“Kidney Disease Will Never Have Me”: How a College Community Rallied Around Its Beloved President

Dr. Davis has spent his life helping others succeed. Before becoming the 13th president of Livingstone College, he raised more than $500 million for nonprofits and educational institutions around the country. 

Today, Dr. Davis is focused on a major campus revitalization project with $60 million already raised. Under his leadership, Livingstone is now one of the fastest-growing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. 

But as this success was happening, something else was quietly changing—Dr. Davis’s health.

Dr. Davis’s journey with kidney disease began in 2022, right around the time he became Livingstone College’s president. 

“I went to the doctor for a physical. I felt good, but my lab work showed that my kidneys weren’t functioning properly,” Dr. Davis said. “My creatinine was high.” 

Despite having a professional background in laboratory science, Dr. Davis’ immediate reaction was to deny the diagnosis. 

“I told myself I was dehydrated and could fix it by drinking more water,” he said. “Then my doctor explained how the eGFR equation worked, and I just needed to accept I had kidney disease.”

Dr. Davis had already lost 50% of his kidney function. 

Learn more about your kidney numbers.

Dr. Davis was referred to a nephrologist who confirmed the diagnosis. They discussed dialysis options while trying to preserve his remaining kidney function. He chose peritoneal dialysis (PD), a home dialysis option that would give him the flexibility to continue working.  

But within a year, his condition worsened dramatically.

“I was hospitalized in 2023 shortly after Thanksgiving,”  he said. “I’d gained 30 pounds from the water my body retained.”

Dr. Davis also had hyperkalemia, or high potassium–a dangerous condition that can lead to heart issues or even death. 

“I needed several emergency interventions. But I felt fine after I was discharged,” he said. “I knew I’d start dialysis soon, but wanted to wait until the 2024 spring graduation.”

A follow-up appointment proved that while Dr. Davis felt fine, his kidneys were not. 

“I went into kidney failure,” he said. “Everyone kept telling me I would know when I needed dialysis. But I was asymptomatic.”

Dr. Davis got his PD catheter that day. 

Take our quick quiz to find out if home dialysis is right for you.

Dr. Davis spent almost two years on overnight PD. In total, his dialysis routine took up nine hours every night. 

Despite the physical strain and time commitment, he has refused to let kidney disease stop him from living the life he built.

“I may have kidney disease, but kidney disease will never have me,” he said.

In those two years, Dr. Davis continued to advocate for others living with kidney disease—especially those who may not have the same support system or access to care. He was determined to continue leading Livingstone College, support its students, and fight for his own health at the same time.

“I went to work every day,” he said. “I refused to let kidney disease stop me.”

For nearly a year, Dr. Davis kept his condition private. But no one in his immediate family or friend circle was approved to donate.

At the 2025 May commencement speech, he stood before his students, staff, families, and supporters and finally shared this truth.

“I told them I had been suffering in silence,” he said. “I asked for their prayers as I told them I was searching for a living kidney donor.”

He didn’t just confide in the college community. The media were in the room, and news spread quickly. What happened next stunned him.

More than 60 people started the living donor evaluation. 

This outpouring of support marked the beginning of his living kidney donor search. Others launched blood drives and began outreach campaigns. Awareness and support spread far beyond campus.

For the first time since his diagnosis, Dr. Davis began to feel real hope.

“I’m humbled,” he said. “People stepped up not just for me, but for kidney disease awareness.”

Learn more about deciding to donate a kidney.

In late September 2025, Dr. Davis announced that an altruistic living kidney donor stepped forward to donate. Their surgery was scheduled for November 13th. 

Just five days later, Dr. Davis was discharged with full kidney function. 

“Someone walked in off the street, said ‘I want to donate to him’, and happened to be my match,” he told WBTV. 

Dr. Davis also expressed his thankfulness to this stranger who gave him a new lease on life.

“Thank you for donating,” Davis said. “I appreciate this so much. You have saved my life.”

And for those still waiting for their kidney transplant, Dr. Davis recommends: 

• Staying engaged in life
• Pushing for answers
• Building community
• Asking for help when you need it
• Utilizing resources like NKF’s Big Ask Big Give workshop

These principles helped Dr. Davis stay strong during one of the hardest seasons of his life, and he hopes they can do the same for others. 

Find support for living with kidney disease and connect with others.