HBCUs

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States established before 1964 to primarily serve African American students. The earliest HBCUs were founded in the late 18th and 19th centuries by religious groups and abolitionists; the oldest continuous HBCU is Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837. They emerged in response to widespread segregation and exclusion from white institutions, providing access to higher education and professional training.

HBCUs enroll a substantial share of Black undergraduates and have been instrumental in developing professionals in fields such as education, science, engineering, medicine, and public service. Notable HBCUs include Howard University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Fisk University, Tuskegee University, Hampton University, and North Carolina A&T State University. They also include public and private institutions and often maintain strong regional and national networks, along with robust programs in teacher education, nursing, and STEM.

In the modern era, HBCUs continue to receive federal and state support, participate in federal financial aid programs, and pursue partnerships with research universities and industry. They face funding disparities and demographic shifts but remain central to higher education access for African Americans and to the preservation of Black scholarly culture. The term remains a standard designation in higher education, although many HBCUs also identify as minority-serving institutions or emphasize their historical mission.