Here is a guide and introduction to America’s historically black colleges and universities from the AJC’s Sepia Facebook page. Learn about the history, traditions and notable alumni in Atlanta and the Southeast, and from the Virgin Islands to Washington DC tand beyond. The guide also includes black Greek fraternity and sorority organizations.
General HBCU coverage
- Gallery: HBCU campus queens
- Gallery: Six Alabama HBCUs you might not have heard of
- Story: Perilous times for historically black colleges
- Story: How Georgia’s HBCUs are faring amid coronavirus pandemic
- Podcasts: How to find the AJC HBCU Journeys episodes
- Story: HBCUs first took root in the North, but needed in South
Find by school
GEORGIA COLLEGES:
Albany State: Founded in 1903 as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute.
Paine College: Founded in 1882 as Paine Institute.
- Paine College fights for its future
- A history of Paine
- First Person, Akbar Imhotep: ‘It’s a miracle that I attended Paine’
- Paine College is rebuilding music program
- Gallery: Paine College notable alums
Spelman College: Founded in 1881, based in Atlanta. Also once called Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary.
ARKANSAS COLLEGES
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff: Founded in 1873 as Branch Normal College.
- First Person: By taking a chance on me ...
- Gallery: HBCU of the Week: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGES
Howard University: Founded in 1867 by Civil War hero General Oliver Otis Howard, the commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau.
- First Person: Howard University: The Mecca
- First Person: ‘I Touch the Future. I Teach.’
- Howard University unveils new Bison
- President’s Statement: The quest for change agents and servant leaders
- Gallery: HBCU of the Week: Howard University notable alums
FLORIDA COLLEGES
Florida Memorial University: Founded in 1879 as Florida Baptist Institute.
- First Person: Guided by principle
- Florida Memorial University’s Barrington Irving, Pilot
- HBCU of the Week: Florida Memorial University
KENTUCKY COLLEGES
Kentucky State University: Founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons.
Simmons College of Kentucky: Founded in 1879 as the Kentucky Normal and Theological Institute.
LOUISIANA COLLEGES
Dillard University: The history of Dillard University dates back to 1869 and its founding predecessor institutions - Straight University and Union Normal School. It was chartered as Dillard in 1930.
- Video: A greeting from Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough
- A history of Dillard University
- Dr. Samuel Dubois Cook, 88, president of Dillard University
- First Person: Tradition drew Atlanta native to Dillard University
- First Person: How Dillard University changed Rock Anderson’s life
- President Emeritus’ Statement: Dillard University President Emeritus Samuel DuBois Cook
- Video: Dillard Univeristy’s Dave Dennis: ‘I’m tired of funerals’
- First Person: Farah Akbar’s journey through Dillard University
- Gallery: Dillard University notable alumni
- First Person: Dillard University and the best years of Delphanie Head’s life
Xavier University of Louisiana: Founded in 1915, Xavier is the only HBCU affiliated with the Roman Catholic church.
- A history of Xavier University of Louisiana
- First Person: ‘I was never a number. I was a person.’
- First Person: For Xavier alum, attending the school was ‘the best decision of my life’
- Tiny Xavier University in New Orleans fills the prescription for more black doctors
MARYLAND COLLEGES
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore: Founded in 1886 as the Delaware Conference Academy.
MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES
Alcorn State University: Founded in 1871 as the first black land grant college established in the United States.
- Alcorn State University - A History
- Message from President Alfred Rankins Jr.
- Gallery: Alcorn State University, then and now
- First Person: For Dr. Shelby R. Wilkes it was “Always Alcorn”
- Gallery: Alcorn State University notable alumni
- Fred McNair named new Braves football coach
Mississippi Valley State University: Founded in 1950 as the Mississippi Vocational College to train teachers for rural and elementary schools and to provide vocational training.
- Mississippi Valley State University -- A history
- Video: HBCU of the Week: Mississippi Valley State University
- Gallery: Mississippi Valley State University notable graduates
Rust College: Founded in 1866 as Shaw University. It changed its name to Rust College in 1882 to avoid confusion.
- President’s Statement: Celebrating the past while forging a future
- A history of Rust College
- First Person: Rust College professor witnesses faith, hope and charity in Haiti
- Story: Rust will forever hold a place in my heart
- Gallery: Rust College students
MISSOURI COLLEGES
Harris-Stowe State University: Founded in 1857. The roots of the school date back to two St. Louis colleges, Harris Teachers College and Stowe Teachers College.
