( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) Entertainment Mogul Brings Real-World Business and Brand Strategy to the Classroom at PVAMU
ENSPIRE Contributor: Kirah Smith
Photo Credit: Carol Rose/Unique Nicole/Getty Images/David J. Phillip/Prairie View A&M University
Mathew Knowles, father of global music icon Beyoncé and a renowned figure in the entertainment industry, is bringing his decades of experience to the world of higher education. He has been appointed as the inaugural Presidential Executive-in-Residence at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), a historic HBCU in Texas. This groundbreaking role is part of a visionary initiative to bridge academic learning with real-world business acumen and creative entrepreneurship.
Starting in Fall 2025 and continuing through Spring 2026, Knowles will lead four masterclasses — two per semester — designed to equip students with practical skills in branding, storytelling, and business development. The curriculum includes forward-thinking courses such as “From Solopreneur to Entrepreneur” and “Strategic Visibility: Brand, Business & Narrative Power.” These classes are being offered through a partnership with PVAMU’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Department of Languages and Communication.
Photo by Carol Rose (Getty Images)
In a statement, Knowles shared his excitement about the opportunity:
“I am proud to be working with Prairie View A&M University as their Presidential Executive-in-Residence…There is an opportunity for us all to inspire the next generation to take their economic prosperity into their own hands.”
Beyond student instruction, Knowles will also host two faculty development workshops focused on integrating entrepreneurial thinking and media innovation into the classroom. These workshops are designed to empower professors with tools and strategies to bring real-world insight into their teaching, enhancing the overall learning experience for students. PVAMU described the initiative as an opportunity to “redefine what student and faculty engagement looks like.”
Photo by Unique Golden (Getty Images)
Knowles’s appointment adds another chapter to the Knowles family’s ongoing legacy of HBCU support. Beyoncé notably paid tribute to Black college culture during her legendary 2018 Coachella performance, and the family has made significant donations to several HBCUs, including Texas Southern University. Now, Mathew Knowles is not just advocating from the sidelines — he’s stepping directly into the academic space to lead and teach.
Knowles brings an impressive résumé to his new role. He’s best known for managing Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé’s early career, helping launch one of the most successful girl groups in history. Beyond the music industry, he has overseen over $100 million in business exits and collaborated with global brands like Samsung, L’Oréal, and Pepsi.
Photo by David J. Phillip
An accomplished speaker and author, Knowles wrote Racism from the Eyes of a Child, a memoir detailing his upbringing in segregated Alabama. His accolades include being named a LinkedIn Top Voice and receiving the National Speakers Association’s “Master of Influence” award.
The Executive-in-Residence program is central to PVAMU’s mission to equip students with both academic knowledge and entrepreneurial vision. Knowles echoed this in his statement, saying,
“…programs like this are truly impactful, which sets the tone for more young people to embrace entrepreneurship and technology.”
This collaboration signals an exciting evolution in how HBCUs are redefining student engagement — combining celebrity influence, business education, and cultural leadership to prepare students for success in both corporate and creative worlds.
Related Articles: Salah Bachir is a Publishing and Entertainment Trailblazer, Beyoncé Lights the Stage Ablaze in Atlanta with Jay-Z by Her Side
