March 2026: Black History Month and the Power of Collective Action​

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) were founded in the face of exclusion. In the years following the Civil War and throughout the era of Jim Crow segregation, Black Americans were systematically denied access to predominantly white institutions. Education was not simply limited, it was often intentionally obstructed. Against that backdrop, HBCU’s emerged as acts of resilience and determination. Established primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries, these institutions created pathways to higher education for Black students who were barred from admission elsewhere.

Schools such as Howard University, Fisk University, Spelman College, Meharry Medical College, and Morehouse College not only opened classroom doors, but they helped construct ladders of social mobility. At a time when economic advancement was severely restricted, these campuses became engines of opportunity. They produced teachers who educated generations, doctors who served underserved communities, attorneys who challenged unjust laws, and clergy and organizers who fueled the Civil Rights Movement. For many families, an HBCU education represented the first tangible step toward generational advancement and economic stability.

Their legacy is perhaps most visible through the remarkable individuals who walked their campuses. Alumni include civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (Morehouse College), Vice President Kamala Harris (Howard University), Representative John Lewis (Fisk University), filmmaker Spike Lee (Morehouse College), author Toni Morrison (Howard University), and media icon Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State University). These individuals, among countless others, demonstrate the breadth of excellence cultivated within HBCU’s.

Beyond academics and leadership, HBCU’s have profoundly shaped American culture. They have long been celebrated in film, television, and music, reinforcing their place in the national imagination. Movies such as School Daze and Drumline spotlight the vibrancy of campus life, from marching bands to Greek-letter organizations. Television series like A Different World introduced audiences to the richness of HBCU experiences and inspired increased enrollment during its run. Artists such as Beyoncé have paid tribute to HBCU culture in performances that highlight step teams, majorette dancers, and historically Black fraternities and sororities.

Today, their influence continues. Though HBCU’s represent a small percentage of higher education institutions in the United States, they consistently graduate a disproportionate number of Black professionals in STEM fields, medicine, law, and public service.

To deepen your understanding of this legacy and its ongoing relevance, consider watching the documentary We Are Rising. As you view it, reflect on questions such as:

• What does access to education truly mean, and who has historically been excluded from it?
• How did HBCU’s transform education into a vehicle for social mobility and collective advancement?
• In what ways have HBCU’s influenced American culture beyond the classroom?
• What responsibility do we share in sustaining and strengthening institutions that have carried such transformative impact?