Preparation at Morehouse College’s graduation ceremony on May 19 has to be especially intense as it might be one of the most anticipated graduation events in U.S. history.
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President Joe Biden promised to make an appearance as the HBCU’s keynote speaker. However, the billion-dollar package he’s trying to push, sending aid to Israel to fund the war against Gaza put a sour taste in Morehouse students’ mouths. Given the wildfire of college student protests against the Israel-Hamas war, there is speculation that Morehouse students may plan a demonstration as well.
In attempt to keep the peace, Mr. President plans to campaign in Atlanta ahead of his Morehouse speech. A White House official also visited the campus with a group of students and faculty amidst the concerns of Biden’s appearance.
However, let’s not make Biden the main character of this HBCU’s graduation. The main character is Morehouse, The Black Harvard as it has been called, an institution that has raised brilliant Black men who made it across the stage to get their diploma and then set out to change the world.
As we await the stars of Morehouse College Class of 2024 to emerge, mosey down this list of notable alumni, faculty and attendees.
Leroy Johnson
Johnson graduated from Morehouse in 1949 after studying History. He went on following his education to become the first African American elected to the Georgia General Assembly from the end Reconstruction.
Jamal Simmons
The CNN political correspondent and current communications director for the Vice President graduated in the Morehouse class of 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in History.
Donn Clendenon
The New York Mets Outfielder and 1969 World Series MVP graduated as a Morehouse man in the class of 1959 as a letterman after playing for the school’s baseball team in addition to eight other sports teams.
Erik King
The actor, best known for his character in “Dexter,” graduated from Morehouse in the class of 1989 with the highest honors after studying Africana Studies.
Byron Cage
The Grammy award-winning Gospel artist was a Morehouse College Glee Club member and graduated from Morehouse in the class of 1987 after studying music.
Samuel L. Jackson
The acting legend was expelled from the college in 1969 after holding Martin Luther King Sr. hostage in a protest for two days. However, he returned later and graduated with a degree in drama in 1972.
Raphael Warnock
The minister and Georgia Senator graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Morehouse in 1991.
Martin Luther King Sr.
The father of civil rights giant Martin Luther King Jr. graduated from the college in 1929 with a bachelor’s degree in Theology. He later served on the school’s board and subject to a student protest demanding school curriculum reform.
Martin Luther King Jr.
The civil rights leader graduated from the college in 1948 with a bachelor of arts degree in Sociology. During his time there, he began encouraging students and organizations to make a movement out of fighting for racial justice.
Martin Luther King III
The civil rights leader’s son and activist graduated from the college with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1979.
Bakari T. Sellers
The son of an iconic civil rights activist, Bakari, the handsome young civil rights attorney, CNN analyst, bestselling author and politician from South Carolina, graduated from the college with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005.
John David Washington
The actor and son of acting legend Denzel Washington was a football player at the college and signed to the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent soon after graduating in 2006.
Fonzworth Bentley
The rapper and personal valet to Sean “P. Diddy” Combs graduated in the class of 1996 with a major in biology. He also ran cross-country and track.
Julian Bond
The civil rights activist attended Morehouse after moving down to Atlanta in the 1960s. However, he left briefly to participate in an anti-segregation protest with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. When he returned, he graduated with a bachelor’s in English in 1971.
Spike Lee
The film directing legend and screenwriter graduated from the college in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications.
PJ Morton
The R&B/Soul singer graduated from the college in 2003 with a major in marketing.
Guru
The Hip Hop rapper and producer attended the college studying business administration and graduated in 1983.
Brian Tyree Henry
The actor graduated from the college in the class of 2004 with a major in business before going on to get his masters in Drama at Yale.
Bill Nunn
The actor and familiar face of most Spike Lee films attended from the college alongside Lee before graduating in the class of 1976.
Edwin Moses
The Olympic gold medalist known for his performance on the hurdle event graduated from Morehouse with a bachelor’s degree in Physics in 1978.
Metro Boomin
The critically acclaimed Hip Hop music producer attended the college studying Business Management. He left the school to take on music production full-time.
Howard Thurman
The Christian philosopher and educator received his bachelor’s degree from the college in 1923 and returned later for tenure as the school’s Director of Religious Life.
Dexter Scott King
King, the youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr., studied at the college like his father, working toward a degree in Business Administration before leaving in 1984 before graduating.
Herman Cain
The late Tea Party activist graduated from Morehouse with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics back in 1967.
Brandon J. Dirden
The Broadway actor and director graduated from Morehouse in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Drama.
Randall Woodfin
Woodfin, the youngest mayor of Birmingham, Ala., graduated from Morehouse in 2003 with a major in Political Science. He was also the president of the Student Government Association during his time there.
Shaun King
The writer and social justice activist majored in History at Morehouse, graduating with the class of 2002.
Maynard Jackson
The attorney, politician and former mayor of Atlanta entered Morehouse College through a special-entry program and graduated in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
Killer Mike
The Grammy-award winning rapper and activist met his soon-to-be music parter Big Boi at Morehouse in the 90s and left after two semesters to continue pursuing music.
Mordecai Wyatt Johnson
Known as the first Black president of Howard University, Johnson received his own education from Morehouse, graduating in the class of 1911 when the college was still named the Atlanta Baptist College. He received a degree in English, History and Economics.
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