Carolyn Newkirk

Dr. Carolyn Newkirk of Lanham, Maryland, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025. Born on July 12, 1949, in Pender County, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Major A. Newkirk, Sr., and Desser McKoy Newkirk, the second of eight children, a beacon for her family and community.

Carolyn was accomplished and entrepreneurial. As President of High TechMinds Multimedia, she created a successful business in training, media production, and event space, mentoring many small businesses. She authored “Run It Girl” to empower women in business.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to community were further exemplified by her involvement with Organizing for Action (OFA), an organization founded by former President Barack Obama. She served as the former Chapter Lead Director of Prince George’s County OFA and later as the MD/DC State Digital Lead, showcasing her dedication to civic engagement.

Education was vital to Carolyn. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Strayer University, a Master’s from the University of Maryland, University College, and a Doctorate from Breakthrough Bible College. Her Intellectual Property, Digitization, and Digital Media certificate reflects her commitment to technological advancement.

Carolyn was a loving mother to John C. Johnson, Jr., Christian Johnson (Kimberly McKay Johnson), Jermain Johnson, and a proud grandmother to Jayln Johnson, Daniel McKay, Halle McKay, and Chace Johnson. She is survived by siblings Velma Newkirk Fennell (Leedell), Annie Newkirk West (Curtis), Evelyn Newkirk Ellis, Ethel Newkirk Jacobs (Melvin), Major Newkirk, Jr. (Mary), Arnold Newkirk (Patricia), and Ronald Newkirk (Joan), along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Her legacy of hard work, determination, and dedication to empowering others will be remembered by all who knew her.