By Brandon Simmons Returns to Berkeley, Full Circle Moment at Texas Southern University
Brandon L. Simmons, Chairman of the Texas Southern University Board of Regents, recently returned to his alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley, for a historic weekend that blended education, leadership, and competition. The trip coincided with Texas Southern University’s first-ever matchup against the Golden Bears on Saturday, at California Memorial Stadium—a game that also marked the first time Cal has faced an HBCU opponent since 2015.
For Simmons, a UC Berkeley graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, the visit represented a full-circle moment. From the classrooms of Berkeley to law clerkships, executive leadership, and now guiding one of the nation’s most storied HBCUs, Simmons embodies the intersection of academic achievement, entrepreneurship, and public service.
The weekend extended beyond the football field. Student leaders visited the Apple and Google campuses, explored career and entrepreneurship opportunities, participated in Tiger Chat with President James W. Crawford III, and enjoyed a performance by the Ocean of Soul marching band. These experiences mirror Simmons’ lifelong commitment to connecting students with leadership, innovation, and professional opportunities.
“The big story of this experience was seeing our (TSU) students at home on the Berkeley campus and Apple headquarters. This trip is about our students coming to the center of the economic world and feeling at home,” said Simmons.
A Journey of Leadership and Impact
Simmons’ path has been defined by a unique blend of academic excellence, entrepreneurial drive, and public service. After earning his degree at Berkeley, he attended Stanford Law School, where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence and was awarded the prestigious John W. Gardner Fellowship, a joint honor of Stanford and UC Berkeley recognizing students committed to public service leadership. Following law school, he served as a law clerk for Chief Judge J.L. Edmondson on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and later joined Hogan Lovells, a global law firm, advising emerging tech companies and venture investors on high-stakes deals and corporate governance.
Leaving behind a promising legal career, Simmons brought his leadership to the private sector, taking executive roles in aerospace, energy, and AI-focused companies, including serving as CEO of Tachyus Corporation, co-founding SIMSIM, and acting as General Partner at Prime Movers Lab.
Alongside his entrepreneurial pursuits, Simmons has remained committed to education and workforce development, founding the nonprofit Let Our Vision Evolve to educate students and young professionals about private sector opportunities, and serving as Entrepreneur in Residence at Wiley University. He also serves on boards and advisory groups, including the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, the Urban League, and the Texas International Lawyers Society, reflecting a career dedicated to shaping leaders and leveraging policy and business as tools for societal transformation.
Simmons’ return to Berkeley underscores not only the historic moment for Texas Southern but also the impact of vision, mentorship, and leadership in creating opportunities for the next generation.
