The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Business has officially named the Shelron Wilson Robinson & Gerald Robinson Innovation Lab, a space designed to prepare students for the challenges of modern business through hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.
The Innovation Lab will also serve as a resource for local businesses, corporations and nonprofits, who can partner with students to receive project support and execution while contributing to the development of future business leaders.
The lab was made possible through a $500,000 contribution from Shelron Wilson Robinson ‘79, and her husband, Gerald Robinson, a retired Microsoft executive. Their generosity has transformed a vision into reality, creating an environment where students gain the skills, confidence and opportunities to compete and lead in today’s marketplace.
The launch was marked by an intimate celebration filled with friends, family, faculty, staff and School of Business alumni. Attendees explored the lab’s flexible design, advanced technology, and collaborative spaces, all built to connect classroom theory with applied experience.
“The Innovation Lab represents exactly what we want for our students at NCCU to have opportunities that prepare them for meaningful careers,” said Anthony Nelson, Ph.D., dean of the School of Business. “By giving all university students, a space to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world challenges, we not only keep them engaged, but also ensure they leave here ready to lead. This lab is about more than innovation; it is about equipping our students to persist, to graduate and to thrive well beyond our campus.”
For Shelron Robinson, the idea of supporting the lab began during her visit to campus in February 2024 for the School of Business ribbon cutting.
“I was overwhelmed by how beautiful the building was,” she said. “I thought, I’d really like to do that. I’d like to be a part of that. And that has been a vision of mine since that time. When I shared it with Gerald, his exact words were, ‘Why does this have to be a vision? Why don’t we make it a reality?’”
Gerald Robinson emphasized the importance of opportunity and the lab’s role in preparing students for both success and setbacks.
“We both had opportunities in life, sometimes ones we didn’t even recognize at the time. That’s why this is so important, to give students a place where they can succeed, but also where they can fail in an environment that encourages them to turn failure into success,” he said.
The Robinsons’ gift reflects their shared belief that those who have been given much have a responsibility to give back. Their vision for the lab is rooted in closing digital divides, fostering innovation, and ensuring that NCCU students graduate ready to create solutions for communities and industries alike.
“The Shelron Wilson Robinson and Gerald Robinson Innovation Lab reflects the very heart of NCCU’s strategic plan, Soaring to New Heights: Vision 2030. By giving students access to high-impact, applied learning experiences, it strengthens academic excellence while preparing our Eagles for meaningful careers,” said Ontario Wooden, Ph.D., provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Just as importantly, it extends our commitment to innovation and community impact, ensuring that NCCU remains a leader in developing solutions that uplift both our students and the communities we serve.”
Shelron Wilson Robinson and Gerald Robinson’s generosity demonstrates the power of philanthropy to transform opportunities for our students,” said Susan Hester, vice chancellor of institutional advancement. “Their investment in the Innovation Lab not only enhances the educational experience for today’s Eagles but also ensures that future Eagles will have the tools and resources to thrive. This gift sets a new standard for transformational giving at the School of Business.”