In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Here are 5 Things You Should Know about Morehouse College

In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Here are 5 Things You Should Know about Morehouse College

Martin Luther King Jr. is known for being one of the most prominent figures in the Civil Rights Movement. He wasn’t just a leader in the fight for racial equality in the United states, but a beacon of light whose words of truth and bold passion very well changed the course of history in the United States. 

We celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. for his accomplishments and his sacrifice every year, highlighting the marches he led, the speeches he gave and the place he died. However today at HBCU Leggings, we would like to highlight a place that  played a significant role in shaping Martin Luther King Jr. as a thinker and a leader. An institution at which he met educators, activists and mentors who would equip him with the tools necessary to fulfill his mission. 

Martin Luther King Jr. entered Morehouse College after passing an early admission test at the tender age of 15. Having been born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s easy to think that Morehouse College was on King’s radar growing up. By the age of 19, King graduated from Morehouse with a Bachelor Degree in sociology and a vision that would change the world. 


Let’s learn more about the place that helped shape Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

  1. Morehouse College is the only four year, liberal arts college that is historically Black and all male.
    Morehouse College was founded in 1867 by two formerly enslaved men – Reverend William Jefferson White and Reverend Edwin M. Morehouse. Originally named Augusta Institute,  the school initially offered basic education and vocational training to newly freed African American men.  In 1879, the school was renamed Morehouse College in honor if its primarily benefactor, Edwin Morehouse. 

  2. Morehouse is a member of the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) which includes Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and the Morehouse School of Medicine. 
    Founded in 1929, The Atlanta University Center Consortium is a non profit organization committed to supporting and furthering the missions of the schools it represents. It’s also the world’s largest consortia of African American private institutions of higher learning.

  3. Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson both attended Morehouse College.
    Samuel L. Jackson graduated from Morehouse College in 1972 followed by Spike Lee, several years later in 1979. Although it seems their friendship began after they had both left Morehouse, Spike Lee and Samuel L Jackson have collaborated on some legendary projects including but not limited to, School Daze, Do the Right Thing and Mo’ Better Blues. Lee and Jackson shared a beautiful moment at the 2019 Oscars where Jackson had the honor of presenting Lee with the award for Best Adapted Screenplay; Spike Lee’s first Oscar win.
  4. Morehouse College has a Human Rights Film Festival
    Morehouse has always been an institution committed to human rights, educational equality  and justice.The Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival (MCHRFF) is an annual film festival focused on  connecting the College with filmmakers, humanitarians, social justice organizations, and festival attendees from all over the world. 2023 marks the 5th annual celebration and this month, the festival honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with an encore movie screening of UNSPOKEN, a new documentary by filmmaker Stephanie Calabrese, detailing the impact the 1946 Moores Ford Lynching, also known as the “last mass lynching in America.” had a small Georgia town. Learn more at https://www.unspoken.film/.

  5. Morehouse College is now ranked #5 among Collegiate Moot Court Teams 
    Earlier this month, the Morehouse College Moot Court team competed against 31 other teams in the Texas Tech Law School Regional Moot Court competition. They rose to the ranks, standing at a prestigious #5 position among collegiate moot court teams nationwide according to the American Moot Court Association. Not, one, not two, but THREE Morehouse College Moot Court teams will be advancing to the national competition later this year. Let’s go Maroon Tigers! 

 

As we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week, let's take a moment to recognize the institution that played a pivotal role in shaping his life's work: Morehouse College. With over 150 years of history, Morehouse continues to uphold its mission of fostering self-confidence, tolerance, morality, ethical behavior, spirituality, humility, a global perspective, and a commitment to social justice. It's through this foundation that Dr. King, a proud Morehouse alumnus, was able to lead with love and compassion for all humanity. Let's celebrate Morehouse's enduring impact and strive to embody its mission in our own lives.

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