As we continue our celebration of Black History Month at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), we spoke to Mami Kisner, a long-time PBA board member. Although she was born in Virginia and has lived in many different cities throughout her lifetime, she has been in Palm Beach County for three decades and claims the area as her home. She joined the board when Dr. Donald Warren, PBA’s founding chairman, reached out to her, and she has been involved with the university ever since. Kisner has walked alongside PBA as it has experienced tremendous growth, initially starting her tenure when the institution was still known as Palm Beach College. She says seeing PBA become a university is one of the most gratifying outcomes of her time on the board. To learn more about Mami Kisner, who inspires her, her path to PBA and more, read her Q&A below.
What inspired you to come to PBA?
Dr. Donald Warren, PBA’s founding chairman, actually reached out to me. He was such an inspiring man in the Palm Beach County community, not only with the work that he was doing with PBA, but just through his involvement in the community as a whole. When I first moved to the area with my husband, Dr. Warren called to meet us. He found out I was a former educator (which was one of my careers – I have had about 100), and I think he reached out because he wanted to show that PBA was growing in vision and inclusion. At the time when he reached out to me, there were no people of color on PBA’s board. It was hard to say no to someone who was doing such impactful work for The Lord.
Who inspires you, and how did that person shape you and your life?
First, I want to honor my mother. She was born in 1925. She taught me to love everybody. She embraced everybody; she didn’t care about the color of your skin; she cared about your character. She stressed to me to put God first, then our family, and lastly, she impressed upon us the importance of education. I learned from her that education opens so many doors that allow you to impact people in your life. She taught me to be inclusive, love God, love my family, and always look for an opportunity to help someone.
The second woman who inspires me in Dr. Xernona Clayton. She is 94 years old now and still leading civil rights. She was the right arm to Dr. King, and she was also the first woman of color from the southern United States to host a daily prime talk show. She was instrumental in the development of the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta. I have been blessed to know her, and all of the civil rights leaders, for that matter. She is a phenomenal woman, and she has been an amazing influence on my life over 35 years.
What aspects of PBA’s mission to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly resonate with you the most?
Well, I think all of them resonate with me – but I think if I had to choose one, it would be to serve God boldly. We are supposed to be a light; when people see us, they should automatically know that we are different because we are walking with Christ. I am bold in my faith.
What has been one of the most rewarding aspects of serving on the board at PBA?
When I came on the board, PBA was a college. And I know the difference between how a college is treated versus how a university is treated. So, I think the first really wonderful and rewarding aspect for me was when PBA was recognized as a university. That changed a lot of dynamics with how we were trying to educate. Secondly, the PBA board members are true servants in their faith. They are trying to do whatever they can to help PBA produce servant-minded students so that they can impact our community, our state, and our world. What keeps me excited about being on PBA’s board are the stories I hear about our students – that has been so rewarding.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
I believe the history of all people should be taught throughout the year. We live in a world where there are different cultures, and the more we learn about each other, the better we can make the world. I believe that people need to understand the impact that people of color have made on this community. Even as a woman of color, I am constantly learning something new – just recently, my friend sent me information on Alice H. Parker, a woman of color who created the furnace. I think every nationality should have a time of recognition so that all of us can learn about each other.
