Notable Alumni of Howard University

Kamala Harris 1964–

Former Vice President of the United States

Bachelor of Arts · Political science, Economics · Class of 1986

Also attended: University of California College of the Law-San Francisco

Spouse: Doug Emhoff (California State University-Northridge, University of Southern California)

Father: Donald J. Harris (University of California-Berkeley)

Nnamdi Azikiwe 1904–1996

First president of Nigeria

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, Lincoln University, University of Pennsylvania

Thurgood Marshall 1908–1993

First African-American Supreme Court justice

Attended until 1933

Also attended: Lincoln University

Child: John W. Marshall (Georgetown University, Virginia Commonwealth University)

Child: Thurgood Marshall, Jr. (University of Virginia-Main Campus)

Stokely Carmichael 1941–1998

Civil rights and pan-African movement activist

Cheddi Jagan 1918–1997

Former President of Guyana and dentist

Also attended: Northwestern University

Spouse: Janet Jagan (University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)

Keith Mitchell 1946–

Former Prime Minister of Grenada

Also attended: American University

Edward Brooke 1919–2015

First African American popularly elected US senator

Sociology · Attended until 1941

Also attended: Boston University

David Dinkins 1927–2020

Mayor of New York City from 1990 to 1993

Bachelor of Science

Also attended: Brooklyn Law School

Frederick Ballantyne 1936–2020

Former Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Also attended: Upstate Medical University, Syracuse University

Francisco Flores 1959–2016

Former President of El Salvador

Also attended: University of Hartford, Amherst College, Harvard University

Andrew Young 1932–

American politician, diplomat and activist

Pre-medical · Attended until 1951

Also attended: Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, Dillard University

Eric Williams 1911–1981

First Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago

Elijah Cummings 1951–2019

US Representative for Maryland's 7th district

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1973

Also attended: University of Maryland, Baltimore, University System of Maryland

Spouse: Maya Rockeymoore (Prairie View A&M University, Purdue University-Main Campus)

Cheick Modibo Diarra 1952–

Malian astrophysicist and former acting prime minister

Roland Burris 1937–

Former Illinois attorney general and US senator

Juris Doctor · Class of 1963

Also attended: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Pauli Murray 1910–1985

Civil rights activist, lawyer and Episcopal priest

Also attended: University of California-Berkeley, Yale University, CUNY Hunter College

Letitia James 1958–

67th Attorney General of New York

Juris Doctor · Class of 1987

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, CUNY Lehman College

Patricia Harris 1924–1985

Cabinet secretary under President Jimmy Carter

Also attended: George Washington University

Alcee Hastings 1936–2021

Florida congressman and federal judge

Attended until 1960

Also attended: Florida A&M University, Fisk University

Gregory Meeks 1953–

U.S. Representative from New York

Juris Doctor · Class of 1978

Also attended: Adelphi University

Mike Espy 1953–

25th United States Secretary of Agriculture

Also attended: Santa Clara University

Hugh Shearer 1923–2004

3rd Prime Minister of Jamaica

Diezani Alison-Madueke 1960–

Nigerian former petroleum minister and first female OPEC president

Angie Brooks 1928–2007

Liberian diplomat, first African woman UN General Assembly president

Doctor of Philosophy

Also attended: Shaw University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mary Ann Shadd 1823–1893

Anti-slavery activist, journalist and publisher

Harris Wofford 1926–2019

US Senator from Pennsylvania and civil rights activist

Also attended: Yale University, University of Chicago

Douglas Wilder 1931–

66th Governor of Virginia, first elected Black governor

Attended until 1959

Also attended: Virginia Union University

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick 1979–

U.S. representative for Florida's 20th district

Adrian Fenty 1970–

Former mayor of the District of Columbia

Also attended: Oberlin College

Sharon Pratt 1944–

First woman mayor of the District of Columbia

William Lacy Clay 1956–

US Representative from Missouri, 2001 to 2021

Also attended: University of Maryland-College Park

Father: Bill Clay (Saint Louis University)

Summer Lee 1987–

Democratic U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania

Juris Doctor · Class of 2015

Also attended: The Pennsylvania State University

Walter Washington 1915–2003

First Mayor of the District of Columbia

Spouse: Mary Burke Washington (Howard University, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Kah Walla 1965–

Cameroonian politician and entrepreneur

Diane Nash 1938–

Civil rights activist and strategist

Also attended: Fisk University

Spouse: James Bevel (American Baptist College)

