Discover the Top 11 Fascinating Facts About HBCUs That Will Amaze You

1. Wilberforce's Resilient History

They say age ain't nothing but a number, and Wilberforce University is living proof of that, with a history as rich as Aunt Jemima's syrup: Named after eighteenth-century abolitionist William Wilberforce, this resilient private HBCU has been proudly educating students since 1856, surviving a catastrophic fire and a Civil War closure to become the oldest African American operated university in the nation.
Source => wilberforce.edu

2. Bolden's Astronaut Journey

You know what they say, "Houston, we have a problem," but in Charles Bolden's case, it was more like "South Carolina, we have a stubborn senator": Initially denied a nomination to the Naval Academy by Senator Strom Thurmond due to his race, Bolden persevered, snagged a vice presidential nomination, and blasted off into an illustrious career as a revered NASA astronaut and administrator.
Source => npr.org

Discover how the fierce actress and superhero Taraji P. Henson uses her platform to advocate for animal rights and fight against animal cruelty! 🐾💥

=> Fun Facts about Howard-University

3. Carlos' Olympic Activism

Before designer gloves and daring outfits on the track, there was the original runway rebellion: John Carlos raised more than just eyebrows during the 1968 Olympics when he gave new meaning to "fist-pump" with a powerful salute: This courageous East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce) athlete not only brought social activism to the Olympic stage but also sprinted his way to a conference championship for his beloved HBCU back in the swinging sixties.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Beyoncé's HBCU Support

If Beyoncé were a college professor, she'd be teaching "Beyo-nomics 101: How to Slay and Support HBCUs": Queen Bey's unwavering devotion to Historically Black Colleges and Universities is showcased through her many initiatives, from partnering with Peleton to offering free digital memberships to 10 HBCUs, initiating the Homecoming Scholars Award Program, granting advance screenings of her Homecoming documentary to select schools, collaborating with Balmain for philanthropic fashion, and orchestrating a $2M scholarship donation with Tiffany & Co. to five universities in 2021.
Source => essence.com

5. Cheyney's Tuition Genius

Before Kanye ever thought about a College Dropout, there was Richard Humphreys, the TUÍTION GENIUS: he left a fat $10,000 in his will back in 1837 to create Cheyney University, the United States' first historically Black university.
Source => diverseeducation.com

6. Marshall's Legal Legacy

Before he was Netflix and chilling on the Supreme Court bench, Thurgood Marshall was laying down some serious groundwork for civil rights: Marshall founded the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 1940, which played a crucial role in ending racial segregation in the US and became a separate entity from the NAACP in 1957, continuing to fight for racial justice ever since.
Source => naacpldf.org

7. A Different World's HBCU Mix

Ever wondered who would win in a battle royale of HBCUs, sitcom-style? "A Different World" was daring enough to attempt it: the show's fictional Hillman University was inspired by a blend of Hampton, Howard, Spelman, and Morehouse, even filming at the latter two campuses, while proudly showcasing the almighty step competition as part of the fun campus life.
Source => tvone.tv

8. Flack & Hathaway at Howard

When soulful serenades met sweet symphonies in the hallowed halls of Howard: Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, both Howard University alumni, began their melodic partnership on Flack's debut album, "First Take," contributing two songs, "Tryin' Times" and "Our Ages or Our Hearts," before achieving widespread fame with their duet album, "Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway."
Source => albumism.com

9. Freeman's HBCU Play

Get ready to feel aFreeman-tastic connection: Morgan Freeman once starred in an off-Broadway play called "The Nigger Lovers," which highlighted the role of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the early civil rights movement, showcasing their essential contributions to African American history and culture.
Source => blackpast.org

10. Stomp the Yard's Greek Stepping

Who needs a dance floor when you've got a yard to stomp on? Step aside, Dirty Dancing, there's a new groove in town: The movie "Stomp The Yard" features the exhilarating and rhythmic art of stepping, performed by talented members of black Greek-letter organizations at Morris Brown College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University.
Source => andscape.com

11. NC A&T's Black Excellence

If you're ever in the mood to rub shoulders with some black excellence, look no further than HBCUs, the real-life Hogwarts for trailblazing African American wizards and witches: North Carolina A&T State University has conjured up remarkable alumni like Jesse Jackson, Ronald McNair, and Taraji P. Henson, who've cast their magic far and wide in politics, science, and Hollywood's enchanted realm.
Source => libguides.library.ncat.edu