Notable Alumni of Jackson State University

Laphonza Butler 1979–

Former U.S. senator from California and union official

Bachelor of Arts · Political science · Class of 2001

Bennie Thompson 1948–

U.S. Representative from Mississippi

Master of Science · Class of 1972

Also attended: Tougaloo College

James Meredith 1933–

Civil rights activist, first Black student at Ole Miss

Also attended: University of Mississippi, Columbia University in the City of New York

Rod Paige 1933–2025

7th United States Secretary of Education

Bachelor of Arts

Lucky Igbinedion 1955–

Former governor of Edo State, Nigeria

Also attended: University of Wyoming

Cornell William Brooks 1961–

Lawyer, activist and former NAACP president

Also attended: Yale University, Boston University

Erik R. Fleming 1965–

Former Mississippi legislator and two-time Senate nominee

Victoria Gray Adams 1926–2006

Civil rights activist, Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party founder

Also attended: Wilberforce University

Nerima Wako-Ojiwa 1989–

Kenyan political analyst, executive director of Siasa Place

Journalism, Sociology · Attended until 2010

Judy Sullivan 1943–

NASA biomedical engineer on Apollo 9 and 11

Also attended: Jacksonville State University

Cassandra Wilson 1955–2026

Jazz singer, songwriter and producer

Also attended: Millsaps College

Tramell Tillman 1985–

Actor, Emmy winner for Severance

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Also attended: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Dorothy Moore 1946–

Blues, gospel and R&B singer known for Misty Blue

Emmelie Prophète 1971–

Haitian writer, diplomat and former justice minister

Patrick Kelly 1954–1990

Fashion designer who rose to fame in France

Also attended: The New School

William Brown 1938–2004

African American operatic tenor and voice professor

Also attended: Johns Hopkins University

Walter Payton 1954–1999

Chicago Bears running back and Hall of Famer

Child: Jarrett Payton (University of Miami)

Michael Tinsley 1984–

400 metres hurdles athlete

Anaso Jobodwana 1992–

South African sprinter

Audie Norris 1960–

Former NBA player with the Portland Trail Blazers

Sibling: Sylvester Norris (Jackson State University)

Travis Hunter 2003–

Cornerback and wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Attended until 2023

Also attended: University of Colorado Boulder

Purvis Short 1957–

Former NBA player with the Golden State Warriors

Robert Brazile 1953–

American football player

Jackie Slater 1954–

NFL offensive tackle who spent 20 seasons with the Rams

Child: Matthew Slater (University of California-Los Angeles)