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Middle School Contributes to Morris Brown College
 Friday, May 5, 2017 
Ile Omode middles school students participated in the school's 3rd college tour to Atlanta (the other trips were to Washington, DC) and they visited some of the same colleges as in previous years, including Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark-Atlanta University, Tuskegee University, Georgia State University, and Georgia Institute of Technology. However, this year they added Emory University to their list, as well as Morris Brown College, one of the few HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) founded by African-Americans.
The trip to Emory was inspired by one of Ile Omode's parents, Mama Charemon Cooks, who is an alum of the school, and the trip to Morris Brown was sparked by too many viewings of the movie, "Drumline".
Morris Brown however was a surprise because many felt the school had been closed after losing its accreditation in 2002. The school's director, Baba Jahi Awakoaiye, did some digging and realized the school was still open, although they serve fewer than 50 students today (nearly 3,000 students were enrolled at the college's peak). They are raising funds to rebuild and to regain their accreditation, the loss of which led to an immediate exodus of students, as colleges must be accredited in order for their students to receive financial aid. After contacting Morris-Brown's president, a visit was arranged.
The students toured the campus and were awed by its history. They learned that Dr. W.E.B. DuBois taught at the university and is believed to have written the "Souls of Black Folks" in his office in Fountain Hall (which was originally owned by Atlanta University). Morris Brown was one of the larger campuses in the AUC (Atlanta University Center) which includes Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark-Atlanta, and its campus spanned across a busy thoroughfare. Early in its history students had to cross a busy thoroughfare which divided the campus, and students had to endure racial slurs and motorist who refused to stop for the Black college students. In response, a bridge way was erected.
Today however, across the bridge sits a multistory dormitory that, after the college lost its accreditation, vagrants began to move in and this eventually led to a fire which gutted most of the building. It sits adjacent to the president's home which is also barricaded, as is the college's athletic stadium which had been renovated for the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta. The school's stadium hosted the field hockey games during those Olympics. Now it is surrounded by a chain link fence, and graffiti paints the stadium.
The situation, while dire for some, has not tarnished the drive of Morris Brown's president, Dr. Stanley J. Pritchett, who met with Ile Omode students in the main courtyard. Dr. Pritchett "considered it an honor to meet" with Ile Omode students. He encouraged students to have "great aspirations to be the best you can be", and "to have good character".
He did not shy from the challenges the colleges has experienced. "Morris Brown had to go through a valley experience...we could have easily shut our doors and said okay forget about it, that's another HBCU that's gone down the drain", but instead they persevered. Since 2002, they have had as few as 20 students, but they "have never closed their doors". They have begun to restructure their program offerings.
Along the skyline can be seen Atlanta's newest sporting complex, which sits less than a mile from Morris Brown - the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will cost more than $1.6B when its construction is completed. Dr. Pritchett is hoping to create a partnership with the stadium and provide students with research opportunities, especially in sports science and medicine.
Ile Omode students read extensively about the challenges the school faces to regain their accreditation and wanted to do something to assist. They decided to offer a donation to the school. Admittedly, every student wasn't in complete agreement. Some wondered, "how would our donation help?", while others debated the actual amount, considering that the donation was being withdrawn from their college tour account.
They decided on donating $500, and 7th grader, Selma Apara, was selected to present the check to Dr. Pritchett. Dr. Pritchett said the donation was one he would cherish above even larger donations because it came from young students.
After presenting the donation, every student was pleased, even the ones who were reluctant. Some suggested that the students should have contributed even more.
Students also met with Dr. Gloria Anderson, who is one of the longest serving members of Morris Brown's faculty (since 1968), and she was an early trailblazer in science for African-American women. She teaches in the science department, and her focus is chemistry.
After two previous college tours to Atlanta it was a shame that the school hadn't visited Morris Brown before, but the visit on the campus and with Dr. Pritchett was a highlight of the trip, and hopefully students will be encouraged to continue to support and root for Morris Brown as it continues its comeback from the brink of closure.
Adesina Tyler Says Sep 12, 2017 I like how you transition from the 1st to the second paragraph and how you put the background as part of the introduction. I admired The choice of language especially in the first sentence of most paragraphs. I do have one question, why didn't you add any quotes, was there a reason? |
Selma Apara Says Sep 12, 2017 It was truly an honor and an inspiration to meet the president of Morris Brown. This trip was AMAZING! |
Neranti Gary Says Sep 12, 2017 This is extremely thoughtful to help a fellow black institution. It is an institution that has struggled since 2002, though it still fights to stand. Though $500 may seem little, it is still a generous thing to do help a place with such a rich history. I indeed hope they continue to comeback from the difficult times. |
Myles Moore Says Sep 12, 2017 It was truly empowering to take part in this experience.I hope that one day Morris Brown will get their accreditation back and be the strong HBCU it used to be. |
komari smith Says Sep 11, 2017 I was amazed by the campus . I had a fun time there. I might apply to that school in a couple of years. |
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