Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Legacy of Education and Empowerment
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) hold a vital position in the landscape of higher education in the United States. Since their establishment in the 19th century, HBCUs have been instrumental in providing educational opportunities to African American students, particularly during times of segregation. They continue to offer a distinct educational experience that honors the culture, history, and traditions of the Black community. These institutions have not only shaped the lives of countless individuals but have also contributed significantly to the social, economic, and educational advancement of the Black community.
The Origins and Evolution of HBCUs
The majority of HBCUs were founded in the South after the American Civil War, frequently with assistance from religious missionary organizations based in the North, notably the American Missionary Association. These institutions emerged during the Reconstruction era, with many being established by Protestant religious organizations. The need for such institutions was debated at the 1847 National Convention of Colored People and Their Friends. Frederick Douglass and Henry Highland Garnet argued that self-segregation would harm the Black community, while Alexander Crummell contended that HBCUs were necessary to provide freedom from discrimination.
The passage of the Second Morrill Act played a crucial role in the development of HBCUs. This act required segregated Southern states to provide African Americans with public higher education schools in order to receive the Act's benefits. In 1862, the federal government's Morrill Act provided for land grant colleges in each state. Educational institutions established under the Morrill Act in the North and West were open to Black Americans. However, 17 states, almost all in the South, required their post-Civil War systems to be segregated and excluded Black students from their land grant colleges.
In the 1870s, Mississippi, Virginia, and South Carolina each assigned one African American college land-grant status: Alcorn University, Hampton Institute, and Claflin University, respectively. In response, Congress passed the second Morrill Act of 1890, also known as the Agricultural College Act of 1890, requiring states to establish a separate land grant college for Black students if they were being excluded from the existing land grant college.
Early HBCUs: Pioneers of Education
Several HBCUs hold the distinction of being the first of their kind. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837, is recognized as the oldest HBCU. Atlanta University - now Clark Atlanta University - was founded on September 19, 1865, as the first HBCU in the Southern United States. The first HBCU owned and operated by Black Americans was Wilberforce University in Ohio, which was founded in 1856. Shaw University, founded December 1, 1865, was the second HBCU to be established in the South.
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Atlanta University was the first graduate institution to award degrees to African Americans in the nation and the first to award bachelor's degrees to African Americans in the South; Clark College (1869) was the nation's first four-year liberal arts college to serve African-American students. The two consolidated in 1988 to form Clark Atlanta University. Between 1861 and 1900, more than 90 institutions of higher learning were established.
The Role of HBCUs in Shaping Leaders and Communities
HBCUs have played a pivotal role in fostering generations of leadership and activism within the Black community. These institutions have historically emphasized civic engagement and provided a nurturing environment for students to develop their potential.
Many HBCUs were founded on the principle that the paramount need in the Black community was educated leaders, and the school’s students have been at the forefront of civic engagement and activism.
Notable HBCUs in Alabama
Alabama is home to more HBCUs than any other state in the country-a total of 11 HBCUs call the Cotton State Home, eight four-year schools, and three two-year schools (Gadsden State Community College, Bishop State Community College, and Shelton State Community College). Among the prominent four-year HBCUs in Alabama are:
Miles College: Located in the suburbs of Birmingham, Miles College is a four-year private university affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME Church). It is one of just 39 HBCUs to have the designation as a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) institution.
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Oakwood University: This Seventh-Day Adventist institution focuses on Christ-centered learning through service and exposes students to groundbreaking research and cutting-edge technology to facilitate innovation and collaboration. Oakwood University is a popular choice for students with an interest in becoming medical doctors-it’s one of the top feeder schools for Black students going to medical school.
Alabama State University: Perhaps best known for its marching band, the Marching Hornets.
Alabama A&M University: Known for its robust campus life with over 50 student-run organizations, its athletics, and its focus on community service.
Talladega University: A private four-year university focused on liberal arts education. The school has the distinction of being Alabama’s oldest HBCU and the first institution in the state to admit qualified persons of any race or ethnic origin.
Stillman College: A four-year private institution in Tuscaloosa that’s affiliated with the Presbyterian Church-Stillman students are required to take 12 hours of religious education to fulfill their general education requirement. Through the college’s three programs, it offers 17 majors and 13 minors, ranging from art to theology.
