Notable Alumni of Clark Atlanta University

Ralph Abernathy 1926–1990

Civil rights activist and Baptist minister

Master of Arts · Sociology · Class of 1951

Also attended: Alabama State University

Spouse: Juanita Abernathy (Selma University, Tennessee State University)

Child: Donzaleigh Abernathy (Emerson College)

Hank Johnson 1954–

U.S. Representative from Georgia

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1976

Also attended: Texas Southern University

Walter White 1893–1955

Civil rights activist who led the NAACP

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1916

Child: Jane White (Smith College, The New School)

Major Owens 1936–2013

Former U.S. Representative from New York, librarian

Master of Arts · Class of 1957

Also attended: Morehouse College

Child: Geoffrey Owens (Yale University)

Marilyn Strickland 1962–

U.S. representative from Washington, former mayor

Master of Business Administration

Also attended: University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Ajamu Baraka 1954–

Activist, 2016 Green Party vice presidential nominee

Henry Ossian Flipper 1856–1940

First African American to graduate from West Point

Also attended: The United States Military Academy at West Point

Septima Poinsette Clark 1898–1987

Educator and civil rights activist

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

Ziblim Iddi 1967–

Ghanaian member of parliament

Master of International Affairs and Development, Doctor of Philosophy · Political science

Gloria Long Anderson 1938–

Chemist and Morris Brown College professor

Master of Arts · Chemistry · Class of 1961

Also attended: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Chicago

Akon 1973–

Senegalese-American singer, songwriter and producer

Fletcher Henderson 1897–1952

Jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer

Sibling: Horace Henderson (Wilberforce University)

James Weldon Johnson 1871–1938

Writer, diplomat and early civil rights activist

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

Sibling: J. Rosamond Johnson (The New England Conservatory of Music)

Mase 1975–

Rapper known for Bad Boy Records

Also attended: SUNY at Purchase College

DJ Drama 1978–

DJ, record executive and music promoter

Eva Marcille 1984–

Actress and model, America's Next Top Model winner

Duke Pearson 1932–1980

American jazz pianist and composer

Bobby V 1980–

American R&B singer

Bryan-Michael Cox 1977–

Record producer and songwriter

Hamilton Bohannon 1942–2020

Drummer, producer and 1970s disco-funk figure

Bobby Creekwater 1982–

Atlanta rapper, former Shady Records member

Ellia English 1960–

Actress known for The Jamie Foxx Show

Amy Sherald 1973–

Painter known for portraits of African Americans

Also attended: Maryland Institute College of Art

Marva Collins 1936–2015

Educator who founded Westside Preparatory School