Cheyney University of Pennsylvania became the first HBCU to open in 1837. Like its successors, Hampton, Howard and Spelman , these institutions were developed to provide access to higher education for Black students. Up until then, Black students were either excluded from the higher education experience by predominantly white institutions or one of the few that were admitted. In the 1970s, HBCUs began to see an influx of non-Black students pursuing admission. The percentage of non-Black students has reached close to 30% at some HBCUs with the highest being 90% at the Bluefield Colored Institute . White students have long attended HBCUs and continue to enroll today, yet the history of higher education still begs the question: Can white people go to HBCUs? The History of the HBCU Due to racial discrimination, Black people were largely prevented from pursuing higher education. The development of HBCUs has served the Black community, and continues to, through education and philanthropy....

It’s hard not to be ecstatic about a $237.75 million donation to any educational organization, especially historically black colleges and universities . Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) president Larry Robinson was gleeful and already picturing the possibilities of what the HBCU could do with those funds. The donor, who initially requested to be anonymous, agreed to distribute 14 million shares of stock of intrinsic value plus an additional $61 million over the course of 10 years. Unfortunately, that donation from what we now know as the (former) Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust and Batterson Farms CEO Gregory Gerami didn’t hold up. With minimal information about the CEO and even less about the company, FAMU had to pause the donation. “I take full responsibility for this matter and the ensuing fallout,” Robinson told FAMU trustees, according to a Forbes report . “I wanted it to be real and ignored the warning signs along the way. There was no personal gain, but...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been vital in offering quality education, fostering leadership, and promoting cultural heritage within the African American community. Florida is home to several HBCUs that have made significant contributions to higher education and the development of their students. These institutions provide a diverse range of programs, helping to prepare students for successful careers in various fields. Florida A&M University (FAMU) Florida A&M University (FAMU), located in Tallahassee and established in 1887, is one of the most notable HBCUs in Florida. It offers a wide array of programs, including pharmacy, journalism, agriculture, and engineering. FAMU has recently expanded its STEM offerings by introducing graduate degrees in aerospace engineering , starting in the fall of 2025, through a partnership with Florida State University. This initiative aims to prepare students for careers in aerospace and defense. Additionally, FAMU offers...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been a staple in Black American culture. With touted alums like Vice President Kamala Harris, Chadwick Boseman, Shannon Sharpe, Taraji P. Henson, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., HBCU graduates have positively influenced and impacted several industries. Despite the challenges, HBCUs have shown remarkable resilience. Their deep cultural histories and the long list of influential alums stand as a testament to their enduring importance in the Black academic experience. Why Are Black Males Enrolling Less? However, recent data shows a decline in enrollment among Black males. According to the American Institute for Boys and Men, HBCUs have seen a general enrollment decline of 11% since 2010, a trend that mirrors what’s happening across higher education. However, the drop in enrollment among Black male students is more significant, with a 25% decrease at HBCUs compared to a 22% decline at all institutions. Although the percentage...

HBCUs, an acronym for Historically Black Colleges and Universities , are a transformative educational experience. Getting to be surrounded by peers who look like you within walls that foster black excellence is a priceless gift. HBCUs exist to give Black Americans access to the education and opportunities they were once excluded from. Historical figures from Kamala Harris and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Oprah Winfrey and Langston Hughes have each attended HBCUs. This lends to them making a major impact in culture and society. This is especially true for HBCUs in Texas. While states all over the country are home to over 100 HBCUs, Texas is home to nine of them . Whether you’re scouting for yourself or someone else, here’s what to know about each Texas HBCU and weigh your options. Top HBCUs In Texas: Prairie View A&M University Prairie View A&M University is the top-ranked HBCU in Texas for its academics, sporting impressive graduates like U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and...

When most people think of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), southern schools like Morehouse, Spelman, and of course Howard immediately come to mind. This is understandable, given the history of when most HBCUs began to pop up around this country. Before the Great Migration sent many Black people north in search of prosperity, the bulk of Black Americans lived in the South. So, when white colleges and universities barred Black students from attending, the community answered the call and began to create institutions of higher learning , and eventually also fraternities and sororities. However, the first HBCU was actually Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837. Overwhelmingly, most HBCUs are located in the South, with a sprinkling of schools in a few northern states. But, there is an HBCU on the West Coast, and it’s located in California. The Only HBCU in California Even though there’s just one HBCU in California, it’s an integral one. Charles R. Drew...

Well-known for her career in entertainment, Malinda Williams is now dedicating time to uplifting women in technology. The Pivot Many may recognize Malinda Williams for her work as an actress, which includes credits in shows such as “The Cosby Show,” “Sister, Sister,” “Moesha,” and films like “Soul Food” and “The Wood.” She had been booking gigs for more than 30 years, yet she encountered a period of stagnation during which work became scarce. Money management had always been easy for her, which was helpful when it was time to stretch her earnings, Williams shared in an interview with AFROTECH™ . Eventually, she had to move to New Jersey and ventured into a “difficult” period, which also reignited a new area of interest. “I set out on a continuation of my spirit spiritual journey, but I also went to the bookstore, and that’s where I find a lot of my spiritual material, and a book called ‘HTML For Dummies’ fell off the shelves,” she told AFROTECH™. “I had tinkered around a little bit...

