Welcome to The Southern Spotlight! A new alumni engagement tool shining light on our 50,000 plus Southern University System graduates from across the globe. Success comes in many forms. Here, we shout out the many Southernites' successes by highlighting personal and professional accomplishments along with the cultural and societal imprints made in their communities. We remain #SUProud.


Keyonn Pope - Class of 2004


"I encourage all of you to join and be active in the Alumni Federation and your local chapter in support of our beloved alma mater."


SUBR - Bachelors of Science, Electrical Engineering 

Member of the Southern University Alumni Federation + Chicago Alumni Chapter
Keyonn L. Pope, a native of Chicago’s south side, is a 2004 alumnus of Southern University-Baton Rouge (SUBR), having earned a B.S. in electrical engineering (with honors) and a minor in math.  As an SUBR student, Keyonn was a member of the SUBR Honors College; the award-winning SUBR Quiz Bowl Team; Eta Kappa Nu (Electrical Engineering Honors Society); LS-LAMP; and the Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Fall 2002).  After graduating, Keyonn successfully pursued an M.S. in electrical engineering at Texas A&M University (College Station), and thereafter returned to his home state of Illinois, to work as a control systems and design engineer at Caterpillar, Inc. (a leading manufacturer of diesel engines, as well as construction and mining equipment).  Unable to suppress his intellectual curiosity, Keyonn subsequently resigned from his engineering role at Caterpillar and enrolled full-time at the University of Illinois College of Law.  Since earning his Juris Doctor degree in 2009, Keyonn has focused his law practice on intellectual property litigation and counseling, as well as media and entertainment matters.  Currently, Keyonn is a Partner in the Chicago office of Reed Smith LLP (a global law firm of over 1,700 attorneys) and is routinely called upon by clients to handle high-stakes matters involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and data privacy, among others.  He also chairs the Reed Smith African-American Affinity Group and serves on the firm’s Hiring Committee.  In addition, Keyonn possesses a longtime commitment to community service, which led him to found a not-for-profit, Onward & Upward Youth Outreach, to introduce low-income high school students to higher education opportunities via tours of colleges and universities (of course, SUBR is a mandatory stop on the tours).  Additionally, he endowed the Eugene Watt scholarship in honor of his late coach and mentor, which he awards annually to male and female student-athletes at his former elementary school, Emmett Till Academy (formerly McCosh Elementary).  Further, Keyonn serves on the boards of the Jazz Institute of Chicago, the Shriver Center for Poverty Law, and the Chicago Chapter of the Southern University Alumni Federation.  In his spare time, Keyonn is an ardent (Chicago) sports fan, a lover of live music, a trivia enthusiast, and an avid bid whist player. 
  WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO

For placement in The Southern Spotlight, click the button below to submit your nomination. Please include the following:

1. Photo; 

2. Hometown; 

3.Undergraduate major;

4. Year of graduation;

5. Current city and state of residence;

6. Post Collegiate Accomplishments to include graduate and professional degrees, current profession, and civic and community involvement;

7. What inspires you OR little known/fun fact about yourself.