HBCUs Are an Essential Bridge for the Opportunity Gap
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have provided opportunities for African Americans to have a better life since they were first established in the mid-1800s. Being raised by parents who graduated from HBCUs in a state with 11 of these institutions, I’ve experienced the benefits of an HBCU education twofold. My mother and father are first-generation college graduates who grew up in segregated North and South Carolina. For most African Americans during this time, higher education was viewed as a luxury for the academically gifted or reserved for affluent or upper-middle class families. In those days, most African Americans living in my parents’ communities sought work immediately after high school or enlisted in the military to provide a better life for themselves and their families. Both sets of my grandparents wanted more for my mother and father.
When my father arrived on campus at Johnson C. Smith University to enroll, he was unexpectedly told he must pay $200 to enroll. That was a lot of money, and my father wasn’t sure he could come up with the sum. He was down, but not defeated. After telling my grandparents, they mustered up the little money they had to assist him. My maternal grandparents made similar sacrifices. My maternal grandfather, a tobacco farmer, farmed many seasons while my grandmother worked as a beautician. Together, they sent my mother to North Carolina Central University to study nursing. My grandparents’ sacrifices paved the way for my parents to pursue their dreams and attend college. And every day, my siblings and I are the embodiment of their dreams realized.
Knowing the benefits of HBCUs first hand, my parents encouraged us to attend one of HBCUs. My sister attended North Carolina Central University and my brother enrolled in North Carolina A&T State University. After witnessing and experiencing both campus environments, I knew I belonged at an HBCU! NC A&T provided me with a nurturing community where I gained invaluable tools to succeed in my profession and in life. My experience helped me develop a skill set that I use daily while serving as Special Assistant to Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr.
HBCUs continue to bridge the opportunity gap for African Americans who otherwise would not have them and are essential to the wellbeing of our nation. My family is a prime example of this claim.
