy and community impact.” His internship aligned directly with that mission. Situated within the House, he assisted staff with research, constituent communication, and policy tracking, and gained expo- sure to hearings, briefings,
Bates on Capitol Hill with Brother Minority Speaker of the House, Hakim Jeffries (D-NY).
LEADERSHIP IN THE BOND
Bates’ leadership extends beyond campus govern- ment and into the Black Greek-letter community. He was initiated into the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., in Fall 2023, joining a chapter whose history at JCSU dates back nearly a century. Within a short time, he rose to serve as Polemarch, while also recognized by advisors with a 2025 Advisors Award for his work in strengthening pro- gramming, academic focus, and community service. In social media spotlights, the chapter and university have emphasized not just his titles but his work ethic and approach to service. Bates is frequently seen at campus events, mentoring younger students, sup- porting athletic programs, assisting university staff, or representing the institution at civic functions.
“ BATES IS A RISING SENIOR AND POLITICAL SCIENCE SCHOLAR FROM CHARLOTTE, NC, STUDYING AT JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY ...”
In November 2024, as the Harris-Walz presidential campaign swung through North Carolina, Bates was selected to introduce Vice President Harris at a cam- paign rally at PNC Music Pavilion. If campus life pro- vided the training ground, the rally in Charlotte pro- vided access to the national stage. The event featured a slate of high-profile
speakers and performers, from elected officials to musicians, yet the program reserved a prominent role for a local HBCU student to speak directly to the crowd before Vice President Harris took the stage. It meant more than a few minutes at the microphone; it was a chance to speak as a young Black man, an HBCU student, and a first-time
WINTER 2025-2026 ♦ THE JOURNAL 15
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