Clark Atlanta University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Clark Atlanta University (CAU), an institution born from the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College in 1988, stands as a beacon of academic excellence and a nurturing ground for future leaders. With roots tracing back to 1865 and 1869, respectively, Atlanta University and Clark College laid the foundation for a university that continues to shape the world through its notable alumni. As a member of the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), alongside Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College, CAU offers a unique environment fostering collaboration and comprehensive education. Ranking among the best HBCUs, Clark Atlanta University equips its students with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in their careers.

Historical Context: The Foundation of Excellence

Atlanta University, established in 1865 by the American Missionary Association, holds the distinction of being the first institution in the nation to provide graduate training for Black Americans. Clark College, founded in 1869, was the first four-year liberal arts college in the United States to serve a predominantly African American student body. Named in honor of Bishop Davis Wasgatt Clark, these combined legacies form the bedrock of Clark Atlanta University's commitment to academic rigor and social justice.

Alumni in Arts, Entertainment, and Media

CAU has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have made significant contributions to the arts, entertainment, and media industries.

Musical Pioneers

Akon, the Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist, rose to prominence in 2004 with his hit single "Locked Up." His debut album, Trouble, further solidified his place in the music industry.

Bobby V, also known as Bobby Valentino, an American R&B singer, first gained recognition as a member of the group Mista, known for their 1996 single "Blackberry Molasses." He graduated from CAU with a BA in Mass Communications in 2003.

Fletcher Henderson, an American pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer, played a vital role in the development of big band jazz and swing music. He helped bridge the gap between the Dixieland and the swing eras.

Charlie Heat, a record producer, signed with Very GOOD Beats in 2015. He has been credited on releases for artists including Denzel Curry, Lil Uzi Vert, Tommy Genesis, Madonna, Midwxst, Ty Dolla Sign, Young Buck, J. Cole, Gucci Mane and Travis Scott, among others.

Actors and Television Personalities

Emmanuel Lewis, best known for playing the title character in the sitcom Webster, was one of American television's biggest stars in the mid-1980s.

Eva Marcille, an actress, fashion model, and television personality, gained fame after winning America's Next Top Model. She starred in Tyler Perry's House of Payne and The Young and the Restless. She was also a cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Kenya Barris, a film and television writer, producer, director, and actor, is best known as the creator of the ABC sitcom Black-ish.

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Ellia English, an American singer, dancer, stage and film actress, is best known for her role as Aunt Helen King on the comedy sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show.

Media and Journalism

Jacque Reid, who graduated in 1995 with a BA degree in Print Journalism, is best known for her broadcasting role on BET’s Nightly News from 2001-2005.

Teneille, a 2007 Mass Media Arts graduate and Emmy award winning journalist and editor, has created various newscasts and special projects including Emmy nominated, “Celebrating Black History Month,” and “District Matters.”

Champions of Civil Rights and Social Justice

CAU's legacy is deeply intertwined with the struggle for civil rights and social justice, with numerous alumni playing pivotal roles in shaping a more equitable society.

Civil Rights Leaders

Ralph David Abernathy Sr., a close friend and mentor of Martin Luther King Jr., earned his Master of Arts in sociology from Atlanta University in 1951. He was a leader of the civil rights movement and co-created the Montgomery Improvement Association.

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James Weldon Johnson, an American writer and civil rights activist, graduated from Atlanta University in 1894. He served as executive secretary for the NAACP from 1920 to 1930. He wrote the lyrics for "Lift Every Voice and Sing", also known as the Black National Anthem.

Hosea Williams, a civil rights leader, activist, ordained minister, businessman, philanthropist, scientist, and politician, was a member of Martin Luther King Jr.'s inner circle. He founded Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless.

Walter White, who graduated in 1916 with Bachelor of Arts, led the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for a quarter of a century, from 1929 until 1955.

John Mack, an activist in the civil rights movement, served as the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Urban League from 1969 to 2005.

Political Figures and Public Servants

Hank Johnson, who graduated in 1976 with Bachelor of Arts, has been a U.S. representative for Georgia's 4th congressional district since 2007.

Major Robert Odell Owens graduated in 1957 with Master of Arts and served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2007, representing the New York's 11th and then 12th congressional district.

Alexander Benedict Cummings Jr. is a Liberian politician, businessman and philanthropist. He is the Standard Bearer of Liberia's Alternative National Congress.

Activists

Ajamu Baraka is an American political activist. In 2016, he was the Green Party nominee for Vice President of the United States.

Pioneers in Education and Academia

Clark Atlanta University has a long-standing tradition of producing exceptional educators and scholars who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.

Marva Collins, an American educator, created Westside Preparatory School in the impoverished Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, which opened in 1975.

Lucy Craft Laney, an American educator, founded the first school for black children in Augusta, Georgia, in 1883.

Innovators in Business and Entrepreneurship

CAU alumni have also excelled in the world of business and entrepreneurship, demonstrating innovation and leadership in various industries.

Pinky Cole, an American restaurateur, is the owner and operator of Slutty Vegan, a plant-based burger restaurant chain in Atlanta, Georgia.

Contributions to Science and Technology

Henry Ossian Flipper was an American soldier, engineer, former slave and in 1877, the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Louis T. Wright was an American surgeon and civil rights activist. In his position at Harlem Hospital he was the first African-American on the surgical staff of a non-segregated hospital in New York City.

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