Why HBCUs Still Matter | Kyle Adams on Leadership, Legacy & Building Black Excellence

In this powerful episode of The Network with Michael Prejean, Coach P sits down with higher-education executive, author, and HBCU culture-builder Kyle Adams. From the untold legacy of the 1982 Cheney State Lady Wolves, to the spiritual grounding of leadership, to preparing young Black men to respect and champion Black women — this conversation is a masterclass in coaching, culture, and purpose.We explore the Funky Four Corners: Spiritual • Mental • Physical • Financial, plus Kyle’s five-year journey to get Cheney their rightful place in the Hall of Fame.If you lead, coach, teach, or serve — this episode will sharpen your purpose and strengthen your voice.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Cold Open00:26 – Magnolia Story01:04 – Welcome to The Network01:17 – Today’s Guest: Kyle Adams02:07 – “This is The Network — not the Co-Op”02:20 – Where to Find Kyle Online03:30 – Book + Podcast + Medium Page Overview04:34 – Giving Flowers: Brother Tiller06:18 – Kyle Has Visited 50+ HBCUs06:41 – The #1 Misconception About HBCU Culture07:17 – Why HBCUs Matter in America08:02 – Resource Scarcity vs Cultural Scarcity08:25 – Sit-in Movements & Civil Rights Roots09:25 – Generational Elevation Through HBCUs10:04 – Professors Who Called Out Greatness11:34 – Dr. Reginald Rackley: “You’re Better Than This.”14:06 – The Legacy of the 1982 Cheney Lady Wolves17:45 – Kyle’s 5-Year Fight to Get Them Recognized20:51 – Preparing Men to Value Black Women’s Leadership21:02 – “Men Are Visitors in Women’s Basketball”27:46 – Spiritual Corner: Leadership as Stewardship30:48 – Best Spiritual Advice Ever Received32:47 – Mental Corner: Safe Spaces, Therapy & Courage35:55 – Coaches’ Mental Health Struggles41:04 – Mid-Roll CTA / Episode Reset42:40 – Physical Corner: Your Body Is Your First Team44:51 – Rest, Hydration & Phone Discipline48:32 – Aging Well: Stretching, Yoga & Longevity55:58 – Financial Corner: Value + Pricing Your Time57:26 – Prayer, Purpose & Fried Chicken Story58:26 – Best Financial Advice Ever59:57 – Time Respect & Showing Up Early1:00:34 – Superpower Game: Kyle Chooses Time Travel1:03:22 – Dinner With 3 Ancestors1:04:20 – Leadership Ancestors Kyle Would Study1:19:18 – Serena Williams Back to School? (Light Segment)1:20:09 – Final Segments Setup1:20:39 – Good Medicine: Books + Resources1:21:12 – Leadership Challenge (Cheat Code)1:21:40 – Documentary Recommendation: Amend1:22:46 – Earl Nightingale: The Strangest Secret1:23:26 – A Shelter in a Time of Storm1:24:11 – Leadership Capacity (Deepening)1:25:37 – Personal Development Routines1:26:02 – Strangest Secret (Reinforced)1:27:05 – A Shelter in a Time of Storm (Deep Dive)1:27:44 – Episode CloseSubscribe for more episodes that feed your spiritual, physical, mental, and financial growth — the Funky Four Corners of Life.📲 Follow The Network on IG: @podcast_with_prejean🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeSubscribe to The Network." You never know — you might need it."