Students
The first African American Seminarian to graduate (as best as we can tell) is Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Class of 1889.
His Alumni Record of Drew Theological Seminary, 1867-1925 entry:
Wheeler is the first individual listed in this volume as having served in an African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
The first African American undergraduate student to graduate from Drew University is Clarence E. Harrison, Class of 1935.
Some Oak Leaves Yearbook photographs of Clarence E. Harrison:
February 17, 2023 Drew Acorn Article about Clarence E. Harrison:
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Faculty
The first African American professor at Drew teaching Theological and Graduate School students was George D. Kelsey.
Undated image of George Kelsey in his office:
Kelsey began teaching as an Associate Professor of Christian Ethics in 1951 in the Theological School. (The Graduate School was founded in 1955; most of the professors came from the Theological School.)