Gospel artists and minister Pastor Mike Jr. supported his local HBCU with a special gift, donating MacBooks to the Alabama A&M women’s basketball program.
The Birmingham-based pastor and award-winning Gospel artist donated the MacBooks to members of the Bulldogs program, giving the student-athletes a tool that can benefit them well beyond basketball.
A video of the presentation was shared on social media by Alabama A&M head coach Dawn Brown, showing another connection between one of Alabama’s most recognizable faith leaders and the state’s largest HBCU communities.
Pastor Mike Jr. continues Alabama A&M connection after Gospel Explosion
Pastor Mike Jr., whose full name is Mike McClure Jr., serves as senior pastor of Rock City Church in Birmingham. He has built a national profile both behind the pulpit and in Gospel music
McClure has earned multiple Stellar Gospel Music Awards during his career while Rock City has expanded its reach throughout Alabama. His music career includes multiple successful releases and appearances on the Billboard Gospel charts.
His relationship with Alabama A&M is not new. Pastor Mike Jr. was among the featured performers for Alabama A&M’s 2024 Homecoming Gospel Explosion. The event also included Grammy-winning Gospel artist Le’Andria Johnson and the Alabama A&M Gospel Choir.
Now his latest gesture puts resources directly into the hands of Alabama A&M student-athletes.
For college athletes, laptops have become nearly as important as equipment used for competition. Student-athletes balance coursework, assignments, travel, film study and other responsibilities throughout an academic year. Having personal technology readily available can help make that workload more manageable.
Alabama A&M women building momentum
The gift also comes as Alabama A&M women’s basketball continues building momentum under Brown.
The Bulldogs finished the 2025-26 season 22-11 overall and 17-1 in SWAC play, reaching the conference tournament semifinals. The previous season, Alabama A&M won 21 games and earned the first WNIT bid in program history.
Alabama A&M has reloaded for 2026-27 with a large recruiting class featuring Division I transfers as it attempts to remain among the SWAC’s top programs.
Pastor Mike Jr.’s contribution won’t show up in a box score, but it represents another example of the broader community investing in HBCU student-athletes.
This time, the Gospel star’s ministry came with an Apple logo attached.