Albert Wynn 1951–

Former US representative from Maryland, lobbyist

Political science

Also attended: Georgetown University, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Janeese Lewis George 1988–

Mayor-elect of Washington, D.C., and lawyer

Also attended: St John's University (NY)

Togo D. West, Jr. 1942–2018

Third US Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Bachelor of Science, Juris Doctor · Electrical engineering

Ewart Brown 1946–

Ninth Premier of Bermuda

Also attended: University of California-Los Angeles

Anthony Akoto Osei 1953–2023

Ghanaian banker and acting finance minister

Doctor of Philosophy · Economics

Also attended: American University, Oberlin College

Melvin H. Evans 1917–1984

First elected governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. 1877–1970

First African American general in the U.S. Army

Child: Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. (University of Chicago, The United States Military Academy at West Point)

George W. Atkinson 1845–1925

10th governor of West Virginia

Also attended: Ohio Wesleyan University

Aileen Hernandez 1926–2017

Civil rights activist and NOW president

Also attended: California State University-Los Angeles

Mohamed Gharib Bilal 1945–

Former Vice President of Tanzania

Also attended: University of California-Berkeley

Charles Hamilton Houston 1895–1950

Civil rights attorney and law teacher

Also attended: Amherst College, Harvard University

Victor O. Frazer 1943–

U.S. Virgin Islands delegate to the House, 1995–1997

Also attended: Fisk University

Harold Ford, Sr. 1945–

Tennessee congressman who served 11 terms

Master of Business Administration · Class of 1982

Also attended: John A Gupton College, Tennessee State University

Child: Harold Ford Jr. (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Pennsylvania)

Thomas Sowell 1930–

Economist and social theorist

Also attended: University of Chicago, Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York

Patricia Bath 1942–2019

Ophthalmologist and inventor

Doctor of Medicine · Class of 1968

Also attended: CUNY Hunter College

Marjorie Lee Browne 1914–1979

Mathematician, among first African-American women math PhDs

Mathematics · Attended until 1935

Also attended: Harvard University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Mamie Phipps Clark 1917–1983

Social psychologist of Black children's self-awareness

Bachelor of Science · Psychology · Class of 1938

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

Spouse: Kenneth Clark (Howard University, Columbia University in the City of New York)

E. Franklin Frazier 1894–1962

Sociologist, author of The Negro Family in the United States

Also attended: University of Chicago, Clark University, Columbia University in the City of New York

Alma Levant Hayden 1927–1967

Chemist and early African-American woman scientist at NIH

Also attended: South Carolina State University

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner 1912–2006

African American inventor of the adjustable sanitary belt

Kenneth Clark 1914–2005

Psychologist and civil rights activist

Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts · Class of 1936

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

Spouse: Mamie Phipps Clark (Howard University, Columbia University in the City of New York)

Melba Roy Mouton 1929–1990

NASA mathematician and Assistant Chief of Research Programs

Yvonne Young Clark 1929–2019

Mechanical engineer, pioneer for Black women engineers

Bachelor of Science · Mechanical engineering · Class of 1951

Also attended: Vanderbilt University

Marguerite Williams 1895–1991

Geologist, first African American with a geology doctorate

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1923

Also attended: Catholic University of America, Columbia University in the City of New York

Frances Cress Welsing 1935–2016

Psychiatrist and melanin theory proponent

Also attended: Antioch University-Los Angeles

Eleanor Jones 1929–2021

Mathematician, early African-American woman math PhD

Also attended: Syracuse University

Miriam Benjamin 1861–1947

Teacher and inventor, second Black woman patentee

Roger Arliner Young 1889–1964

Zoologist, first African American woman with a zoology doctorate

Also attended: University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania

Brittney C. Cooper 1980–

Rutgers professor, author and cultural critic

Bachelor of Arts · English studies, Political science

Also attended: Emory University

Vaughn Rasberry

Associate professor of English at Stanford University

Also attended: University of Chicago

Spouse: Tatyana Ali (Harvard University)

Toni Morrison 1931–2019

Novelist, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993

Bachelor of Arts

Also attended: Cornell University

Chadwick Boseman 1976–2020

Actor and playwright, Golden Globe and Emmy winner

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Also attended: Digital Film Academy

Sean Combs 1969–

Rapper and record producer, known as Diddy

Zora Neale Hurston 1891–1960

Writer, anthropologist and folklorist

Associate degree

Also attended: Barnard College, Columbia University in the City of New York

Roberta Flack 1937–2025

Singer and pianist of Killing Me Softly

Bachelor of Arts

Taraji P. Henson 1970–

Actress and producer, Golden Globe winner

Also attended: North Carolina A&T State University

Marlon Wayans 1972–

Actor, comedian and producer

Sibling: Keenen Ivory Wayans (Tuskegee University)

