by Clarence W. Thomas, Jr.
MGI Contributor
thomasjr63@gmail.com
Macon Water Authority District 2 Commissioner Desmond D. Brown is now also his beloved Morris Brown College’s inaugural Mister 1881. Brown’s designation was decided by his fellow students.
Being Mister 1881 and especially the first one in school history is a big deal when considering the following. Mister and Miss 1881 are named in honor of the school’s founding year. They represent non-traditional scholars that serve as ambassadors and historical stewards of school tradition. Both are part of Morris Brown’s royal court that includes Mister and Miss Morris Brown College, Mister and Miss First Attendant, and Class Kings and Queens. And maintaining a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher is mandatory.
Brown, who attended Morris Brown in the 1990s, is a returning student majoring in Psychology on track to graduate in May of next year and describes receiving the designation as a humbling experience, doubling as a reminder that it’s never too late to return to school. “It feels like a dream. To have this happen thirty-something years later makes me so grateful and honored.”
In addition to the mentioned requirements, Mister and Miss 1881 must also complete ambassador training and must not have any active disciplinary sanctions or history of misconduct. They also should demonstrate a strong understanding of Morris Brown history and values.
When asked by the Informer how the school view’s Brown’s designation, especially as the first ever Mister 1881, Student Life and Retention Director Devonne McKenzie in comments provided through Shandra Hill Smith, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships said, “Mr. Brown’s designation is historical because he is laying the foundation for the role while building his legacy at Morris Brown College.”
McKenzie’s response aligns greatly with how Brown has been moving thus far as Mister 1881. His focus has been on meeting student needs. Connecting them in a fun, safe haven that fostered love among Morris Brown students took place during Halloween through an online costume contest he co-created with Miss 1881 Tyrianna Johnson titled “Sundown with the 1881 Crowns.”
Male mental health took center stage thanks to Brown on November 19 during his Movember Day initiative. The well-attended event co-sponsored by the Morris Brown College Psychology Club, along with Miss 1881, focused on helping men address mental health challenges and overcoming them through the utilization of resources, positive connections with other men, and spiritual development. “We must have a connection with a higher power. I’m so happy that we had this program,” he said. “Every third Wednesday, I’ll leave this legacy and I’m so proud to have done this as the first Mister 1881. It was true community engagement at its best.”
Laser beam focus best describes Brown concerning his new school role and graduating in 2026 as a member of the first official graduating class since Morris Brown’s reaccreditation; which he greatly attributes to the school’s 19th president Dr. Kevin James’ commitment to academic excellence. As a former bass drum player with Sticking Sensation, a key music section of the school’s coveted Marching Wolverine Band, he’s even looking into ways of helping to recapture the reactivated marching band’s glory days.
As he pursues his degree, Brown assures the college and his peers that like his effort back home in Macon that got him re-elected last year as the MWA representative of District 2, he’ll go hard for Morris Brown as a student and as Mister 1881.
He added that his historic appointment as Mister 1881 symbolizes his passion for representation and empowerment rooted in his commitment to inspiring non-traditional students to embrace lifelong learning. “Remember me for scholarship and advocacy for students. You can call on me and I’ll advocate for non-traditional students and this college.”
