Notable Alumni of Virginia Union University

Douglas Wilder 1931–

66th Governor of Virginia, first elected Black governor

Also attended: Howard University

A. Donald McEachin 1961–2022

US Representative for Virginia's 4th district

Master of Divinity · Theology · Class of 2008

Also attended: American University, University of Virginia-Main Campus

Doris Sands Johnson 1921–1983

Bahamian teacher, suffragette and politician

Also attended: New York University

Mamye BaCote 1939–2020

Member of the Virginia House of Delegates

Also attended: Hampton University

Randall Robinson 1941–2023

Lawyer and activist, founder of TransAfrica

Bachelor of Arts · Sociology · Class of 1967

Also attended: Harvard University, Norfolk State University

Sibling: Max Robinson (Oberlin College, Virginia Union University)

Dwight Clinton Jones 1948–

79th Mayor of Richmond, Virginia

Also attended: United Theological Seminary

Wyatt Tee Walker 1929–2018

Pastor and civil rights leader, King's chief of staff

Also attended: Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School

Channing E. Phillips 1928–1987

Minister and civil rights leader

Also attended: Drew University, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School

Abram Lincoln Harris 1899–1963

Economist, anthropologist and academic

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Zulu Sofola 1931–1995

Nigerian playwright, first female theatre professor in Africa

Also attended: Catholic University of America, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Will Downing 1963–

R&B, soul and jazz singer-songwriter

Mayen Adetiba 1954–

Nigerian actress and civil engineer

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

Child: Kemi Adetiba (New York Film Academy)

Iyanla Vanzant 1953–

Inspirational speaker, author and television personality

Bachelor of Arts

Also attended: CUNY Medgar Evers College, CUNY School of Law

Simeon Booker 1918–2017

African-American journalist

Also attended: Harvard University

Ben Wallace 1974–

Former NBA player, mostly with Detroit Pistons

Also attended: Cuyahoga Community College District

Charles Oakley 1963–

Former NBA player, long-time New York Knick

Virgil 1951–2024

Professional wrestler and actor, known in WWF and WCW

Also attended: University of Iowa, University of Virginia-Main Campus

Larry Doby 1923–2003

First black player in baseball's American League

Also attended: Long Island University

Cornelius Johnson 1943–2017

Former NFL offensive guard

Malcolm Barnwell 1958–

Former NFL wide receiver

Jeremiah Wright 1941–

Pastor emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ

Also attended: Howard University, Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Chicago

Benjamin Mays 1894–1984

Baptist minister, educator and civil rights leader

Also attended: University of Chicago, Dillard University, Bates College

Donda West 1949–2007

Educator and mother of Kanye West

Bachelor's degree

Also attended: Auburn University

Child: Kanye West (American Academy of Art College)

Leontine T. Kelly 1920–2012

First African American woman bishop of United Methodist Church

Also attended: University of North Texas, College of William and Mary