In the 1980’s, there was only one alumni chapter in Metro Atlanta area…the Atlanta Chapter. Since there were enough residents in Dekalb County who wanted to begin their own chapter, interested alums met at the home of Porter and Bobbie Sanford, along with Mrs. Juanita Eber, who was the Alumni Director.

The Clark College Alumni Association-Dekalb Chapter was chartered in 1984 and the first presidents were Co-Presidents Joseph Strawbridge and Bobbie Sanford.

Other past presidents included: Jesse Baskervillle, Marcia Glenn Hunter, Brenda Tolliver, Michael Adams, Henry (Hank) Johnson, Anita Hanshaw, Veverly Byrd-Davis, JoAnn Grayson, Jayan Allen, and Carla Cooper.

The first Fall Conference held in Atlanta was hosted by the Dekalb Chapter in 1987 under the leadership of Jesse Baskerville. The first alumni formal affair, the Red and Black Ball, was held in conjunction with Homecoming and the Fall Conference at the Tom Murphy Ballroom at the World Congress Center. The Red and Black Ball continued until the mid-90’s.

The request for the charter of the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association- Dekalb Chapter was submitted on January 3,1991, and was signed by 44 members. The chapter was chartered on May 19, 1991 and the Chartering Ceremony was held at the Robert Woodruff Library on the CAU campus.

The original proposed Constitution and By-Laws of the chapter were drafted by the Constitution Committee consisting of Chair, Henry (Hank) Johnson, Robert O. Davis, and Marcia Hunter Glenn.

The first "Around the Town Christmas Party", where members would travel to a member’s house for appetizers, a second house for dinner, and a third house for desserts began in December 1991.

By 1993, the Dekalb Chapter had the largest chapter in the history of the CAUAA with 100 financial members (both national and local dues). This record has not been broken.

OTHER HISTORICAL FACTS

Six of the past presidents of the Dekalb Alumni Chapter have been National Officers of the Alumni Association: Brenda Tolliver as President, Jesse Baskerville served as Treasurer, Veverly Byrd-Davis and Jayan Allen served as Corresponding Secretary, JoAnn Grayson as Financial Secretary and Carla Cooper of Alumni Representative of the Board of Trustees.

Four of the past presidents have served on the CAU Board of Trustees: Joe Strawbridge and Brenda Tolliver are former members and Bobbie Sanford and Cara Cooper are presently on the board.

The 1st Annual Spirit of Greatness Gala, an offspring of the Red and Black Ball was held in 2008. Some of the members of the original Steering Committee were past presidents of the Dekalb Alumni Chapter: Bobbie Sanford, Jesse Baskerville, Marcia Glenn Hunter and Brenda Tolliver. This year we celebrated our 10th Anniversary.

The Life Membership Program was started in July 1, 2004 and continue today. The following Dekalb Members are Life Members of the National Association: Dr. Michael Adams, Dr. Hershelle Adams Barrio, Mrs. Christine Callier, Mrs. Jamesa Rainey-Euler, Ms. Joann Grayson, Ms. Gladys Voncille Hodges, Ms. Brenda Tolliver and Mrs. Margaret S. Wooten.

The 1st Annual Prayer Breakfast, a fundraiser for scholarships, was held in 2012.