Morris Brown College Is Back

Morris Brown College (from the movie Drumline) is back after a 20-year hiatus!

By Tarshae Odom

National Vice President for Student Affairs - ΚΚΨ & Dr. Kevin James

National Board of Trustees - ΚΚΨ President of Morris Brown College

In 1881, 141 years ago, HBCU Morris Brown College was founded at Big Bethel AME (Atlanta) Church by freed slaves for African Americans. It is the only school in Georgia founded, funded, owned, and operated by Black people.

Morris Brown’s Marching Wolverine band was featured as the big-school rival in the film Drumline, making the college and the band household names. The real-life band played at the film’s premiere and made it to the grand finale in the movie. Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma were featured throughout the film. Many brothers and sisters from chapters throughout the country, specifically the Southeast District participated in various bands in the movie. The Podium featured the film along with our members in the Spring 2002 publication.

In 2002, shortly after being a part of the film, Morris Brown College lost its accreditation due to financial mismanagement. The President at the time was accused of misappropriating millions of dollars and indicted on 27 charges, but in 2006 pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement — essentially admitting she swindled about $11,000 (misappropriating student financial aid) to cover administrative costs at the

It is the only school in Georgia founded, funded, owned, and operated by Black people.

college. Even without accreditation, never once since its founding has this national treasure closed its doors.

With the loss of accreditation, the college went from 2700 to 50 students overnight. The college filed 30-milliondollar bankruptcy, lost most of its land, settled a 9.5 million debt owed to the US Department of Education, and recently settled a 4.2 million debt with the AME church.

Most had given up on the college, however, after a little over two years of diligent restructuring under its new President, Brother Kevin James (Zeta Eta, South Carolina State University, 1997/ newly elected member of the KK Psi Board of Trustees), Morris Brown College secured state approval by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission and accreditation status by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). The institution came into compliance with the standards and criteria to be deemed a quality institution. The school was evaluated by an on-site peer review team which determined that the institution provided sound instruction and appropriate student services. The college became eligible to apply to the U.S Department of Education to participate in financial aid programs and Title IV funding, which was restored in December 2021, after almost 20 years. Such funding was desperately needed to support the students and the overall mission of the college. Morris Brown College just made history!

As President, Brother Kevin James leads as the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the leadership and management of all aspects of college operations. He is also responsible for the development and execution of the vision and strategic direction for the college, in concert with the Board of Trustees.

Brother James has a career that spans over 22+ years as a higher education administrator, professor, executive business leader and motivational speaker. As President, he helped re-brand the institution, stabilized finances; increased fundraising; expanded and revised academic offerings; and led the college in reaching record-breaking enrollment increases from over the past 20 years.

Most recently, Brother James announced Morris Brown’s $30 million partnership with Hilton Hotels Worldwide and CGI Merchant Group to develop a hotel on the college’s campus that provides students with hospitality training in the hotel and restaurants industries.

Prior to his position as Morris Brown President, James served as interim CEO of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. He previously held academic administrator roles at Claflin, Strayer, and Herzing universities as well.

Brother James was named 22 to Watch in 2022 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and one of Atlanta’s Most Powerful Leaders by Atlanta Magazine. In 2021 he was named College President of the Year by the Georgia Greater Black Chamber of Commerce.

History has been made at Morris Brown College as this is the first HBCU to be restored after a 20-year hiatus. The students at Morris Brown College are fully engaged in the learning process, entrepreneurial in spirit and proud to be part of a longstanding tradition of academic excellence.

Brother Kevin James announced that he has plans to resurrect the Morris Brown College Marching Wolverine Band and hopefully reinstate the Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma chapters. The Morris Brown College resurgence story is truly an example of what can happen when brothers Strive for the Highest!