Is Clark Atlanta University an HBCU? What Atlanta Residents Should Know

Yes. Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. If you live in metro Atlanta, visit the city often, or are considering moving here for school or work, CAU is one of the city’s most important higher-education institutions and a cornerstone of Black academic life.

Below is a clear breakdown of what that means, how CAU fits into Atlanta’s college landscape, and what local residents and visitors might want to know.

What Is an HBCU, and How Does Clark Atlanta Fit In?

An HBCU (Historically Black College or University) is a college or university established before 1964 with the principal mission of educating Black Americans. These institutions have long histories of:

• Expanding access to higher education
• Supporting Black scholarship, leadership, and culture
• Serving as community anchors in their cities

Clark Atlanta University clearly meets this definition. It was formed in 1988 through the consolidation of two historic Atlanta institutions:

• Clark College, founded in 1869
• Atlanta University, founded in 1865

Both were among the earliest historically Black institutions in the United States. Their merger created Clark Atlanta University, which carries forward this legacy as a private, historically Black university.

Clark Atlanta University at a Glance (Atlanta-Focused Overview)

Where Is Clark Atlanta Located in the City?

If you’re navigating Atlanta, Clark Atlanta University sits in Southwest Atlanta, just west of downtown:

• Address:
  Clark Atlanta University
  223 James P. Brawley Drive SW
  Atlanta, GA 30314
• General phone: Often available through the university’s main switchboard (check current contact info before calling, as numbers may change).

The campus is:

• A short drive from Downtown Atlanta and Midtown
• Near I-20 and accessible from Northside Dr SW and Joseph E. Lowery Blvd
• Close to MARTA bus routes, and not far from the Ashby and West End MARTA rail stations

For Atlanta residents, this puts CAU in a relatively convenient spot for commuting, attending public events, or visiting the campus for tours, lectures, and performances.

Clark Atlanta and the Atlanta University Center (AUC)

One key reason Clark Atlanta stands out among HBCUs is that it’s part of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), the largest contiguous consortium of historically Black institutions in the country. The AUC includes:

• Clark Atlanta University
• Morehouse College
• Spelman College
• Morehouse School of Medicine (closely affiliated, though often discussed separately)

If you live in Atlanta, you’ll hear the term “AUC” often in conversations about:

• Local college life
• Student housing on the Westside
• Cultural events and homecoming weekends
• Community partnerships and outreach programs

Clark Atlanta students benefit from being part of this cluster, and the surrounding Atlanta neighborhoods see increased cultural, economic, and educational activity because of it.

What Makes Clark Atlanta an HBCU in Practice?

Being an HBCU is about more than history. For people in Atlanta, Clark Atlanta functions as an HBCU in several practical ways:

1. Mission and Community Focus

Clark Atlanta emphasizes:

• Serving Black students and communities, while welcoming students of all backgrounds
• Research, social justice, and service related to Atlanta and broader urban issues
• Programs and events that highlight African American history, arts, and leadership

This shows up in everything from classroom discussions to community projects with local organizations.

2. Campus Culture and Student Life

For Atlanta-area students considering CAU, the HBCU culture is a major draw:

• Homecoming is a major regional event, drawing alumni and visitors from across the country
• Marching band performances, step shows, Greek life, and cultural festivals are prominent
• The campus often collaborates with nearby AUC schools for events, lectures, and social life

If you’re a city resident near the Westside, you may notice increased traffic, visitors, and local business activity around major CAU and AUC events.

3. Alumni and Local Influence

Clark Atlanta alumni work throughout Atlanta’s business, media, education, nonprofit, and government sectors. For locals, this means:

• You’re likely to encounter CAU graduates in city agencies, classrooms, local newsrooms, and corporations based downtown or in Midtown
• The university frequently partners with Atlanta Public Schools, community groups, and city initiatives

This helps reinforce Clark Atlanta’s role as an Atlanta-focused HBCU, not just a campus isolated from city life.

