Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin James Says Board of Trustees Has Terminated Him

The president of Morris Brown College says his employment has been terminated by the institution’s Board of Trustees, a move he described as abrupt and unexplained.

In a public statement shared on social media, Dr. Kevin James said the Board ended his service as president without providing “specific cause or substantive explanation.” He expressed concern about the decision, particularly given the timing, noting that the college is scheduled to undergo its accreditation reaffirmation review in the coming weeks.

James also raised broader concerns about governance, stating that his experience reflects a pattern seen at some historically Black colleges and universities where tensions arise between boards and executive leadership. He said those dynamics were evident in this situation.

According to Dr. James, the termination disregards established governance practices and his existing presidential contract, which he said extends through 2029. He stated that he intends to pursue all rights and remedies available to him under that agreement.

Dr. James reflected on his tenure at Morris Brown College, pointing to a series of milestones achieved during his presidency. He said the institution regained accreditation after nearly two decades, restored access to federal financial aid, and increased enrollment from approximately 20 students to more than 540. He also cited seven consecutive years of clean financial audits, improved national visibility, and long-term financial stabilization.

“I dedicated myself fully to the restoration and resurgence of Morris Brown College,” James wrote, adding that he stands behind the progress made during his leadership. While expressing disappointment with the Board’s decision, he thanked alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community partners for their support.

As of this writing, the Board of Trustees has not publicly released a statement addressing James’ claims or outlining its rationale for the decision.

Morris Brown College, founded in 1881, is one of the nation’s oldest historically Black colleges and universities and has undergone a highly publicized rebuilding effort in recent years following financial hardship and loss of accreditation in the early 2000s.