The existence of intuitions of higher education for Black people can be traced back to the mid-1830s, about three decades before the end of slavery, when Quakers in Philadelphia established the Institute for Colored Youth, which was created to educate free Blacks in their quest to become teachers. Many Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were founded by the American Missionary Association, which included such historic institutions as Atlanta University (1865), Fisk University (1866), Howard University (1867), Hampton Institute (1868), Tugaloo College (1869), and more. In 1871, Alcorn State College, now Alcorn State University, was founded. It was the first Black “land grant” college in America.
Today, there are 108 HBCUs. The state of Alabama has the most with 15. For several decades, there have been questions by some people – Black and White – whether there is still a need for Black colleges and universities in America. After all, segregation of the nation’s colleges and universities has been abolished – to a certain extent – for decades where African Americans can attend predominately White institutions of higher learning where they were once barred.
Yet, for anyone who is thinking about whether to attend a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) this fall, or further in the future, the decision could be a lot easier to make after reading HBCU Experience – The Book, an intriguing collection of essays celebrating the Black College experience. The compilation brainchild of Dr. Tia C.M. Tyree and Christopher D. Cathcart, both of whom are graduates of Howard University. The book is published by Xlibris LLC.
The book’s foreword was written by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, who also graduated from Howard University. The 186-page publication features colorful and heartfelt essays from actual alumni of various HBCUs that run the gamut of experiences – some humorous, some serious. Reflective essays are from graduates of such HBCUs as Central State University, Cheney University (Pennsylvania), Claflin University, Fisk University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Jackson State University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University, Spelman College, Tennessee State University, Texas Southern University, Virginia State University, and Winston –Salem State University.
Just about every aspect of attending a HBCU is captured for readers to gain valuable insight into such areas as dorm life, declaring majors, participating in student activities and leadership organizations, pledging fraternities, meeting new friends, and even dating. There is George Newcomb’s essay, “Why I Chose Howard University”; actress T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh’s essay on “Getting Comfortable at FAMU”; Dr. Winsome M. Chunnu’s “Understanding Diversity at an HBCU”; Dr. Dionne C. (Williams) Clemons’ “Meeting My Roomie”; Christen Robinson’s “Jackson State: More Than Just a School”; and Carolyn Mattock’s “From Mis-Education to Education: My Journey at North Carolina Central University.”
Keymáh’s essay recalls an experience at Florida A&M University as an incoming freshman from Chicago after receiving a scholarship to the famed School of Business & Industry. “Forum was Dean Sybil Mobley’s weekly summit of Florida A&M University’s School of Business & Industry majors, gathered to hear the wisdom of Fortune 500 bigwigs and pose questions to them that would impress the room,” wrote Keymáh, who later changed majors and graduated from FAMU in 1980 as a theater major and went on to Hollywood where she became an original cast member of television’s In Living Color, COSBY and That’s So Raven. “Forum was daunting for someone most comfortable in auditorium settings that left crowds on the opposite side of an orchestra pit. Still, that day, I braved the heat that mocked my business suit and pumps as I hiked past T-shirt and jeans-clad schoolmates dashing about campus.”
Carolyn Mattocks who attended North Carolina Central University, writes “There is a stigma that has been placed on HBCUs as it relates to education,” said the 1991 graduated who majored in history. “The stigma is that if you are attending an HBCU, you are not receiving a good education, which is a part of the mis-education. My journey revealed that I had made the right choice by attending NCCU….It gave me knowledge of self.”
“This book is so powerful in chronicling the real worth of HBCUs, which are still important, still needed, and still making powerful contributions to every sector of society,” said Keymáh, who stars in the upcoming faith-based motion picture, “Revival.” “I’m a huge, huge cheerleader for HBCUs and I speak regularly to people across the country about the continuing relevancy of Black colleges and universities in America.”
Keymáh concluded. “For the people – Black and White – who say there’s no need for HBCUs, they are privileged in America,” the actress said, who has been bestowed an Honorary Doctorate degree from FAMU, and has established an endowment in her name at the school, as well as at McHarry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., one of the nation’s oldest historically black academic institution dedicated to educating physicians and related healthcare professionals. “Those who have this privilege status do not see or feel the constant threat and disparity that Black people in this country face every day, especially in the education of Black people. If someone can’t see and feel that, they can’t understand the need for HBCUs. This book will introduce the HBCU experience and need to people that don’t have any idea about what it’s like to attend and gain a quality education from a Black college or university, while basking in the deep history of Black culture and issues in America.”
HBCU Experience – The Book is available at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, or through local bookstore order desks or log on to www.BlackCollegeBook.com.
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