A powerful story of family, legacy, and giving is unfolding at Morehouse College and Spelman College, where the Crawford family has made a transformative $2 million contribution to support future generations of students.
Drs. George I. Crawford Jr. ’96 and Marcus H. Crawford ’98—both proud Morehouse alumni—have joined forces with their sister, Dr. Christine Crawford, to make this significant investment. The gift will be evenly distributed, with $1 million going to each institution.
A Gift Rooted in Family and Educational Legacy
For the Crawfords, this donation represents more than philanthropy—it reflects a deep appreciation for the educational experiences that shaped their lives.
George and Marcus Crawford credit their time at Morehouse College for helping lay the foundation for their careers and leadership journeys. Their sister, Christine, shares in that commitment to education and community advancement, making this a unified family effort to give back. Dr. Christine Crawford, is a 1994 alumna of Spelman College, a consultant, and a former member of the Morehouse faculty.
Together, the siblings are honoring not only their personal achievements but also the broader legacy of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), a network of institutions known for cultivating Black excellence.
The Crawford Family: Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders
The Crawford family’s $2 million gift is expected to directly support scholarships, academic initiatives, and student success programs at both colleges. By easing financial barriers, the contribution will help ensure that more students can access the life-changing opportunities these institutions provide.
Morehouse and Spelman have long been recognized for producing leaders across industries, and investments like this one are essential to sustaining that impact.
"There is no greater testament to the Morehouse Mission than seeing our alumni return to the College to uplift the next generation of leaders," said Dr. F. DuBois Bowman '92, 13th President of Morehouse College. "Drs. George and Marcus Crawford exemplify the excellence and integrity we strive to instill in every graduate. Their $1 million investment is a powerful vote of confidence in Morehouse College, fueling our endowment and providing unrestricted support that enables the College to address pressing needs and drive innovation“
"Morehouse has a way of making you believe that you can do anything, then you realize you actually can." I had a phenomenal experience at Morehouse, and it got me exactly where I needed to go. It was always a lifelong goal to be able to make a significant gift to the College, and it is my hope that this won't be the last.“
Dr. Christine Crawford's contribution is also funding the gifts to Morehouse and Spelman. She earned her doctorate in epidemiology from Harvard, served as a faculty member at Morehouse, and worked as an epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She now shares her expertise as a former McDonald's franchisee for 15 years by serving on corporate and non-profit boards.
"Dr. Bill Jenkins, a Morehouse alumnus, is the reason that I learned about epidemiology," said Dr. Christine Crawford. "The classes he taught at the Public Health Sciences Institute at Morehouse were the reason I was equipped to go straight into a doctoral program at Harvard."
She urges other graduates to consider making similar unrestricted gifts. "What the College needs evolves and changes; what students need evolves and changes," she said. "Unrestricted giving allows your gift to grow with the College."
The Crawford's donation to Morehouse supports the "Making Men of Consequence" Campaign, which has raised nearly $370 million to date. The campaign is expanding investment in student scholarships, academic programs, athletics, campus improvements, and faculty research and recruitment.
"We are deeply grateful to the Crawford siblings for their extraordinary generosity and for the spirit of family unity that their gift inspires," said Hodan Hassan, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Morehouse College. "This transformative investment will strengthen the College's future and accelerate our campaign to raise funds for the new Campus Center, which will foster the development of outstanding future leaders."
About Morehouse College
Founded in 1867, Morehouse College is the nation's only college founded to educate men of color. Ranked as Georgia's top liberal arts college for men, Morehouse produces more Black men who go on to receive doctorates than any other college in the country and is a top feeder school for Black men entering prestigious graduate schools and MBA programs. Also named Georgia's #1 small college, Morehouse educates a selective group of some 2,800 students each year, 60 percent of whom come from families with household incomes of $40,000 or less, yet many of whom are highly recruited by Fortune 500 companies.
The College has created more Rhodes Scholars than any other HBCU and has the #1 core curriculum among HBCUs nationally. It is the nation's top producer of Black male graduates in the social sciences, and the top HBCU producer of Black male graduates in business administration, management, operations, English, foreign languages, mathematics, statistics, philosophy, religious studies, and physical sciences. As the national epicenter for thought leadership on human rights and equity, Morehouse is committed to helping the nation address the challenges caused by institutional racism, income and health care disparities, lack of access to capital, detrimental public policy, and the need for high-quality education. Learn more about Morehouse College at morehouse.edu.
About Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, this top-ranked liberal arts college empowers students to think critically, lead boldly, and make a positive impact on the world. Spelman is also widely recognised as the best HBCU for women.
Spelman is known for its rigorous academics, vibrant community, and its legacy of producing change-makers across fields — from STEM and the arts to social justice and business. With its commitment to excellence, innovation, and sisterhood, Spelman continues to inspire generations of leaders ready to transform the future.
Whether you’re walking across campus under the Atlanta sun or diving into research with faculty mentors, at Spelman, you’re part of something bigger — a community built on brilliance, empowerment, and purpose. https://www.spelman.edu/
