Morehouse College proudly announces the inaugural 50 Under 50, honoring a distinguished group of alumni whose leadership, service, and professional excellence exemplify the values of the College.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of nominees, the inaugural class represents Morehouse men who are making a measurable impact across public service, law, education, healthcare, journalism, philanthropy, business, and social innovation. Collectively, these alumni are shaping communities, institutions, and national conversations while remaining grounded in the principle of service beyond self.
The inaugural 50 Under 50 class reflects the national and global reach of the Morehouse alumni network, with honorees residing and leading in major cities across the United States and internationally. From city halls and courtrooms to classrooms, boardrooms, newsrooms, and global forums, these alumni embody leadership defined by purpose, integrity, and impact.
Notably, every member of the inaugural 50 Under 50 class is a Morehouse College donor, underscoring a shared commitment to sustaining the institution that helped shape their journeys. Their collective investment reflects a deep belief in the mission of Morehouse College and its responsibility to prepare future generations of leaders.
The 50 Under 50 initiative celebrates not only individual achievement, but also the enduring legacy of Morehouse men who lead with excellence, give with intention, and remain engaged stewards of the College.
The Inaugural Class of the Morehouse 50 Under 50
Olajuwon Ajanaku '12 • Founder and Creative Director, Eastside Golf
Mohammed Balla '00 • Chief Financial Officer, The City of Atlanta
Geoff Bennett '02 • Co-Anchor & Co-Managing Editor, PBS NewsHour
Grant Bennett '20 • Partnerships & Experiential Program Manager at Google, Founder of The Two-Six Project
The Honorable Nick Brown '99 • Attorney General of Washington State
Charles Carithers '05 • Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs
Austin Clements '05 • Managing Partner, Slauson & Co.
Darrell Comer '11 • Senior Vice President - Talent Representation, CSE Talent
Earl Cooper '11 • Co-Founder, Eastside Golf
Nicholas Crews '05 • CEO, Crews Companies
Golden Daka '20 • Chief of Staff, PlayList
Delmont Early '99 • Founder and Managing Partner, Carter Hill Advisors
Ronald Falls '00 • CEO / LA Executive 9 Group; Mentor and Investor in Residence (Morehouse) /Center for Black Entrepreneurship
Rev. Dr. Willie Francois '09 • Senior Pastor, Fountain Baptist Church | Associate Professor of Theology, Union Theological Seminary
Kennard Garrett '01 • CEO, PACE Recordings/Director of Multimedia, Morehouse College
Carlton Gordon '08 • Business Teacher, Brother Rice High School
The Honorable John C. Grey '04 • Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Corey Hardiman '14 • Vice President, Herrendorf Family Foundation
The Honorable Lee Harris '00 • Mayor, Shelby County, TN
Dr. William Hayes '07 • CEO, Boys Latin of Philadelphia
Dr. Adriel Hilton '03 • Vice President of Institutional Strategy, Columbia College Chicago
The Honorable Chris Hollins '07 • City Controller, City of Houston, TX
Ernest Holmes '19 • President, CodeHouse and Technical Program Manager, Google
Brandon Hudspeth '02 • Chargé d’affaires, a.i. and Deputy Chief of Mission/U.S. Embassy in Namibia/U.S. Department of State
Dr. David Hughes '11 • Associate Professor in the Practice of Sport Management, Gordon College
Randall Jackson '99 • Partner, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz
Harry Johnson '07 • Government Affairs and Public Policy Adroid Global Lead, Google LLC
Dr. Samaad Keys '08 • Senior Program Officer, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The Honorable JC Love '01 • Probate Judge, Montgomery County, AL
Warren Luckett '07 • Founder and Managing Partner, Black Restaurant Weeks
Dr. Brock Mayers '00 • AVP Student Services and Dean of Students, Morehouse College
Stacy Merritt '05 • Famed Civil Rights Attorney
Dr. Artesius Miller '09 • Founder & CEO, Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School Network
Hon. Winfield Murray '98 • United States Immigration Judge, United States Department of Justice
Lodriguez Murray '04 • Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, UNCF
Lt. Col. Timothy Patterson '01 • Deputy Commanding Officer, Fort Knox
Donovan Ramsey '10 • Journalist, Author and Professor at Morehouse College
Bryan Rand '01 • Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rand & Co. Holdings LLC
Elliott Robinson '06 • Partner, Co-Head of Bessemer Growth
Dr. Emmanuel Rowe '02 • Research Electronics Engineer, Foundational Technology Directorate, Air Force Research Lab
Kenneth Saffold '99 • Co-Founder and Managing Partner, o15 Capital Partners
Dr. Thomas Searles '04 • Associate Professor, University of Illinois Chicago and President, National Society of Black Physicists
Marcus Shaw '00 • President and CEO, AltFinance
Davon Snipes '00 • Operations Strategy Lead, Google
Hon. Isaac Taggart '14 • Special Envoy - U.S. Trade & Investment, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs | Republic Of Liberia
Dr. Wesley Thomas '01 • General Dentist, Defense Health Agency, Pentagon, Lieutenant Colonel (O5), United States Army National Guard, District of Columbia, Active
Julien Turner '20 • Co-Owner of Dreadhead Films and Art Director at Abercrombie and Fitch Co.
The Honorable Randall Woodfin '03 • Mayor, Birmingham, AL
Dr. Kevin Woods '99 • Gastroenterologist, Founder, Therapeutic GI Endoscopy & Associates | Tiger Shark Ventures
Marques Zak '05 • Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, the Atlantic Coast Conference
All eligible nominations for the Morehouse 50 Under 50 were reviewed through a rigorous and transparent evaluation process. A diverse Selection Committee comprised of College administrators, faculty members, alumni leaders, and a student representative assessed each nominee to ensure a holistic and equitable review.
Nominees were evaluated using a weighted rubric across four core pillars that reflect the values and mission of Morehouse College:
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Professional Achievement & Leadership (40%)
Demonstrated excellence, innovation, and measurable success within their field or industry. -
Community, Civic & Social Impact (30%)
Meaningful service, advocacy, or initiatives that positively impact communities and advance the public good. -
Commitment to Morehouse College (20%)
Sustained engagement with the College through mentorship, service, philanthropy, or other forms of institutional support. -
Personal Story & Trajectory (10%)
A compelling narrative reflecting perseverance, authenticity, and continued potential for leadership and influence.
Each submission was independently scored by committee members, with the highest-scoring candidates advancing to a final review round. This comprehensive evaluation framework ensures that the Morehouse 50 Under 50 honors not only professional success, but also purpose-driven leadership, service beyond self, and enduring commitment to the College.
Tag(s):
Alumni Achievement