As An African American, Should I Attend An HBCU?

How did HBCUs come to be?

What we now call Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUs are those institutions of higher learning founded before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and designed specially to serve the African-American community. This was in response to the demand for college education in a time when the majority of colleges and universities prohibited black students from attending.

Although the era of segregation in U.S. colleges and universities is well behind us, more than 100 HBCUs continue to thrive in the United States and are no longer solely for black students. Excellent universities, such as Howard University in Washington D.C. and Morehouse College in Atlanta welcome students of all races and nationalities who meet the entrance requirements.

Benefits of attending an HBCU

Although the primary reason HBCUs came into existence has passed, there are still many good reasons for African American students, and those of other races, to attend an HBCU.

1. Many HBCUs offer an excellent education.

The majority of HBCUs have excellent reputations in the academic world and offer a top-notch education for their students. As with other types of universities, there are HBCUs to suit a variety of needs, from small, rural campuses to large urban schools.

2. Most HBCUs are located in cities with a large African-American  population.

There are HBCUs in 15 states, the majority of which are located in areas that have traditionally had large African-American populations. Since going away to college is a big change to most students, having a population nearby with a similar culture can be comforting and minimize the shock of being away from home.

3. HBCUs are diverse.

While HBCUs originally had an almost 100 percent black or African-American  student population, today's HBCUs are extremely diverse. Many have a large Hispanic population as well as an African-American one.

4. HBCUs offer an opportunity to continue your family's legacy.

If your father, grandfather or aunt attended college, it may very well have been an HBCU. Attending your family member's alma mater allows you to support an institution that's been important to your family and keep the streak going as a “legacy” student.

Even if you're a first generation college student, you'll still be in good company attending an HBCU. Oprah Winfrey graduated from Tennessee State University. Toni Morrison graduated from Howard University and Samuel L. Jackson graduated from Morehouse College.

Reasons to consider an alternative to an HBCU

As attractive as HBCU can be, especially to African-American students, they aren't right for every black student. Below are just a few things to consider before you mail in your acceptance form.

The majority of HBCUs are located in the southern United States. If you live somewhere else and want to commute from home or you want to experience living and going to school in a northern city, an HBCU isn't going to work for you.

While attending an HBCU may not be the right answer for every black high school student considering college, students shouldn't immediately dismiss such institutions. Historically black colleges and universities are diverse, offer an excellent education, allow you to continue your family's tradition and are generally located in cities that have a sizeable African-American population.

Image is of Diamond Coles, Howard University, Class of 2017 - https://www.myhbcuinterview.com/interviews/diamond-coles-howard-university-2017-communications-with-a-focus-in-public-relations-qZA0du4rKZ