“I went to a predominantly white high school so I definitely went through a culture shock…[M]y first time visiting Del State was the open house. Everyone was in the gym and I turned to my mom and said ‘I’ve never seen this many black people together.’”
HBCU’s. Historically Black Colleges and Univiersities, at least by the official definition.
But what is an HBCU, really?
Well, today I am here to answer just that.
Hello! My name is Tatyana Ford, and I went to Lincoln University. Did you know Lincoln’s the first degree-granting HBCU? While there, I learned about my culture and made long-lasting relationships.
Unfortunately, I had to leave.
My life pulled me in a different direction. However, the short time I spent at Lincoln has impacted my life…forever. Let’s discuss how HBCUs came to be, why they are still important today, and some testimonies from graduates for three different HBCUs, So sit back, relax,and enjoy.
So, How Did HBCU’s Get Their Start?
HBCU’s originated to teach important figures in the community. These were the teachers,preachers,etc. By the 1900’s, there were 90 institutions for black students. It gave them an economic and educational advantage to be something more, while providing a safe space for African Americans to cultivate their identity and culture. Luminaries like Martin Luther King, Langston Huges, Oprah Winfrey, and many others have attended HBCU’s.
As you can see, these institutions were very important to the African American community,and still are today. The sense of community has not gone away, nor has that safe space.
“I remember walking into the campus auditorium for the first time during my college tour: The energy was magnetic. I wasn’t Loud Black Girl, wasn’t Token Minority… I was just a student.”
I was allowed to let loose,and be myself without being told to calm down.
I saw a whole new world of the black elite that I didn’t know existed, learned about Greek Life’s many clubs, their AKA’s,Deltas,Kapas,Omega psi phi, etc. Seeing plots instead of frat,and sorority houses. Seeing a whole team of black cheerleaders!
“These Universities are important because you can go to college and just be a student. You’re not a token black kid you are just a broke college kid. This is important for us because we can be ourselves,in a supportive community.”
And Why Tell Your Story?
“It was important for me to give other students testimonies. To give back to something that gave me so much to be thankful for. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and HBCU’s have more than filled my cup with wonderful opportunities I ‘drink’ from every day.”
There were these three women that went to Howard, Delaware State and, of course, Lincoln University. I asked Alana Staton, “ Why did you choose an HBCU?”
I chose an HBCU because I am a strong, educated black woman.
Growing up in the public school system in New Jersey (Paterson to be exact), I was always The Smart Kid. In kindergarten, they wanted to skip me to first grade. In 5th grade, they wanted me to transfer to a ‘gifted and talented’ school.
In high school, I was the only black girl in the Honors courses…and there were only five of us in the class.
To make things worse, I never had a teacher that looked like me; only a guidance counselor.
I was tired of being just The Smart Black Girl.
I was in the top five in my class. The other four were white.
Before my guidance counselor even started the college application process I already knew I wanted to go to an HBCU. Someone said the phrase back when I was in middle school and after some research into what that meant, I knew that’s where I wanted to go.
When I started my search, Howard always came up and from there on I had my dream school picked out.
“Out of the 26 HBCUs I got accepted to, I chose Howard and was rewarded with an experience like no other. I am proud to say that I have a Bachelor Arts in Political Science with a Minor in Sports Administration from The Illustrious Howard University, the #1 Co-Ed HBCU in the country.“
Would you recommend an HBCU to future generations? If so, why?
I would recommend HBCU’s to future generations, what with the state of the country right now, but understand why students would choose community college or their state schools over HBCU’s
I hope students continue to choose HBCU’s, as my experience at one was like no other. Of course, that’s the same response I get from anyone who has attended any HBCU. We’re a family-oriented atmosphere, where professors looked out for me all the time and still do now that I’m a graduate. The connections you build really last, while also you learn about your history, and every HBCU’s history, that has an empowering story that reminds us of what our ancestors fought for. It definitely helps you to value your education.
HBCU’s are a pillar in the black community, but they are not just for black people. My mentor, who told me about Lincoln, was a wonderful white woman named Kaitlyn Hott. A lot of people do not know the history of HBCU’s, don’t understand why they are still important today,and fail to recognize their impact.
Today my goal was to educate you on all of these subjects. Our ancestors left us this legacy,and it is important for us to keep these legacy’s alive. HBCUs are Historically Black Colleges,or Universities, meaning they were made for us, by us.
That doesn’t mean we want segregation; It means we want a place to learn and celebrate our culture, and welcome any and all who want to join in on that, too!
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