Fired a Week Ago, Morris Brown President Is Back on the Job

Morris Brown College has reinstated Kevin James as president a week after he was abruptly removed by the Board of Trustees.

“After careful review, the Board determined that Dr. James’ separation from the College did not fully comply with the procedural and contractual requirements outlined in his employment agreement,” the board wrote in a statement.

James decried his termination in a Feb. 12 Facebook post, writing that the board terminated his contract “without providing specific cause or substantive explanation” after a positive annual evaluation and strong performance reviews throughout his presidency. He said the timing was “troubling” for the college, given its upcoming accreditation-reaffirmation review.

In announcing his rehire Tuesday, the board wrote, “Dr. James has served Morris Brown College with distinction for seven years, leading the institution through a period of significant progress, restoration, and renewed national visibility. His leadership, vision, and steadfast commitment have been instrumental to the College’s advancement and stability. The Board looks forward to Dr. James’s continued leadership, vision, and dedication to the College’s advancement.”

“I am honored to continue my seven-year journey serving as President of Morris Brown College,” James wrote in his own message to the community. “Our immediate priorities are to begin the healing journey while continuing our focused preparation for our upcoming accreditation reaffirmation visit in two weeks. We will be ready. The time is now.”