Sibling: Damon Wayans (New York Film Academy)

Anthony Anderson 1970–

Actor, star of Black-ish

Jessye Norman 1945–2019

Opera singer and recitalist

Bachelor's degree · Music

Also attended: Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Amiri Baraka 1934–2014

Writer of poetry, drama, fiction and essays

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1954

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, The New School

Spouse: Hettie Jones (Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Virginia-Main Campus)

Child: Kellie Jones (Amherst College)

Phylicia Rashad 1948–

Actress, former dean at Howard University

Spouse: Ahmad Rashad (University of Oregon)

Mother: Vivian Ayers Allen (Bennett College)

Debbie Allen 1950–

Actress, choreographer, director and producer

Also attended: University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Spouse: Norm Nixon (Duquesne University, Wofford College)

Mother: Vivian Ayers Allen (Bennett College)

Isaiah Washington 1963–

Actor

Nick Cannon 1980–

Actor, rapper and television host

Attended until 2020

Also attended: Santa Monica College

Ossie Davis 1917–2005

Actor, director, writer and activist

Attended until 1939

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

Spouse: Ruby Dee (CUNY Hunter College)

Benny Golson 1929–2024

Jazz tenor saxophonist, composer and arranger

Omarosa Manigault Newman 1974–

Reality TV star and former White House aide

Also attended: Central State University

Ta-Nehisi Coates 1975–

Author and journalist, formerly of The Atlantic

Also attended: Middlebury College

Paul Laurence Dunbar 1872–1906

Poet, novelist and short story writer

Spouse: Alice Dunbar Nelson (Dillard University, Columbia University in the City of New York)

Laz Alonso 1974–

Actor known for Avatar and Fast & Furious

Tracie Thoms 1975–

Actress and singer, known for Rent

Also attended: The Juilliard School

George Padmore 1903–1959

Pan-Africanist, journalist and author

Also attended: New York University, Fisk University

Donny Hathaway 1945–1979

Soul singer, keyboardist and songwriter

Child: Lalah Hathaway (Berklee College of Music)

Lynn Whitfield 1953–

Actress

Spouse: Vantile Whitfield (University of California-Los Angeles, Howard University)

Elizabeth Catlett 1915–2012

Sculptor and graphic artist

Art · Attended until 1935

Also attended: University of Iowa

Spouse: Charles Wilbert White (School of the Art Institute of Chicago)

Billy Eckstine 1914–1993

Jazz and pop singer and bandleader

Shirley Horn 1934–2005

Jazz singer and pianist

Geri Allen 1957–2017

Jazz pianist, composer and educator

Also attended: University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Spouse: Wallace Roney (Howard University, Berklee College of Music)

Susan Kelechi Watson 1981–

Actress known as Beth Pearson in This Is Us

Also attended: New York University

George Washington Williams 1849–1891

Soldier, minister, politician and African-American historian

Simone Missick 1982–

Actress known for Luke Cage

Loïs Mailou Jones 1905–1998

African American painter and educator

Bachelor of Arts · Visual art education · Class of 1945

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University

Ernest Dickerson 1951–

Director, cinematographer and screenwriter

Also attended: New York University

Wallace Roney 1960–2020

Jazz trumpeter and Grammy winner

Also attended: Berklee College of Music

Spouse: Geri Allen (Howard University, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus)

Roxie Roker 1929–1995

Actress known for The Jeffersons

Lucille Clifton 1936–2010

Poet and former Poet Laureate of Maryland

Attended until 1955

Also attended: SUNY at Fredonia

Alma Thomas 1891–1978

Painter and art educator

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, Teachers College at Columbia University

Virginia Capers 1925–2004

Actress, 1974 Tony winner for Best Lead Actress in a Musical

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Van McCoy 1940–1979

Record producer, songwriter and singer

Sonia Sanchez 1934–

Poet and leading figure of the Black Arts Movement

Also attended: CUNY Hunter College, New York University

Spouse: Etheridge Knight (Martin University)

Carl Anderson 1945–2004

Singer and actor, played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar

Spouse: Veronica Porché Ali (University of Southern California)

