ALUMNI

Dr. LaSalle Leffall Jr. — Howard University

First Black president of the American College of Surgeons. Renowned oncologist and Howard University College of Medicine faculty legend.

Kamala Harris — Howard University

49th Vice President of the United States and first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to hold the office. Howard University alumna and symbol of HBCU excellence.

Oprah Winfrey — Tennessee State University

Built a global media empire and became the first Black female billionaire. Her philanthropic investment in HBCU scholarships has opened doors for thousands of students.

Spike Lee — Morehouse College

Iconic director and cultural force in American cinema. Morehouse College alumnus whose films have defined Black storytelling and pushed the boundaries of Hollywood.

Taraji P. Henson — Howard University

Award-winning actress, mental health advocate, and proud Howard University Bison. Star of Empire and Hidden Figures, and founder of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation.

David Satcher — Morehouse College

Former U.S. Surgeon General and Morehouse College alumnus. Led landmark public health initiatives and co-founded the Satcher Health Leadership Institute to advance health equity.

Granite Telecommunications

Robert Hale — Morehouse College

TELECOM

Built one of the largest privately held telecom companies in the US from the ground up. Employs over 2,000 people and has donated millions to HBCU causes.

Sundial Brands / Essence Ventures

Richelieu Dennis — Morehouse College

BEAUTY / MEDIA

Founded Sundial Brands (SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage) and revitalized Essence magazine as a Black-owned media institution. A defining voice in Black consumer culture and entrepreneurship.

Greenwood Bank

Ryan Glover — Morehouse College

FINTECH

Co-founded Greenwood, the digital banking platform built for Black and Latino communities, inspired by the historic Greenwood District of Tulsa. Raised over $40M in funding at launch.

Greenwood Bank Co-Founder / Music

Michael Render (Killer Mike) — Morehouse College

FINANCE / MUSIC

Grammy-winning artist and activist who co-founded Greenwood Bank to bring economic empowerment to Black communities. A powerful voice for HBCU education, financial literacy, and social justice.

H.J. Russell & Company

Herman J. Russell — Clark Atlanta University

CONSTRUCTION / REAL ESTATE

Built one of the largest Black-owned construction and real estate companies in America, shaping the skyline of Atlanta and paving the way for generations of Black entrepreneurs in the built environment.

Slutty Vegan

Pinky Cole — Clark Atlanta University

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Transformed a single Atlanta food truck into a multi-city vegan restaurant empire with national buzz and multimillion-dollar investment. A proud Clark Atlanta University alumna redefining Black entrepreneurship in food.

POLITICS

Stacey Abrams — Spelman College

Founded Fair Fight Action, ran historic Georgia gubernatorial campaign, became a voting rights icon. Her organizing work turned Georgia blue and inspired a generation of civic engagement.

SCIENCE / SPACE

Ron McNair — North Carolina A&T State University

NASA astronaut and physicist, a pioneer of space exploration and one of the first Black Americans to travel to space. His legacy lives on through the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.

ENGINEERING

Jesse Russell — Tennessee State University

Invented the digital cellular phone technology that powers modern mobile communication. His patents laid the foundation for the wireless revolution that connects billions of people worldwide.