Clark Atlanta University and the National Negro Anthem ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ written by CAU alumnus James Weldon Johnson was recently featured on Atlanta’s FOX 5 evening newscast and the station’s morning show Good Day Atlanta. The story was written and produced by FOX 5 anchor Christine Sperow.
Our very own President George T. French Jr., Ph.D., Gay-linen E. Gatewood -Josho , the university’s Executive Director of University History, Traditions and Ceremonials and Dr. Sharon Willis, adjunct Music Professor at CAU were interviewed and shared profound perspectives.
Click Here to view the story.
About Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University was formed with the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College, both of which hold unique places in the annals of African American history. Atlanta University, established in 1865 by the American Missionary Association, was the nation’s first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans. Clark College, established four years later in 1869, was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. Today, with nearly 4,000 students, CAU is the largest of the four institutions (CAU, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine) that comprise the Atlanta University Center Consortium. It is also the largest of the 37-member UNCF institutions. Notable alumni include: James Weldon Johnson, American civil rights activist, poet, and songwriter (Lift Every Voice and Sing, “The Black National Anthem”; Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American award-winning television and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit www.cau.edu.