Wendy Raquel Robinson 1967–

Actress known for The Steve Harvey Show and The Game

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Bradford Young 1977–

Cinematographer, first African-American Best Cinematography nominee

Isabel Wilkerson 1961–

Journalist; first Black woman to win a journalism Pulitzer

Michael James Shaw 1986–

Actor and writer in The Walking Dead and Avengers films

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Lance Gross 1981–

Actor known for Tyler Perry's House of Payne

Wendy Davis 1966–

Actress known for Army Wives

Bernice Johnson Reagon 1942–2024

Singer, composer and civil rights activist

Also attended: Albany State University, Spelman College

Paula Jai Parker 1969–

Actress known for Phone Booth and Hustle & Flow

Dave Fennoy 1952–

Voice actor, Lee Everett in The Walking Dead

Also attended: Macalester College

Daryl Davis 1958–

R&B and blues musician and anti-racism activist

Aida Muluneh 1974–

Ethiopian photographer and contemporary artist

Shirley Graham Du Bois 1896–1977

Writer, playwright, composer and activist

Attended until 1928

Also attended: Yale University, The Juilliard School, Oberlin College

Spouse: W. E. B. Du Bois (Harvard University, Fisk University)

Kevin Grevioux 1962–

Actor and writer, co-creator of Underworld

David Driskell 1931–2020

Artist and scholar who established African-American art studies

Also attended: Catholic University of America

Gabrielle Dennis 1978–

Actress and comedian

La La Anthony 1979–

Television personality, actress and former MTV VJ

Spouse: Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse University)

Solomon Mutswairo 1924–2005

Zimbabwean novelist and poet

Taban lo Liyong 1938–

South Sudanese poet, writer and academic

Also attended: University of Iowa

Ananda Lewis 1973–2025

Television personality and broadcast journalist

Historiography · Attended until 1995

Marion Brown 1931–2010

Jazz alto saxophonist and composer

Also attended: Wesleyan University

Rich Harrison 1975–

Record producer of Crazy in Love

Cheryl Clarke 1947–

Poet, essayist, educator and Black feminist activist

Bachelor of Arts · English · Class of 1969

J. A. Preston 1932–

Actor in A Few Good Men and Hill Street Blues

Also attended: North Carolina Central University

Kamran Diba 1937–

Iranian architect and visual artist

Andrew White 1942–2020

Jazz multi-instrumentalist and musicologist

Todd Duncan 1903–1998

Baritone who originated Porgy in Porgy and Bess

Also attended: Butler University, Valparaiso University, Columbia University in the City of New York

Frenchie Davis 1979–

Broadway performer, singer and American Idol contestant

Shauntay Hinton 1979–

Miss USA 2002, actress and TV host

Sekhar Kammula 1972–

Indian Telugu film director and screenwriter

Karen Malina White 1965–

Actress, voice of Dijonay in The Proud Family

Kemp Powers 1973–

Playwright, screenwriter, co-director of Soul

Laraaji 1943–

Multi-instrumentalist specializing in piano and zither

Glory Edim 1982–

Writer and founder of Well-Read Black Girl

Turner Layton 1894–1978

Singer, songwriter and pianist

Earl Lovelace 1935–

Trinidad and Tobago novelist and playwright

Also attended: Johns Hopkins University

Eddie Henderson 1940–

Jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player

Also attended: University of California-Berkeley, San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Charles Tolliver 1942–

Jazz trumpeter, composer and co-founder of Strata East Records

Meghan McCain 1984–

TV personality, columnist, daughter of John McCain

Also attended: Barnard College, Columbia University in the City of New York

Spouse: Ben Domenech (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of William and Mary)

Father: John McCain (United States Naval Academy)

Shaka Hislop 1969–

Former goalkeeper and football commentator

David Oliver 1982–

Hurdler and Howard University track director

Larry Spriggs 1959–

Former professional basketball player

Antoine Bethea 1984–

NFL safety for 14 seasons

Seba Johnson 1973–

Olympic alpine skier, first black woman to ski at Olympics

Rachel Dolezal 1977–

Activist known for presenting herself as a black woman

Master of Fine Arts · Class of 2002

Also attended: Belhaven University

Jeremiah Wright 1941–

Pastor emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ

Also attended: Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Chicago, Valparaiso University

Mpho Andrea Tutu 1963–

South African Anglican priest and daughter of Desmond Tutu

Attended until 1986

Also attended: Episcopal Divinity School

Father: Desmond Tutu (Bates College, Hamilton College)

Dorothy B. Porter 1905–1995

Librarian who built Howard University's Moorland-Spingarn collection

Attended until 1928

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

Spouse: James A. Porter (Howard University, New York University)