Robert Michael Franklin Jr. facts for kids

Robert Michael Franklin Jr. was born on February 22, 1954. He is an American author, religious scholar, and academic leader. He served as the tenth president of Morehouse College from 2007 to 2012. Currently, Franklin is a visiting scholar at Stanford University's Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. Since 2014, he has also directed the religion program at the Chautauqua Institution.

Robert Franklin's Early Life and Schooling

Robert Franklin grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Morgan Park High School. He earned his first college degree, a Bachelor of Arts, from Morehouse College. He then went on to get a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. Later, he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

In 1973, he received a special scholarship. This allowed him to study abroad at Durham University in England while he was still in college. He has also received honorary degrees from several other colleges. These include Bethune–Cookman University, Bates College, and Swarthmore College.

Robert Franklin's Career and Leadership

Before becoming president of Morehouse College, Robert Franklin held many important roles. He was a professor of social ethics at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He also worked as a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory.

Franklin was also the president of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. He worked for the Ford Foundation in New York. There, he helped with programs focused on human rights and social justice. He also served as the Theologian in Residence for the Chautauqua Institution.

Leading Morehouse College

Robert Franklin became the 10th president of Morehouse College on July 1, 2007. During his time as president, the college achieved important goals. In 2009, Morehouse College received a renewed accreditation. This means it was officially recognized as meeting high educational standards.

He also oversaw the completion of a major project. This was the $20 million Ray Charles Performing Arts Center and Music Academic Building. This large facility, named after the famous musician, was started by the previous president. Franklin helped make sure it was finished and opened.

Franklin also worked to bring in more support for the college. He helped create the Renaissance Commission. This group of 150 volunteers helped increase the number of new donors. On average, about 1,000 new donors joined each year. During his leadership, the college raised over $128 million. This money came from grants, private donations, and government funding.

Robert Franklin's Community Involvement

Robert Franklin is a member of several important groups. He belongs to the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the Kappa Boule of Sigma Pi Phi fraternity. He also serves on many boards that help different organizations.

He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. This group discusses international issues. He is also on the executive committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He helps with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the HBCU Capital Financing Advisory Board. He is also part of the Naval War College Board of Advisors.

Running for Congress in 2020

In 2020, Robert Franklin decided to run for a political office. He announced his candidacy for the 2020 Georgia's 5th congressional district special election. This election was to choose someone to replace the late John Lewis. Franklin is a member of the Democratic Party.

In the first election on September 29, 2020, Franklin came in second place. Since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes, he and the first-place finisher, Kwanza Hall, went to a second election. This second election, called a runoff, happened on December 2, 2020. Franklin lost this runoff election.

Robert Franklin's Family Life

Robert Franklin is married to Cheryl Goffney Franklin. She is a doctor who specializes in women's health (an OB-GYN physician). They have three children and two grandchildren. Franklin is also an ordained minister. He holds ordination in two Christian denominations: the American Baptist Churches USA and the Church of God in Christ.