Dr. James Boyce "Jim" Black, who served as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly and was Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2006, discusses his association with UNC Charlotte's Chancellor James H. Woodward during the years 1989 - 2006. During his tenure as Speaker, Dr. Black helped secure a referendum in 2000 for over 3 billion dollars for the University of North Carolina System and the North Carolina Community College System, of which UNC Charlotte received $190 million. This bond paved the way for much needed new construction on the Charlotte campus. Dr. Black also reflects on the decision to implement PhD programs at UNC Charlotte and their effect on the growth and reputation of the university, and on his role in securing funding for a bioinformatics building.