If, as theologian Jaroslav Pelikan said, tradition is the living faith of the dead, and legacy is the impact of past events or actions on a person’s life, the Long family history is steeped in both rich tradition and enduring legacy. This family continues to place high value on education and achievement, repeatedly turning to the institution that was walking distance from their family home to meet their educational and cultural needs. Photography by Barri Jones Written by Pia Forbes 05 LONG FAMILY
Newnan to Atlanta for a better life following slavery, the Long family has—for six generations—turned to Clark College, Atlanta University, and Clark Atlanta University to achieve their educational goals and prepare them for significant achievements. After studying theology at Clark University, Isaac became a pastor, building several branches of his church. He and his wife were parents to Blanche Decatur, an Atlanta University graduate who married William Boston Long, an 1892 graduate of Clark University. Their union marked the beginning of the second generation of the Long family at Clark-Atlanta and produced the third generation. The first, second, and third generations are now ancestors, but the fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of Longs are holding the family’s proverbial banner high and representing their shared alma mater well in their personal and professional lives.
Beginning with Isaac Decatur, who came from nearby
26 Clark Atlanta Magazine
Powered by FlippingBook