The basketball legend is generously helping the iconic Atlanta HBCU prepare the next generation of journalists and content creators.
Michael Jordan is known for his legendary dunks, fadeaway jumper and famous Nike kicks. Now, he’s also the latest celebrity philanthropist to pour into HBCUs.
On Wednesday, September 23, Morehouse College celebrated the grand opening of the Morehouse Multimedia Center (MMC) with a program launch and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The state-of-the-art facility, funded by a gift from NBA legend and philanthropist Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand, advances the storied Atlanta institution’s commitment to developing a diverse talent pipeline of reporters, editors, content creators, journalists and media innovators.
The cutting-edge multimedia hub Morehouse Media Center was made possible by a generous 2021 commitment of more than $1 million from the hall of famer and Jordan Brand. This transformative partnership funds scholarships and academic programming specifically designed for Morehouse students pursuing journalism and sports-related fields.
With the opening of this dynamic new space, Jordan and his namesake brand are actively fueling opportunities for future Black journalists. The media center gives students a creative and innovative environment to sharpen their skills and produce culture-shifting content across traditional, digital, and multimedia platforms—ensuring our stories remain in brilliant, capable hands. The launch of the Morehouse Multimedia Center was expected to attract more than 110 students, alumni, industry partners, and Metro Atlanta creatives to get a first-look of the exciting facility.
“We’re pleased to support Morehouse College and its students as they prepare for the next chapter of their careers,” said Shauncey Mashia Stelly, Senior Director Global Purpose for Jordan Brand according to an official Morehouse release. “We hope this space provides students with valuable opportunities to learn, create, and grow.”
“When we launched our journalism major in 2022, we envisioned a program grounded in the liberal arts where students engage the ‘why’ behind storytelling and social impact. The generosity of Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand made it possible to expand our curriculum and build the Morehouse Multimedia Center as the practical complement to that vision,” said Mikki Harris, Chair of the Journalism in Sports, Culture, and Social Justice department and an associate professor at Morehouse. “The Center serves as the bridge between critical thinking and professional practice for our students.
“Beyond the classroom, the Multimedia Center transforms how our faculty conduct and share research by providing multimedia tools to digitize scholarship and a digital platform that expands the reach and impact of our work to global audiences,” Harris said.
The school reports that nearly 120 alumni from the journalism program at Morehouse currently work in media and sports careers; more than 60 graduates have advanced degrees in the field. Morehouse alumni include a who’s who of Black excellence from the groundbreaking media maven Spike Lee, actor Samuel L. Jackson, history maker Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and politician Raphael Warnock.
Designed to amplify Black storytelling and led by Morehouse grad and Inaugural Director and Co-founder, Emani Saucier, Class of 2019, the Center’s training contributed to the success of an interview that received a student Emmy Award for The Maroon Tiger, the Morehouse student newspaper.
“The Morehouse Multimedia Center represents our vision for preparing students not only to participate in the future of media, but to lead it,” said Saucier. “This space is designed to inspire creativity, expand access, and empower students to tell impactful stories that shape culture and drive change.”