- President’s Statement: A great time to be involved with Harris-Stowe
- Video: From two grows one
- Gov. Nixon signs bill allowing Harris-Stowe to offer graduate degrees
- First Person: ‘It was an academic and career launching pad’
Lincoln University of Missouri: Founded in 1866 by black Civil War veterans, the college in the country to hold that distinction.
NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGES
North Carolina Central University: Founded in 1910 by James E. Shepard as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua.
- A History of North Carolina Central University
- NCCU Founder James E. Shepard in his own words
- “Truth & Service” with NCCU Chancellor Debra Saunders-White
- First Person: Attorney Laurie Robinson Haden found her foundation at NCCU
- Of Popsicles and philanthropy for NCCU couple
- Gallery: ‘No ordinary barnyard fowl,’ North Carolina Central University Notable Alumni
- First Person: N.C. Central University was always home for AJC editor
- First Person: N.C. Central University’s legacy helped mold AJC reporter
- Students: Atlanta baseball player swinging for the academic fences at NCCU
- First Person: N.C. Central University fostered TaKeia Anthony’s purpose
- Video: NCCU’s 9th Wonder of the world
- First Person: Donald Mason found discipline, patience and a queen at NCCU
- Donald E. Mason, 71: Communicator gained trust, mediated conflicts
- First Person: Mike City still bringing sweet music and Sunshine to NCCU
- First Person: How NCCU’s sloping hills and the changing times shaped Junel Dinkins
- First Person: NCCU Eagle soars as security chief of world’s busiest airport
- First Person: From Chidley with love
Winston Salem State University: Founded in 1892 as Slater Industrial Academy in one room with 25 students.
- Winston Salem State University at a glance
- Winston Salem State University: A history
- Chancellor’s Statement: WSSU Chancellor on the importance of black colleges
- First Person: ‘Winston Salem State University is home’
- Video: Winston Salem State University’s Red Sea of Sound
- Video: Winston Salem State University’s Happy Dance
- Gallery: Winston Salem State University’s notable graduates
PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGES
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania: Founded in 1837, the school is considered the oldest black institution of higher education in the country. It was started as the African Institute.
- A History of Cheyney University
- Cheyney University’s president on the Tiffany of HBCUs
- Cheyney University: The oldest HBCU faces an uphill struggle
- Gallery: Where Wolves Roam, Cheyney’s notable alumni
- First Person: Thank God for Cheyney
- Student: Cheyney University perfect place for Norcross resident
- Student: Galloway flying high at Cheyney University
- First Person: Cheyney University made world of difference for Tech’s Tina Payne
- First Person: For SCLC leader, Cheyney University was ‘proof in the pudding’
SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGES
Benedict College: Founded in 1870 as the Benedict Institute.
Claflin University: Founded in 1869 by northern missionaries for the education of freedmen and their children.
TEXAS COLLEGES
Huston-Tillotson University: Founded in 1881, the current school is the result of a merger between Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College.
- Huston-Tillotson health center named for Atlanta entrepreneur
- For one family, Huston-Tillotson is more than a school, it is home
- First Person: On finding legacy and family
- Huston-Tillotson University -- A history
- Gallery: HBCU of the Week: Huston-Tillotson University
- Gallery: Huston-Tillotson University notable graduates
- Video: A history of pride, purpose and passion
- Video: Huston-Tillotson University student masters
- Video: Huston-Tillotson University veteran faculty members chat
Wiley College: Founded in 1873 the school is one of the oldest predominantly black colleges west of the Mississippi.
- A history of Wiley College
- Wiley College embraces distance learning
- Video: The Great Debaters -- An Historical Perspective
VIRGIN ISLANDS COLLEGES
University of the Virgin Islands: Founded in 1962. Based on the definition of an HBCU - schools established before 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African American community - UVI is the "youngest," HBCU.
- The University of the Virgin Islands is more than just sun, sand and sea
- University of Virgin Islands researchers discover reproductive refuge for threatened coral species
- University of Virgin Islands approves first Ph.D. program in creative leadership
VIRGINIA COLLEGES
Hampton University: Founded in 1868 as Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. In 1930, the school began a 50-year run as Hampton Institute.
