Why Attending An HBCU Is the Best Decision I’ve Made So Far
The first time I heard of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), I was 16 years old. My pastor was explaining how his annual HBCU College tour only had a few spots left for students, and if we wanted to go we had to act fast. Originally, I was adamant about not attending. My heart was with my dream college located somewhere in New York City. The HBCUs on the tour were mostly located in the south, and I was determined to stay far away from the humidity. My mom eventually convinced me to go, expressing her wish for me to experience the things she couldn’t at my age. And while I had no clue about the schools, my secret excitement to travel to our Nation’s Capital for the first time led to a decision that has shaped my future.
College Tours And Black Student Culture
A few months after securing my seat on the tour, I landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with a notebook, walking shoes, and an itinerary booked with visits to Bowie State University, Virginia Union University, Morgan State University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Howard University, Coppin University, and Virginia State University. The architecture itself was a culture shock to me. You could see the history of these buildings in each brick and hear their rich legacies in each story the guides shared. I felt the shift from reluctant to attend, to eager to know more when our group accidentally walked into a cafeteria party during the Hampton tour. I’d never seen so many Black people in such a carefree spirit. There was dancing, singing, chatting, studying, and strolling happening all around me wrapped in an air of joy. I intuitively knew I was where I was supposed to be, and that was the day I put in my first college application.
Did I attend Hampton? No. But it’s been 12 years since I first stepped on the soil of my alma mater, Thee Virginia State University, and I still remember everything about it. Closing my eyes, I can recall its distinct scent of damp moss, freshly dropped rain, and, depending where I was on campus, the faint smell of chicken frying. For many Black students, HBCUs represent opportunity, community, and the freedom to excel unapologetically. For me, my HBCU would also bring everlasting friendships, cultural validation and acceptance, and most importantly, a degree my mom can brag about.
An HBCU Provides Opportunities, Friends And Personal Growth
Attending an HBCU was not just a choice, but truly the best decision I ever made. My HBCU has empowered and guided so many Black professionals and creatives into successful careers, myself included. It’s provided thousands of students a safe space to be themselves, an environment that thrives from critical thought, and a permanent place to call home. My HBCU fed my need for not just academic excellence, but a thrilling social life.
I was able to engage in conversations with other intellectuals who had different perspectives on similar experiences. Not only did I find a trusted group of friends, but I also found colleagues to hold me accountable to exceed my best efforts. In the end, it was all about balancing when it was time to study and when it was time to be “mixy on the yard.”
