Editor’s note: This article was co-written by Geondre Baldwin, Editor-in-Chief.
The Morris Brown College Board of Trustees fired Dr. Kevin E. James as president of the 145-year-old institution that is still awaiting a reaffirmation of its accreditation this spring.
Monday’s sudden and unexpected dismissal of James caused widespread concern among supporters and alumni of the college, which is part of the Atlanta University Center. The Board immediately appointed Nzinga Shaw, who had been serving as a trustee, as the interim president.
Abrupt ousting
James, who has served as president since 2019, announced the board’s decision on Monday via LinkedIn, claiming he was removed without cause or explanation.
“The timing of this decision is particularly troubling, as the institution is approaching its accreditation reaffirmation review in a few weeks,” James said. “Research and my lived experience demonstrate that many HBCUs have struggled with board overreach and interference. Unfortunately, those dynamics are evident in this situation.”
Morris Brown released a statement the same day, thanking James for his service and acknowledging his role in helping the college through a critical period of transformation. The board of trustees did not provide a specific reason for the termination beyond that statement.
Changing the hands of leadership
Although presidential turnover is common in higher education, the timing and lack of transparency around James’ departure have raised concerns across the AUC.
James helped lead Morris Brown’s return to accreditation in 2022, signaling the college’s comeback and offering a model for other HBCUs.
In the Atlanta University Consortium, Morehouse College recently hired a new president, Dr. F. DuBois Bowman, marking a fresh chapter for the institution after a period of transition. Spelman College remains in search of its next president, leaving one of the biggest HBCUs without permanent leadership, while Rosalind Brewer serves as interim.
Clark Atlanta University, under the leadership of George T. French Jr., continues under one of the longest-serving HBCU presidents in the country, offering a contrast to the volatility seen elsewhere in the consortium.
Shaw, Morris Brown’s interim president, was a longtime member of the board. She served as the college’s commencement speaker in 2023 and holds an honorary degree from the college. Additionally, she has previous professorship experience at Fisk University and the University of Tennessee.
Despite Shaw’s experience, the move raises questions about the college’s future and signals broader implications for HBCUs. As Morris Brown moves forward under this new leadership, questions remain about whether James’ sudden firing could mark a setback to the promises the college appeared to be building after its long awaited return to accreditation.
Brought back from the brink
Established in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Morris Brown is the only college in Georgia that was solely founded by African Americans. In 2002, the college lost accreditation due to financial mismanagement and fraud. For nearly two decades, Morris Brown struggled to remain open. Students were no longer eligible for federal financial aid, and the college faced heavy debts, lawsuits and ultimately filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2012.
When James became president in 2019, Morris Brown was still emerging from bankruptcy and remained unaccredited. Under his administration, the college implemented governance and financial reforms that aligned with academic programs and accrediting standards.
In April 2022, Morris Brown achieved full accreditation, restoring student eligibility for financial aid for the first time in nearly two decades. Initially, a “hard reset,” James called the next phase of the college’s development, a “resurgence.”
For many people, James’ presidency became synonymous with that historic turnaround.
“I dedicated myself fully to the restoration and resurgence of Morris Brown College, and I stand firmly behind the progress we achieved together,” James said in his post on LinkedIn. “Thank you for believing in the vision and the work.”
