Jackson, TN — Lane College President Donald W. Comer joined a distinguished lineup of executives, innovators, and thought leaders at the 2025 Black Enterprise XCEL Summit for Men, held October 15–17 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida.
The nationally recognized summit, themed around leadership, legacy, and generational wealth, brought together Black men from across the nation to engage in candid dialogue, skill-building workshops, and networking experiences designed to elevate excellence and unlock potential. Hosted by Black Enterprise, the XCEL Summit is widely celebrated as the nation’s premier gathering for equipping Black men “with the tools to thrive at every level of leadership.” (blackenterprise.com/xcel-summit-for-men-2025)
President Comer was featured on a panel exploring “Legacy Leadership and the Power of Elevating Others.” Drawing from his experiences as both a corporate leader and college president, he emphasized the enduring responsibility to mentor, open doors, and empower future generations to lead boldly.
“True leadership isn’t about climbing alone, it’s about ensuring someone else’s ladder is secure before you take the next step,” Comer shared during the session. “At Lane College, we’re shaping leaders who understand that greatness is never solitary.”
His presence among national leaders underscored Lane College’s expanding voice in shaping conversations around leadership, opportunity, and institutional excellence within the Black community.
Accompanying President Comer were two Lane College students, Kevon Jordan and Rodriquez Murphy, along with interns and recent Lane graduates, Larry Joe Miller and Keith Jordan, each of whom experienced firsthand the summit’s transformative power.
- Kevon Jordan reflected, “Being in the room with powerful, successful Black men made the possibilities for my future feel real. It was motivation and mentorship in the same moment.”
- Rodriquez Murphy shared, “I learned that leadership isn’t just about where you want to go, it’s about who you take with you.”
- Larry Joe Miller noted, “The discussions on civic engagement reminded me that leadership starts at home, in how we serve, speak, and show up.”
- Keith Jordan added, “One coach told me, ‘Treat your career like a portfolio — diversify your value and invest in people.’ That advice changed how I think about success.”
Their participation reflected Lane’s dedication to experiential learning and student empowerment, giving them access to professional networks and insights that will inform both their education and future careers. Lane College’s visible presence at the XCEL Summit hints at a promising partnership between higher education and Black enterprise, where shared missions around leadership, mentorship, and economic mobility intersect.
Next month Lane is sending two teams to participate in the 2025 Black Enterprise Smart HBCU Hackathon. Collaborations such as this could lead to expanded pipelines for internships, corporate mentorships, and platforms for Lane students to engage with industry leaders shaping the global economy.
“When institutions like Lane College meet organizations like Black Enterprise on the same stage,” Comer said, “it signals a powerful truth, that the future of Black excellence is both educated and intentional.”
The Lane College delegation returned to Jackson inspired, informed, and ready to ignite new possibilities across campus. Their experience at the XCEL Summit represents more than an event, it’s a movement toward empowering the next generation of leaders who will embody Lane’s enduring motto, Esse Non Videri,To Be, and Not to Seem. Because at Lane College, we don’t just prepare students for success, we prepare them to set the standard.
(PHOTO: Lane College President Dr. Donald W. Comer, center, at 2025 Black Enterprise XCEL Summit in Orlando)
