Robert Franklin
Born 1954 · Age 71
American author, theologian, ordained minister, and academic administrator; 10th President of Morehouse College (2007–2012).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Chicago, Illinois
Robert Michael Franklin Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois.
Graduated Morgan Park High School (approx.)
Completed secondary education at Morgan Park High School in Chicago (estimated year based on subsequent college graduation).
Received English-Speaking Union scholarship to Durham University
Awarded an English-Speaking Union scholarship to study abroad at Durham University during his Morehouse undergraduate studies.
Earned BA from Morehouse College
Graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts (Morehouse class referenced as '75).
Earned Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School (estimated)
Completed M.Div. at Harvard Divinity School (no year provided in source; estimated based on BA date).
Earned Ph.D. from University of Chicago Divinity School (estimated)
Completed a Ph.D. at the University of Chicago Divinity School (exact year not provided; estimate).
Published Liberating Visions
Authored Liberating Visions: Human Fulfillment and Social Justice in African American Thought (book).
Ordained in two denominations (approx.)
Holds ordination in the American Baptist Churches USA and the Church of God in Christ (ordination years not specified; approximate).
Published Another Day's Journey
Authored Another Day's Journey: Black Churches Confronting the American Crisis (book).
Produced congregational study guide for The Prince of Egypt
Worked to produce an official congregational study guide for the animated film The Prince of Egypt.
Media appearances & commentary (ongoing)
Provided commentary on NPR's All Things Considered and televised commentary for Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasting (dates not given; appearances spanned decades).
Program officer, Human Rights & Social Justice Program at Ford Foundation (approx.)
Served as a program officer in the Human Rights and Social Justice Program at the Ford Foundation (date not specified; approximate).
President of Interdenominational Theological Center (approx.)
Served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta prior to joining Morehouse (exact years not provided).
Professor and senior fellow at Emory University (approx.)
Was presidential distinguished professor of social ethics at Candler School of Theology and senior fellow at Emory's Center for the Study of Law and Religion (prior to Morehouse).
Published Crisis in the Village
Authored Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities (book published the year he began Morehouse presidency).
Inaugurated as 10th President of Morehouse College
Took office as the tenth president of Morehouse College on July 1, 2007.
Established Renaissance Commission at Morehouse
Supported creation of the Renaissance Commission, a volunteer group of about 150 stakeholders that increased new donors by ~1,000 per year.
Oversaw opening of Ray Charles Performing Arts Center (during tenure)
Oversaw completion and opening of the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center and Music Academic Building, a $20 million, 75,000 sq ft facility named for Ray Charles (project initiated by predecessor but completed during Franklin's tenure).
Morehouse College accreditation reaffirmed by SACS
Under Franklin's presidency, Morehouse received reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Joined / served on multiple civic and advisory boards (approx.)
Served on boards and committees including Character Education Partnership, Public Broadcasting of Atlanta (WABE), Council on Foreign Relations, Metro Atlanta Chamber executive committee, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra exec committee, HBCU Capital Financing Advisory Board, and Naval War College Board of Advisors (dates not specified; ongoing civic engagement).
Received multiple honorary degrees (approx.)
Recipient of honorary degrees from Bethune–Cookman University, Bates College, and Swarthmore College (exact conferral years not specified in source; grouped as an approximate event).
Morehouse generated over $128M during tenure
During Franklin's presidency (2007–2012), the college generated in excess of $128 million from grants, fundraising and federal appropriations.
Stepped down as President of Morehouse College
Concluded service as Morehouse College's 10th president on July 1, 2012; succeeded by John Silvanus Wilson.
Visiting Scholar in Residence at Stanford MLK Jr. Research & Education Institute (approx.)
Became a visiting scholar in residence at Stanford University's Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute (mentioned as a current role in sources; year estimated as soon after Morehouse presidency).
Advisor on The Bible miniseries (approx.)
Served as an advisor on the History Channel miniseries The Bible (the miniseries aired in 2013; source mentions his advisory role).
Became Director of Religion Program at Chautauqua Institution
In January 2014, Franklin became director of the religion program at the Chautauqua Institution.
Announced stepping down as Director of Religion at Chautauqua
Chautauqua announced Robert M. Franklin would step down as director of religion following the 2017 season (announcement dated Feb 7, 2017).
Announced candidacy for GA-5 special election
Announced candidacy for the 2020 Georgia 5th congressional district special election to succeed the late Rep. John Lewis; ran as a Democrat.
Published Moral Leadership: Integrity, Courage, Imagination
Authored Moral Leadership: Integrity, Courage, Imagination (book, 2020).
Placed second in GA-5 special election general vote
On September 29, 2020, Franklin placed second in the general special election and advanced to a December runoff with first-place finisher Kwanza Hall.
Lost GA-5 runoff election
Lost the December 2, 2020 runoff election to Kwanza Hall and did not secure the remainder of John Lewis' term.
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