Compton received the Fred Luster Sr, Image Award for his work at the Black Heritage Performance in 1999.
While at Morehouse, Compton received the Charles E. Merrill Fellowship, which enabled him to study at the University of Grenoble in France from 1959–1961.
He also participated as a student representative of the United States in the US-Soviet Union Cultural Exchange Program from 1959–1960.
Prior to returning to Chicago, Compton served as the founding Executive Director of the Broome County Urban League in Binghamton, New York.
Compton has served as a member of several corporate and charitable boards of directors, including ComEd, DePaul University, Ariel Investments,[3] ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Big Shoulders Fund,[4] Morehouse Research Institute, and the Seaway Bank and Trust Company.