- First Person: ‘Why would I go from a school with all black people to another school with all black people?’
- Gallery: Hampton University’s National Historic Landmarks
- Gallery: Hampton University’s notable graduates
- Video: HBCU of the Week: Hampton University
- Video: Hampton University Cancer Research Center
WEST VIRGINIA COLLEGES
Bluefield State University: Founded in 1895 as Bluefield Colored Institute. Today, it has the highest percentage of white students than any other HBCU.
- Video: HBCU of the Week: Bluefield State University
- Video: Bluefield State College: A history
- President’s Statement: The passion of Bluefield State College
- Gallery: Bluefield State College notable graduates
- First Person: ‘My future is bright because of Bluefield State’
West Virginia State University: Founded in 1891 as West Virginia Colored Institute, one of the original black land-grant schools.
- A history of West Virginia State University
- Gallery: West Virginia State University notable alumni
- Gallery: 125 years of West Virginia State University growth
- The amazing story of WVSU’s Katherine Johnson
- First Person: How West Virginia State University found Yvette Townsend Ingram
- The legend of Earl Lloyd
- A West Virginia State story in five parts
Find by Greek fraternity
Alpha Phi Alpha: Founded in 1906 at Cornell University, it is the first of all Greek Letter organizations
- Gallery: The Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity
- Gallery: The men of Alpha Phi Alpha
- Gallery: For Alpha Phi Alpha, ‘College days swiftly pass, imbued with mem’ries fond’
- There goes an Alpha Man
- Why a fraternity? Why Alpha Phi Alpha?
- ‘We wanted to do more and be more’
- David Nunnally’s House of Alpha
- The rise of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity
Omega Psi Phi: Founded in 1911 at Howard University, it is the largest black fraternity.
- Gallery: The founders of Omega Psi Phi
- Gallery: The men of Omega Psi Phi
- Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift
- Men of Omega Psi Phi continue to blaze a bold path
- Omega Psi Phi opened doors for GSU’s Anthony Kadri
- Omega Psi Phi aims to keep lamp burning bright
- Video: Ten fast facts about Omega Psi Phi fraternity
- Omega Psi Phi fraternity: A history
Phi Beta Sigma: Founded in 1914 at Howard University by three students.
- Gallery: The men of Phi Beta Sigma and the rise of the Crescent
- Gallery: The men of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity
- Gallery: The founders of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity
- President’s Statement: Brother’s Keepers
- Video: Phi Beta Sigma honors Georgia Congressman John Lewis | Related story
Iota Phi Theta: Founded in 1963 at Morgan State, it is the youngest of the "Divine Nine."
Find by Greek sorority
Alpha Kappa Alpha: Founded in 1908 at Howard University, it is the first black Greek letter sorority.
- First Person: Alpha Kappa Alpha Pearls of Arabia
- Chapter President’s Statement: ‘I was sure there was only one sorority for me’
- Gallery: The founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority
- Gallery: The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority
- Gallery: The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority -- the spread of the ivy
- First Person: For Jennifer C. Thomas, AKA remains ‘faithful to the task at hand’
- First Person: Like mother, like daughter
- First Person: Preserving an Alpha Kappa Alpha legacy
- First Person: ‘Service is what I live for’
Delta Sigma Theta: Founded in 1913 at Howard University, it is the largest Greek letter sorority.
- Gallery: The founders of Delta Sigma Theta sorority
- Gallery: The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta sorority
- Gallery: The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta sorority -- of Pyramids, Elephants and Ducks
- First Person: Briar Davis’ path to Delta Sigma Theta paved by aunt
- First Person: Hard Lessons
- Vice President’s Statement: ‘Delta Sigma Theta spoke to me’
Zeta Phi Beta: Founded in 1920 at Howard University the sorority that is constitutionally bound to Phi Beta Sigma.
- Gallery: The founders of Zeta Phi Beta sorority
- Gallery: The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta sorority
- Gallery: The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta sorority -- the Dawn of the Archonians
- First Person: ‘They became my village’
- President’s Statement: A vision of sisterhood
- First Person: A journey back home
- First Person: Sorority embraces Latina member
- Story: Zeta Phi Beta sorority’s history is a century of service
Sigma Gamma Rho: Founded in 1922 is the only black sorority founded on a white campus, Butler University.