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Tuskegee University: This is one of the most hallowed institutions in the nation and one of the most recognizable HBCUs-its campus is the only university campus in the country to be named a National Historic Site. Booker T. Washington was the university’s first professor and scientist George Washington Carver served on the faculty. Tuskegee University has produced more African-American generals than any other institution-more than even the service academies-including Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr., the nation’s first Black four-star general.
The Impact of HBCUs Beyond Alabama
Across the United States, HBCUs have made significant contributions to various fields. These institutions have produced numerous historical figures, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Vice President Kamala Harris (Howard), Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State), and Samuel L. Jackson (Morehouse).
HBCUs have also played a crucial role in athletics. Despite representing a small portion of the total football population, nearly 10% of all players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame attended HBCUs. Notable HBCU alumni in the world of professional football include Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Michael Strahan (Texas Southern), and Bob Hayes (Florida A&M).
The Evolving Landscape of HBCUs
While HBCUs were initially founded to educate Black students, their diversity has increased over time. Following the enactment of Civil Rights laws in the 1960s, many educational institutions in the United States that receive federal funding adopted affirmative action to increase their racial diversity.
According to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges edition, the proportion of White American students at Langston University was 12%; at Shaw University, 12%; at Tennessee State University, 12%; at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 12%; and at North Carolina Central University, 10%.
Challenges and Opportunities for HBCUs
HBCUs face several challenges, including competition from predominantly White schools in recruiting high-achieving Black students. In an attempt to correct for racial disparities, many predominantly White institutions actively seek out and court high-achieving students of color.
However, HBCUs also have unique strengths and opportunities. They offer a supportive community that is often lacking at other institutions and provide a unique educational experience that embraces the culture, history, and traditions of the Black community.
Collaborations and Initiatives to Strengthen HBCUs
HBCU libraries have formed the HBCU Library Alliance, which, together with Cornell University, has a joint program to digitize HBCU collections. The project is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Additionally, more historically Black colleges and universities are offering online education programs.
Federal funding for HBCUs has notably increased in recent years. In 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Traditions and Culture at HBCUs
Homecoming is a tradition at almost every American college and university, however homecoming has a more unique meaning at HBCUs. Homecoming plays a significant role in the culture and identity of HBCUs. The level of pageantry and local Black community involvement (parade participation, business vendors, etc.) helps make HBCU homecomings more distinctive. Due to higher campus traffic and activity, classes at HBCUs are usually cancelled on Friday and Saturday of homecoming. Millions of alumni, students, celebrity guests, and visitors attend HBCU homecomings every year. In addition to being a highly cherished tradition and festive week, homecomings generate strong revenue for many Black owned businesses and HBCUs.
Contemporary Issues and Trends
Several contemporary issues and trends are shaping the landscape of HBCUs. A 2024 study by the American Institute for Boys and Men revealed that Black men make up only 26% of HBCU students, down from 38% in 1976. In 2023, the average HBCU 6-year undergraduate graduation rate was 35% while the national average was 64%. In 2015, the share of Black students attending HBCUs had dropped to 9% of the total number of Black students enrolled in degree-granting institutions nationwide. This figure is a decline from the 13% of Black students who enrolled in an HBCU in 2000 and 17% who enrolled in 1980. The percentages of bachelor's and master's degrees awarded to Black students by HBCUs has decreased over time. HBCUs awarded 35% of the bachelor's degrees and 21% of the master's degrees earned by Black students in 1976-77, compared with the 14% and 6% respectively of bachelor's and master's degrees earned by Black students in 2014-15. The number of total students enrolled at an HBCU rose by 32% between 1976 and 2015, from 223,000 to 293,000.
Troy University and its Connection to HBCU History
Troy University, while not an HBCU itself, has a connection to the history of the civil rights movement through its association with John Lewis. To King, Lewis was known as the “Boy from Troy” after he received a note from the young leader that he was denied admission to Troy University. The freedom fighter wanted to sue the school for discrimination. On Nov. 13, 2020, the university posthumously honored Lewis with the John Robert Lewis Hall building.
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