You canโt think of the ATL without the crown jewels of the Atlanta University Center โ Morehouse College and Spelman College โ coming to mind.
Both colleges have come a long way since they were established as baptist seminaries, educating a variety of politicians, civil rights legends, and creatives in the last century and a half. And we canโt forget to thank Spelhouse for the greatest (and most notorious) Black college street party the world has ever seen.
Here are some of the most notable Morehouse men and Spelmanites, from those who have cemented their place in our history books to key influencers who are making waves today.
01
Martin Luther King, Jr. โ48
The legendary civil rights pioneer is an Atlanta native who doesnโt get enough credit for his radical economic philosophies and campaigns against American imperialism and poverty. Entering Morehouse college at 15, Dr. King received his B.A. in sociology in 1948.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
02
Randall Woodfin โ03
This Maroon was recently elected as mayor of Birmingham, Alabama becoming the cityโs youngest mayor in modern history.
Randall Woodfin โ03
03
Spike Lee โ79
The veteran, award-winning filmaker and courtside fan of every major sports league imaginable got his start at Morehouse, where he made his first student film and received his B.A. in mass communication.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
04
Seith Mann โ95
A prominent film director and creator of VH1โs hip-hop drama The Breaks, Mann received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series.
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
05
Samuel L. Jackson โ72
Some would say Samuel L. Jackson is on the cusp, Dec 21.
VCG/Getty Images
06
Shaun King โ01
The former Senior Social Justice Reporter at the New York Daily News, first made headlines for his dedicated independent coverage of the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. King is now at Writer in Residence at Harvard Law Schoolโs Fair Punishment Project.
Seith Mann
07
Fonzworth Bently โ96
Once a mainstay at the side of Shaun โ Diddyโ Combs, Fonzworth has stepped out on his own. Most recently, you may have seen his cameo in the instant classic, Black-ish Juneteenth episode. Beyond his two-step on camera, Bently produced the episodeโs musical numbers.
Sean Zanni/Getty Images
08
Marian Wright Edelman โ60
The childrenโs activist and MacArthur Fellowship winner is the founder & president of the Childrenโs Defense Fund.
Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images
09
Alice Walker
Though Walker didnโt graduate from Spelman, the legendary novelist, poet, and The Color Purple attended the college on scholarship until 1963.
Getty Images
10
Stacey Abrams โ95
The state representative who moonlights as a romance novelist, could make history as Georgiaโs first black governor.
The Washington Post/Getty Images
11
Adrienne-Joi Johnson โ85
This actress-turned-celebrity fitness trainer was ubiquitous in black movie classics, like School Daze, Housparty, and Sister Act. Lately โA.J.โ Johnson can be found being all of our #bodygoals, as the 54-year-old life coach and trainer continues to provide inspiration in special guest appearances on Oprah Winfreyโs network and HSN.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
12
Shaun Robinson โ80
The veteran media personality hosted Access Hollywood for nearly two decades, garnering Emmy awards and creating a nonprofit organization for girls and young women in the process
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
13
Pearl Cleage โ71
An award-winning playwright, Cleage left the land of the bison to become a jaguar, transfering from Howard and receiving a B.A. in Drama. The renowned writerโs poem โWe Speak Your Namesโ was a highlight of Oprahโs famous Legendโs Ball.
Rick Diamond/Getty Images
14
Keisha Knith Puliam โ01
Pulliam became a national star during her portrayal of Rudy Huxtable in the classic The Cosby Show, for which she beame the youngest actress nominated for an Emmy Award.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
15
Varnette Patricia Honeywood โ72
If youโve ever stepped foot in a black-owned bookstore, you have probably seen the signature illustrations and paintings of this Spelmanite. Honeywoodโs colorful depictions of black life landed in The Cosby Show, Amen, 227, and A Different World.