Atlanta, Georgia — April 27, 2026 — Morris Brown College is proud to announce it has received full accreditation reaffirmation for an additional five-year term, extending through 2031, from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, a Virginia-based accrediting agency.
The TRACS Board of Trustees voted to grant reaffirmation to MBC on April 27, 2026, at its annual meeting, signaling the college’s sustained success in academic rigor and strengthening academic progress, in institutional operations, fiscal stability, enrollment growth and governance.
“Through our unwavering faith in God, the dedication and excellence of our faculty and staff, the steadfast support of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, our committed alumni, and the resilience of the Morris Brown spirit, we have made history again,” said MBC President Dr. Kevin James, who has served as chief executive for seven years. “I am honored to lead this great institution. Morris Brown’s reaffirmation of accreditation through 2036, earned during our 145th anniversary year, makes this even more special. It affirms the institution’s adherence to quality and reflects continuous improvement over the past five years since regaining our accreditation following a nearly 20-year hiatus of not being accredited.”
TRACS is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as an institutional accrediting agency for Christian post-secondary institutions, colleges, universities, and seminaries. TRACS is also a member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education, a worldwide association of over 200 organizations active in theory and practice of quality assurance in higher education. The agency is a member of the American Council on Education, with over 1,700 organizations that collectively promote, protect, and advocate for students, faculty and administrators in higher education.
After losing accreditation in 2002, the institution undertook a long and deliberate rebuilding effort — restructuring its operations, restoring academic credibility, and regaining accreditation in 2022.
Bishop Michael Mitchell, chairman of the Morris Brown College Board of Trustees said, “This reaffirmation of accreditation is a powerful validation of the board’s commitment to sound governance, fiscal stewardship and institutional integrity. This is an important milestone for Morris Brown College and a reflection of the work that has been done to strengthen the institution. We will build on this progress and ensure continued strong governance and accountability moving forward.”
Morris Brown College remains focused on delivering a high-quality educational curriculum and expanding programs in high-demand fields such as hospitality management and organizational leadership, areas closely aligned with Atlanta’s growing economy and workforce needs. MBC’s enrollment has swelled from 20 students when James took over in 2019 to more than 520 today. Ninety-two students are slated to graduate in the May 2026 commencement, representing the largest graduating class in 23 years.
About Morris Brown College:
Founded by formerly enslaved religious leaders at Big Bethel AME Church in 1881, MBC is the first college in Georgia to be owned and operated by African Americans. The iconic Fountain Hall and the current Morris Brown campus are where Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois wrote “The Souls of Black Folk” in 1903. Notable alumni include Alberta Williams King, mother of Martin Luther King, Jr., and James Alan McPherson, the first Black writer to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
More info at: MorrisBrown.edu
Last updated on April 28, 2026
