Howard University Notable alums

Education

HBCU of the Week on AJC Sepia: Howard University Notable Alums

Howard University was founded in 1867. The list of the university's graduates is in a word - impressive.

Howard University is among the most well-known Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country. (Dreamstime/TNS)

The current mayor of Atlanta, Reed was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1998 to 2002 and represented the 35th District in the Georgia State Senate from 2003 to 2009.

The 58th mayor of Atlanta, Franking was the first -- and to date, only -- woman to hold the post. She was also the first black woman to be elected mayor of any major Southern city.

Politician, diplomat, activist and pastor from Georgia. He has served as a Congressman from Georgia's 5th congressional district, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and Mayor of Atlanta.

Thurgood Marshall was the first black Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from October 1967 until October 1991. Before becoming a judge, Marshall was best known for arguing before the Supreme Court and for the victory in Brown v. Board of Education, a decision that desegregated public schools.

Attorney, business executive and civil rights activist. A leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement, he was chosen by President Bill Clinton as a close adviser.

Tony Award-winning actress, singer and stage director, best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. In 2003, she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Lena Younger in "A Raisin in the Sun," becoming the first black woman to win the coveted honor for a dramatic lead role.

Served as the 106th Mayor of New York City, from 1990 to 1993. He was the first and, to date, only African-American to hold that office.

A Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist. Among her best known novels are "The Bluest Eye," "Song of Solomon" and "Beloved."

In 1966, representing Massachusetts, Brooke was elected to the United States Senate as a Republican. He became the first African-American elected to the Senate.

Zora Neale Hurston was a folklorist, anthropologist, and author. Her classic 1937 novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," is required reading. This rare photo was taken by student Alex Rivera in 1939 on the campus of what is now North Carolina Central University. Hurston taught at the school for a year.

Actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

Attorney, politician and current Attorney General of California.

L. Douglas Wilder is an attorney and politician, who served as the first African-American to be elected as governor of Virginia and first African-American governor of any state since Reconstruction. He is also the former mayor of Richmond, Va.

Henson earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. But we all know, love and fear her as "Empire's" Cookie.

Internationally acclaimed Grammy award-winning opera singer and recitalist. A dramatic soprano who’s voice is known around the globe for its power, range, and beauty.

Surgeon, oncologist, and medical educator. He is the Charles R. Drew professor of Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine. In 1979, he was the first African American to serve as national president of the American Cancer Society.

The ninth Premier of Bermuda and former leader of the Progressive Labour Party from 2006 to 2010. He was the Member of Parliament for Warwick South Central from 1993 to 2010.

1 / 18

Credit: TNS

Howard University is among the most well-known Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: Georgia blows out Ole Miss

PHOTOS: Veteran's Day Parade held in Atlanta

PHOTOS: Tucker shuts out Mays in regular season finale

Pandas back on display at Zoo Atlanta

More Galleries

PHOTOS: Morehouse College holds 142nd commencement ceremony

PHOTOS: Morehouse School of Medicine holds commencement ceremony

PHOTOS: KSU graduates class of 2026

PHOTOS: Emory graduates class of 2026