Historically Black Morris Brown College in Atlanta was founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 2002, the college lost its accreditation due to an unstable financial position. The college filed for and later re-emerged from bankruptcy. The college stayed open but enrollments slowed to a trickle. The campus fell into disrepair. (See JBHE post.)
In 2021 the college announced a $30 million investment from CGI Merchant Group, a minority-owned global investment management firm. The funds will be used to convert existing facilities into a 150-key upscale hotel and hospitality management training complex. In April, the college announced that it has received accreditation candidacy by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, a Virginia-based accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. As a result of the accreditation candidacy status, the United States Department of Education announced that the college would once again be eligible to administer federal financial aid. Morris Brown students are now eligible for Pell grants and other federal financial aid programs. That accreditation has now been made permanent.
Kevin James, president of Morris Brown College stated that “I am honored to lead this great institution. Many thought that this feat was impossible, but due to our strong faith in God, our hardworking and wonderful faculty and staff, the support of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, our dedicated alumni, and our resilient spirit, we were able to achieve full accreditation. Morris Brown offers a unique, affordable, and quality education that prepares students for success.”
Hallelujah. I worked at MBC many years ago and was heartbroken to hear that the lost their accreditation. So, glad to hear they have regained it.