Famed HBCU Morris Brown College Officially Regains Full Accreditation After Almost 20 Years

Morris Brown College was granted full accreditation on Tuesday (Apr. 26) from the Transactional Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The re-accreditation means students will be able to attend Morris Brown College, receive federal funding, and graduate with accredited degrees. According to reports, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked Morris Brown’s accreditation back in 2002 because of the school’s severe debt. Financial impropriety by a previous leader at the HBCU left the institution in dire condition, ultimately causing the school to file for bankruptcy in 2012. While Morris Brown earned accreditation candidacy in 2021, it has now been officially granted by the TRACS association.

Over the years, Morris Brown never closed its doors despite bankruptcy, foreclosure of some facilities, and a dwindling student population. After decades of work from alumni, supporters, and church officials, the school was able to pay off more than $30 million of debt.

According to reports, the TRACS association will conduct annual reviews of Morris Brown’s finances and audits as part of the post-accreditation process.

The historically black college– located in downtown Atlanta–was founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church to provide higher education for African Americans after the Civil War. Many notable black Americans from the civil rights movement attended Morris Brown College, including; Alberta Williams King–the mother of Martin Luther King, Jr.– civil rights leader Hosea Williams, and hundreds of educators, doctors, athletes, and business leaders.

The school’s leadership will hold a press conference Thursday (Apr.28) to formally announce the decision and steps forward for the college.

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