Power company Entergy has announced a new multi-million commitment to advance Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). According to a news release, Entergy plans to deploy $20 million to HBCUs over 10 years. The funding will impact students in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and is intended to support them through education, academic scholarships, career readiness, internships, and workforce development programs. Specific plans include $5,000 in scholarships granted to 20 “high-achieving” students over the next 10 years and an annual grant program to support facility improvements, research, and endowments across HBCUs located in the states where Entergy provides service. HBCU students will also have access to employment opportunities, including 10 internships each year and college recruitment events. “With roots in our service area for more than 100 years, what matters to our neighbors and our communities matters to us,” said Drew Marsh, Entergy’s chair and...

New funding will be allocated to preserve some of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). According to a press release, the National Park Service will allocate $10.7 million to support 15 projects within eight states under the Historic Preservation Fund’s (HPF’s) HBCU grant program. Per its website, the program is intended to “identify and restore historic structures on Historically Black College & University (HBCUs) campuses considered to be the most historically significant and physically threatened.” In fiscal year 2023, Congress provided financial support for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant Program through the fund. HPF, founded in 1977, had been approved for $150 million yearly toward historic preservation grants through 2024 and has contributed $2 billion to these efforts across states, tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. The National Park Service has distributed $60 million in grants since the 1990s to more...

North Carolina’s Fayetteville State University has landed a whopping donation set to support its students further. WTVD-11 reports that the HBCU received an anonymous donation of $750,000. The donation will aid Fayetteville State University’s free summer school called 30/60/90. The outlet details that the summer school program works to assist students with decreasing their student debt. What’s more, it focuses on students earning their degrees early. According to the summer school program’s website, the scholarship covers two courses or up to seven credit hours for undergraduate students, one course or up to three credit hours for graduate and doctoral students in the College of Education, book rental fees, other fees, and on-campus housing and meals. “The financial aid, they help me,” Deborah Cathcart, a rising sophomore student at Fayetteville State University, said per WTVD-11. She continued, “It helps me so much…this school, they introduce such an easy and just a practical way...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are one of the strongest forces in Black culture. Originally created due to Black students being shut out of white academic spaces, these institutions not only educated young adults, but also served as a space for community, networking and instilling cultural pride at a time when being Black in America was significantly harder than it is today. Today, there are 107 HBCUs scattered across the US , with over 228,000 students enrolled in them. Most people are aware of the longstanding schools like Howard University, Spelman College , Morehouse College, and Tuskegee University, but there are countless more across the North and South . And while these schools focus on their academics, the student body also enjoys the social aspect. From homecoming celebrations to a rich Divine Nine community, there’s plenty to do to connect with fellow HBCU students, alumni, and faculty. The school year may be technically over for most colleges right...

HBCU Howard University has received a record-breaking donation. According to a press release provided to AFROTECH™, Howard University has become the recipient of a $5 million donation from Autodesk, a global leader in design and technology, as part of a collaboration the two have shared for six years. The company additionally allows its software to be used in classrooms at no cost to students and educators. The new funding will support the College of Engineering and Architecture’s Design and Make lab to provide software and state-of-the-art equipment, as well as educators who will empower the future engineers. This marks the largest unrestricted philanthropic donation in the college’s history, according to the release. “We’ve been fortunate to have a long relationship with Autodesk that has truly benefited our students. This gift is yet another way in which Autodesk is helping to set our students up for success,” Howard University professor and department chair of mechanical...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are higher learning institutions established in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries primarily for the education of Black Americans. Most HBCUs were founded after the Civil War, during the Reconstruction era, with the purpose of providing higher education opportunities for Black Americans who were previously denied access to mainstream institutions due to segregation and racial discrimination. Today, these same schools still provide opportunities for Black Americans to embrace their culture while getting their education. With many schools existing around the country, certain ones have been regarded as the best HBCUs. The top HBCUs are often ranked based on various criteria such as academic excellence, student outcomes , notable alumni , campus facilities and more. Here is a list of the top 10 best HBCUs, along with what makes them stand out. Spelman College Spelman consistently ranks at number one as the best...

Florida A&M University (FAMU) will be taking more strides to diversify student education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) will be adding new graduate degrees in aerospace engineering beginning in fall 2025 . The decision was solidified during a virtual Academic and Student Affairs Committee meeting held on May 20, 2024, with the introduction of a master’s degree and a Ph.D. program in aerospace engineering through the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. The joint engineering college with Florida State University is the only shared school of its kind. The degree offerings will also support the mission to increase education and degrees in STEM fields at FAMU in accordance with the Florida Board of Governors. The hope is that students will be qualified to pursue careers in aerospace and defense, space missions, manufacturing, spacecraft operations, and architectural...

Savannah State University’s class of 2024 have received a favorable start in their next chapter. According to her Instagram, while serving as commencement speaker, Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan Founder Pinky Cole Hayes shared the news that $8.9 million would be gifted to the Georgia Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates in partnership with Operation Hope and One Million Black Businesses (1MBB). “We are excited about this fantastic opportunity for our students and grateful to Mrs. Cole Hayes for leading this investment opportunity,” Savannah State University Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, said, according to VegOut. The investment will support an “Entrepreneurial Starter Pack,” which will gift students with mentorship from 1MBB, educational resources, a free three-month subscription to Shopify, and an eight-week small business training course that will encompass business plan development and financial management, VegOut notes. “I am passionate about...