Notable UNCF Alumni

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Samuel L. Jackson and Dr. Ruth Simmons. These are just three noteworthy individuals who have attended one of UNCF’s 37 member institutions.

Read on to see more notable scholars from UNCF-member institutions

Morehouse College graduation photo of Martin Luther King Jr. from 1948

            Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Leader, Class of 1948

Allen University

  • Mary Lee Alexander-Johnson—Educator
  • Honorable Joe Ellis Brown—Retired State House of Representative, South Carolina

Benedict College

  • Dr. Leroy T. Walker—First African American President, U.S. Olympic Committee
  • Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson—Former International President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Bennett College

  • Dr. Susie Powell— Television journalist best known for her Emmy Award-winning work as an ABC News correspondent 
  • Jen-ai Pridgeon-Childress—Author of children’s books

Bethune – Cookman University

  • A. Philip Randolph—Civil rights activist
  • Larry Little—Former NFL player, San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins

Claflin University

  • Ernest A. Finney, Jr.—First African American chief justice, South Carolina Supreme Court
  • Cecil Williams—Noted photographer, publisher, author and artist

Clark Atlanta University

  • James Weldon Johnson—Writer of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
  • Jacque Reid—Radio and television personality, author, public speaker and host of, “The Jacque Reid Show”

Dillard University

  • Dr. Ruth Simmons—Former President, Brown University and first African American to head an Ivy League university
  • Ellis M. Marsalis Jr.—World-renowned Jazz Musician

Edward Waters College 

  • Barbara Lang—Former President, Washington D.C. Chamber of Commerce
  • Betty Holzendorf—Former Florida State Representative

Florida Memorial University

  • Norma Ely—Former FAA, Air Traffic Manager
  • Simone Fitzcharles—Lawyer, Partner in the Litigation and Insolvency and Restructuring Groups

Huston-Tillotson University

  • Dr. James Harris—Nuclear Chemist
  • Honorable Azie Taylor Morton—former Treasurer of the United States

Fisk University

  • John Lewis—Former U.S. Representative (D-GA)
  • Kym Whitley—Actress known for The Cosby Show and Sister, Sister
  • Mandisa—Grammy award-winning recording artist

Interdenominational Theological Center

  • Bishop Charles E. Blake—Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ
  • Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.—Pastor, theologian and author

Jarvis Christian College 

  • Woody Wilson—Distinguished celebrity clothing designer
  • Michelle Stimpson—Author of Boaz Brown, Divas of Damascus Road, The Good Stuff and more

Johnson C. Smith University

  • Pettis Norman—Former NFL tight end for Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers
  • Dr. Bertha Maxwell Roddey—Educator and former Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. president

Lane College

  • Jacoby Jones—former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
  • Jesse Tyson—President and CEO, National Black MBA Association

LeMoyne-Owen College

  • Marion Barry—Former Mayor of Washington, DC
  • W.W. Herenton—First elected African American Mayor, City of Memphis, TN

Livingstone College

  • George E. Battle, Jr.—Sr. Bishop AME Zion Church
  • Elizabeth Duncan Koontz—First Black President, National Educator Association

Miles College

  • Richard Arrington—First Black mayor of Birmingham
  • U. W. Clemons—Alabama’s first Black Federal Judge

Morehouse College

  • Samuel L. Jackson—Acclaimed actor known for roles in Pulp Fiction and the Marvel Cinematic Universe
  • Spike Lee—Filmmaker and director of Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X
  • John David Washington—Actor and former professional football player

Spelman College

  • Keshia Knight Pulliam—Actress best known as Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show
  • Stacey Abrams—Politician, lawyer and voting rights activist
  • Alice Walker—Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Color Purple
  • LaTanya Richardson Jackson—NAACP Image Award-nominated actress and producer