Academic Programs and Who CAU Serves in Atlanta

While Clark Atlanta draws students nationally and internationally, many students have ties to metro Atlanta or other parts of Georgia.

Common academic areas include:

• Business and Entrepreneurship – relevant to Atlanta’s growing startup and corporate landscape
• Communications and Media – a good fit with Atlanta’s film, TV, and digital media industries
• STEM and Data Science – increasingly important given Atlanta’s tech growth
• Education and Social Work – closely connected to work in Atlanta schools and community organizations

For an Atlanta high school student, CAU can be:

• A local option that still offers a full residential campus experience
• Close enough for family to visit frequently
• Tied directly into local internship and job opportunities with downtown businesses, media outlets, and nonprofits

Visiting Clark Atlanta University (For Locals and Visitors)

If you’re in Atlanta and want to explore an HBCU campus, Clark Atlanta is relatively easy to visit.

Campus Visits and Tours

Prospective students or curious visitors often:

• Schedule campus tours (usually coordinated through the university’s admissions office)
• Attend open house or AUC-wide recruitment events
• Visit during major public events like homecoming, academic conferences, or performances

Always check current visitor guidelines, as universities sometimes adjust campus access, ID requirements, and tour availability.

Getting There

Some common ways Atlanta residents reach Clark Atlanta:

• Driving:

  • Use major nearby roads like Joseph E. Lowery Blvd, Northside Dr, and I-20
  • Parking may be in designated campus lots or garages; expect stricter parking rules during large events

• Public transit (MARTA):

  • Bus routes serving the Westside often stop within walking distance of CAU and the AUC
  • The Ashby and West End rail stations are the closest; many visitors use a bus or rideshare from those stations

If you’re unfamiliar with the area, plan your trip in advance and allow extra time, especially around rush hour or event days.

How Clark Atlanta Compares to Other Atlanta HBCUs

For someone trying to understand HBCUs specifically in Atlanta, it helps to see how CAU fits with nearby institutions:

• Clark Atlanta University – Private, coeducational HBCU with undergraduate and graduate programs
• Morehouse College – Private, all-male HBCU
• Spelman College – Private, all-women’s HBCU
• Morris Brown College – HBCU with a historic campus just north of the core AUC area

All of these are within a short radius on the city’s Westside. If you live in Atlanta, this means:

• A dense concentration of HBCU students and alumni in surrounding neighborhoods
• Frequent shared events, especially between Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, and Spelman
• A strong HBCU presence in Atlanta’s cultural and civic life

For many local families, this cluster gives multiple HBCU options without leaving the city.

When It Matters That CAU Is an HBCU (Practical Considerations)

Understanding that Clark Atlanta is an HBCU can matter in a few real-world ways for Atlanta residents and prospective students:

• Scholarships & Aid:
  Some scholarships, grants, and community programs in Georgia and Atlanta are specifically targeted to students attending HBCUs.

• Networking:
  Professional groups and Atlanta-based alumni associations sometimes focus on or collaborate with HBCUs, including CAU.

• Cultural Fit:
  Students looking for an HBCU experience—with its traditions, support networks, and community feel—often prioritize Clark Atlanta and nearby AUC schools.

• Community Engagement:
  Local organizations that want to work with or support HBCUs often coordinate events, internships, or outreach through CAU.

If you’re planning your education or your community work in Atlanta, recognizing Clark Atlanta’s HBCU status helps you understand where and how it’s most active.

Key Takeaways for Someone in Atlanta

• Yes, Clark Atlanta University is an HBCU with deep historical roots in Black higher education.
• It’s located on Atlanta’s Westside, within the Atlanta University Center, close to downtown.
• Clark Atlanta plays a major role in Atlanta’s academic, cultural, and civic life, especially for Black communities.
• For Atlanta residents, it’s a local option for college, a hub for public events, and a significant partner in community work and professional networks.

If you are living in or visiting Atlanta and are interested in HBCUs, Clark Atlanta University is one of the city’s central institutions to know about and explore.