N.C. A&T to Kick Off Third Town & Gown Celebration “An Evening with Deborah Cox”

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 31, 2025) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will kick off its third Town & Gown Celebration with “An Evening with Deborah Cox” on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m. in the Paul Robeson Theatre as it welcomes Grammy-nominated R&B songstress and Broadway actor Deborah Cox.

During the event, Cox will take center stage to share her journey through the music industry and Broadway, offering a look at the artistry that has shaped her career. Moderated by alumna Crystal W. Boyce ’07 ’15, associate vice chancellor for Alumni Relations, the conversation will explore the challenges and rewards Cox has faced. This event celebrates the arts and inspires attendees looking to deepen their passion, expand their knowledge and pursue a career in the industry.

N.C. A&T’s Town & Gown celebration provides a space for distinguished guests, business leaders, elected officials and community members to celebrate the arts, and the relationship between the university and the surrounding Piedmont Triad community, which A&T has served for more than 130 years.

Cox’s impact spans multiple areas of the entertainment industry, from chart-topping hits to critically acclaimed stage performances. With six top 20 Billboard R&B singles and 13 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart, she has carved out a legacy as a powerhouse vocalist. Her sophomore album produced two No. 1 R&B songs, including “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” which held the top spot for 14 weeks — the longest in history at the time — and “We Can’t Be Friends.”

Beyond her success in music, Cox has dedicated herself to social justice initiatives and received the Black Music Honors’ Entertainer Icon Award in 2020, recognizing her 25-year career. Her acting résumé includes standout performances in Netflix’s “First Wives Club” and HBO Max’s Emmy-nominated “Station Eleven.” On Broadway, she recently wrapped her tenure starring as Glinda and co-producing the revival of “The Wiz.”

Cox will also be the guest of honor at a private celebratory dinner Friday, April 25, concluding with a performance of “The Wiz” by A&T theatre students, bringing Broadway’s magic to the university stage.