T.D. Jakes Donates $100K to Morris Brown College, Urges Graduates to “Change the World”

During Morris Brown College’s 2025 commencement ceremony, Bishop T.D. Jakes delivered more than just an empowering message—he made a major impact. The renowned pastor and leader of The Potter’s House surprised the graduating class by announcing a $100,000 donation to the historic Atlanta-based HBCU.

The funds, delivered through the T.D. Jakes Foundation, will cover more than 150 workforce certification exams, opening doors for students to earn credentials in high-demand industries. The donation was a powerful reinforcement of Jakes’ core message: that true legacy isn’t just what we inherit, but what we intentionally invest in others.

Held on May 17 at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, the commencement celebrated 58 graduates who now move from the classroom into the world as changemakers. In a symbolic full-circle moment, Jakes was awarded an honorary doctorate from Morris Brown—home of the Wolverines—an institution that has weathered tremendous storms to reclaim its legacy.

Morris Brown made history in 2022 as the first HBCU to regain its accreditation after a 20-year struggle. Since then, it has reopened its doors not only to traditional students but also to those displaced by the recent closure of institutions like Limestone University. Despite past challenges, the college continues to rise—and contributions like Jakes’ are helping to ensure that future generations can rise with it.

“We’re under attack financially,” Morris Brown leaders noted, emphasizing how timely this donation is as many HBCUs continue to fight for stability and support. Yet Jakes encouraged the graduates to see themselves as the solution—not just for their college, but for the world.

“You’ve come too far not to get up,” Jakes declared. “Fight until you build your business or company, find a cure for cancer, franchise yourself, or get on your feet.”

May proved to be a powerful moment for Atlanta’s HBCU community overall. Civil rights icon Dr. Cornel West inspired Morehouse College graduates with a powerful address on “spiritual wickedness in high places,” while actress and advocate Taraji P. Henson reminded Spelman College seniors to lean on sisterhood in a world that too often tries to wear Black women down.

But at Morris Brown, T.D. Jakes left the class of 2025 with a call to action: build, lead, give, and most importantly—change the world.