Morris Brown has been granted $2.9 Million in Federal Funding per an announcement at a university press conference earlier this week. The $2.9 million, the largest grant received by Morris Brown in 20 years, will be used for restoration of buildings on campus and funding for academic programs. $500,000 will specifically go towards the restoration of Founder’s Hall.
The allocation of federal funding was led by Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, who secured a federal funding package for Morris Brown College. Senator Ossoff fulfilled a campaign promise that he made in an appearance on Morris Brown’s campus in December 2020 to secure funding for the Atlanta-based HBCU.
““I want to pledge to you, Mr. President, that as Georgia’s United States senator, I’ll be at your fingertips. I’ll work tirelessly to deliver the resources that this institution needs, not just to get back to where it has been, but to achieve higher and higher heights.” said Senator Ossoff in a campaign rally on Morris Brown’s campus in December 2020.
Ossoff also publicly supported the reaccedidation efforts of Morris Brown College and assisted in brining back eligibility for student veterans to attend the institution. These moves aided in what President Dr. Kevin James calls “#thehardreset” for the institution. Since losing it’s accreditation in 2002 through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and a bankruptcy filing in 2012, Morris Brown has grown under James leadership.
During James’s tenure, which began in 2020, Morris Brown:
- Regained accreditation via The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), which allows students to apply for federal financial aid.
- Grew university enrollment from 20 students to 270
- Inked a partnership deal with the Technical College System of Georgia, the first of it’s kind for any HBCU in Georgia
- Partnered with Rapper T.I. and Moolah Wireless to give out free tablets to students
- Continued fundraising efforts for campus restoration
- Added several academic programs for students
The grant will surely continue aiding Dr. Kevin James in #thehardreset of the storied institution and add to the already great accomplishments during his three years as Morris Brown’s President.
