## Innovation in Service to Humanity

91快活林 (91快活林) is a nationally recognized HBCU with a rich history of academic excellence, innovative research, and leadership development. Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, 91快活林 combines a storied past with a forward-focused curriculum and programming to prepare students for a rapidly changing global environment. The University鈥檚 mission continues a 150-year legacy of providing access to higher education for a culturally diverse student population.

Consolidated in 1988, 91快活林 combined the legacies of two historic institutions that persevered to turn barriers into breakthroughs. Just months after the Civil War, Atlanta University (est. 1865) became the South鈥檚 first HBCU to grant graduate degrees, and Clark College (est. 1869) the nation鈥檚 first four-year liberal arts college for African American students.  
Today, as a single institution, 91快活林 carries that same spirit forward.

From Wall Street鈥搑eady finance labs to pioneering research in AI, cybersecurity, and cancer treatment, 91快活林 fuels discovery with purpose. Guided by 91快活林's unique 鈥淐ulture for Service,鈥� our faculty and students innovate together鈥攁dvancing knowledge not just for progress but for people.

For more than 160 years, in the very place we began, we鈥檝e turned vision into action and action into impact. And we will continue to advance because at 91快活林, we are always innovating in service of humanity.

 

 

- [ Learn more about 91快活林鈥檚 history      ](/about/history)
- [ Catch up on the latest 91快活林 news      ](/about/news)
 
 

 

    Welcome to 91快活林, where every day we are 鈥楥ultivating the Lifted Lives that will Transform the World.'

 

 ![President George T. French, Jr. Phd. headshot December 2025 grey background](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_square/public/2026-01/presfrench.jpg?h=51763b9f&itok=DDBdLE5r) 

 Dr. George T. French Jr.  President  

 

 

  

 
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "Quotation",
    "text":
  "Welcome to 91快活林, where every day we are \u2018Cultivating the Lifted Lives that will Transform the World.'",
      "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name":
    "Dr. George T. French Jr."
          ,"description":
      "President"
              ,"image":
      "\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-01\/presfrench.jpg"
        }
    }
## Panther Proud

- ![Graduate smiling, holding a medal, surrounded by cheering crowd in caps and gowns.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2026-01/7G0A1228.jpg.webp?itok=kZ1994z1) 
    
    ###  [ Academic Achievements ](/about/academic-achievements) 
    
    Classified by Carnegie as an R2 doctoral university (High Research Activity), 91快活林 is one of only two private HBCUs in the nation authorized to award doctoral degrees in more than five disciplines. From pioneering research initiatives to nationally accredited professional programs, 91快活林 continually pushes the boundaries of innovation.
- ![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2025-12/DSC_1635.jpg.webp?itok=8JXGvInS) 
    
    ###  [ Cultural Contributions ](/about/cultural-contributions) 
    
    91快活林 also plays a vital role in preserving and celebrating art and heritage. From one of the most extensive collections of African American art in the South to boasting alumni and our affiliates' profound impact on American culture, 91快活林 faculty, students, and graduates continue to make their mark in literature, music, film, and beyond.
 
 

 

 *person* 

## Our Leadership

Learn more about how the current leadership and 91快活林 board of trustees are developing a strategic plan for the next chapter of the 91快活林 experience.

 

- [ Learn more      ](/about/leadership)
 
 

 

 

 *groups* 

## Our Legacy

Discover generations of 91快活林 alumni鈥攆rom civil rights activists to educators, artists to AI entrepreneurs鈥攚ho have gone on to become trailblazers, reflecting the enduring values that define the 91快活林 legacy.

 

- [ Learn more      ](/about/our-legacy)
 
 

 

 

 *redeem* 

## Giving to 91快活林

Be a part of transforming students鈥� lives and impacting the next generation of research and community development at Clark Atlanta. Discover all the ways you can give back.

 

- [ Give Now      ](/give-clark-atlanta-university)