The Power of Realized Potential At Lane College: An Interview with Ms. Ebony Lee

Local & National News | April 22, 2026 | 4:50 p.m. CDT

Written by: Gilbert Barnes Carter III

I recall the previous motto for the Lane College Dragons in Jackson, Tennessee: "The Power of Potential." I have always described it as a somewhat modest one. The fact of the matter is that every Historic Black College and University (HBCU) in this country was established not just out of necessity, but also out of realized potential. Realized potential was converted to power for educational advancement and self-determination.

"At stake is the nation's Black colleges, public and private. If Black people have moved forth in position of note, part of the credit can go to Black colleges; if Black people have moved politically and economically, credit a major segment of the undergirding force to Black colleges; if there are Black teachers, Black lawyers, Black doctors - credit a part of their being of the Black college."

Dr. Thelma T. Daley

The faculty and students at the private, liberal arts college, which was founded in 1882 by Bishop Isaac Lane, are now in their era of "The Next Level of Excellence" under the steady leadership of President Dr. Donald W. Comer. Ms. Ebony Lee, an ambitious junior with a major concentration in Biology (Pre-Medicine) and a minor concentration in Chemistry, exemplifies how Lanites are heeding the call to perform at that next level with distinction.

1. Describe how rigorous the Marian B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship Award selection process was.

"The selection process for the American Society for Biochemistry and Moleuclar Biology (ASBMB) Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship Award was extraordinarily rigorous and nationally competitive. ASBMB is an international scientific society with more than 12,000 members, and its annual meeting brings together thousands of scientists, trainees, and undergraduate researchers. From a national applicant pool, only 10 undergraduate students are selected annually for this distinction."

"What makes the honor especially meaningful is that I was not only selected as one of those ten scholars, but I became the first HBCU student in the history of the award to receive the distinction. That recognition affirmed my research, leadership, and scientific promise, while also highlighting the excellence cultivated at historically Black colleges and universities."

"To me, the award represents more than recognition—it symbolizes barrier-breaking, access, and the realization of what HBCU students can contribute at the highest levels of science."

"What makes the honor especially meaningful is that I was not only selected as one of those ten scholars, but I became the first HBCU student in the history of the award to receive the distinction."

Ms. Ebony Lee

2. I attended the QEM Network Research HEROES series webinar entitled "Advancing Public Health Leadership Through STEM: Building the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders" on April 21. The following objectives were listed by Dr. Evonne Amaka Nwankwo during the presentation.

(a.) "Understand the role of STEM in public health leadership..."

(b.) "Bridge Data to Decision Making..."

(c.) "Review Institutional Pathways..."

(d.) "Consider Actionable Strategies..."

How can Lane College be designated as a Level One (I) research HBCU / Minority Serving Institution (MSI) for the advancement of AI and STEM research leadership in the future?

"I believe Lane College can continue positioning itself as a research-driven HBCU by expanding undergraduate research infrastructure, deepening partnerships with major research institutions, and investing in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, computational biology, and biomedical data science."

"As a student researcher, I have witnessed how transformative access to mentorship and funded research can be. Increasing opportunities for grant-supported research, strengthening faculty-student collaborations, and developing pipelines into graduate and professional training can elevate Lane’s research footprint nationally."

"I also believe HBCUs have a unique opportunity to lead in ethical and equitable AI applications in healthcare, public health, and scientific discovery. Lane can help prepare not only diverse STEM talent, but future innovators who shape the direction of those fields."

"Increasing opportunities for grant-supported research, strengthening faculty-student collaborations, and developing pipelines into graduate and professional training can elevate Lane’s research footprint nationally."

Ms. Ebony Lee

3. I know that you intend to own a group of hospitals and serve as an pediatric oncologist. How will you define your legacy more as an aspiring physician-scientist?

"I hope my legacy is defined by building institutions that outlive me."

"While I aspire to become a pediatric oncologist and physician-scientist, I also envision helping to develop a network of hospitals—and potentially a chain of pharmacies—designed to improve access, quality care, and health outcomes in historically underserved communities."

"I want my work to sit at the intersection of medicine, discovery, and equity—where research informs treatment, treatment reaches those often overlooked, and innovation serves humanity."

"If I define legacy at all, I hope it is this. I helped expand both scientific possibility and healthcare access for generations that follow."

"If I define legacy at all, I hope it is this. I helped expand both scientific possibility and healthcare access for generations that follow."

Ms. Ebony Lee

4. You have a superb list of accolades as a rising senior. The following are only a few - American Red Cross HBCU Ambassador; Lane College 2026 President's Award - Spring Semester; United Negro College Fund (UNCF) 2025-2026 Student Ambassador. Which additional accolades have you earned? Which accolades do you intend to earn in the future?

"Beyond those you mentioned, I've been honored to be named a 'My HBCU Matters Scholar'; be inducted into the Lane College Honors College; receive Dean's List distinction; and compete nationally as an undergraduate research competitor during previous Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists and American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meetings."

"I've also had the great privilege of completing both National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) funded summer research work. Those experiences are pivotal for how I have shaped my development as a young scientist."

"Looking ahead, I hope future accolades reflect not simply personal achievement, but meaningful impact—through physician-scientist training, groundbreaking cancer research, and innovations that improve outcomes for children and underserved communities. Ultimately, I hope the greatest honors I earn are measured not by titles, but by lives changed."

"Ultimately, I hope the greatest honors I earn are measured not by titles, but by lives changed."

Ms. Ebony Lee

Photo Credits:

Cover Photo by: Ms. Ebony Lee

Body Photo by: Ms. Ebony Lee

Gilbert Barnes Carter III is a Memphis-based author, child welfare advocate, community organizer, emerging farmer, gardener, journalist, and social justice advocate. He began his social justice advocacy and work by serving as a Shelby County Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Board volunteer in 2005. He has worked since then to effectuate change for low-wage, immigrant, and migrant workers as a Temporary Workers Campaign Manager with Workers Interfaith Network; an advocate for Teamsters Local 667 sanitation workers; and a community / field organizer to uphold blight reduction, efficient public mass transit, environmental justice, food access, food justice, food security, narrative change, and public safety.