Rapper and entrepreneur T.I., real name Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., has extended his support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with a significant donation to Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. Morris Brown President Dr. Kevin James officially announced the contribution on January 28.
T.I.’s donation was a key part of the more than $800,000 in new public and private funding the college has secured. This financial boost, as reported by AfroTech, is vital for the college’s ongoing rebuilding and revitalization, especially following its major accomplishment of regaining accreditation in 2021.
After the recent funding announcement, President James clearly laid out the HBCU’s core values and strategic priorities. He emphasized their significant importance to the wider philanthropic community, the committed Morris Brown College community, and the institution’s valued partners, all detailed in a comprehensive video shared by the college on its platforms.
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“We move forward not divided but aligned. Anchored in our mission, guided by our Christian faith, and committed to being excellent,” James explained. “To everyone who is listening to the sound of my voice, the work continues. Our immediate priorities are to continue our healing journey while we continue our focus preparation for our upcoming accreditation visit on next week.”
He said the college is undergoing a significant “hard reset” and has received several generous donations, most notably a $50,000 gift from the renowned artist and entrepreneur T.I.
This substantial contribution will be used in two crucial areas, including bolstering the college’s long-term financial endowment and providing much-needed funds for student scholarships, directly impacting the lives of current and future students.
“At a time that Morris Brown College is witnessing great growth, support that helps to enhance our campus security will truly make a difference as we prioritize the safety of our students, faculty, and staff,” James said, according to ClutchPoints. “As Morris Brown continues its resurgence, we are most appreciative of philanthropic support and will continue to be good ground for people to pour into.”
Other philanthropic grants and gifts included a nearly $700,000 grant sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05) through the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill, which will be used to support key community initiatives.
Additionally, the organization received a substantial $60,000 donation from the Sixth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the funds are intended to enhance campus security. This will involve the creation of emergency response plans, technology upgrades, and the recruitment of additional public safety staff.
The donation comes after two unsettling events at the college. First, the school received a series of emailed threats, which were later found to be a hoax.
Second, the college president was abruptly fired by the Board of Trustees in early January 2026. This caused some uncertainty in the institution, which was quickly resolved after he was brought back about two weeks later, just a week before the financial grant was announced.
James claimed his removal at the time was without “providing specific cause or substantive explanation,” and that his presidential contract was effective through 2029, Capital News reported.
The college’s board of trustees wrote in a statement, “After careful review, the Board determined that Dr. James’ separation from the College did not fully comply with the procedural and contractual requirements outlined in his employment agreement. The Board recognizes its responsibility to adhere to established governance standards and to correct actions that fall short of those obligations.”
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