The Life of an HBCU Legacy

“My degree from North Carolina A&T bought this house, your food, and your car.”

My parents cinematically fell in love in college and have since made sure their kids knew where it all started and where our luxuries came from. The term, “Aggie born, Aggie bred” is all too familiar to me. I always enjoyed going to games and seeing how they interacted with the lifelong friends they made at A&T. Throughout my childhood I could effortlessly envision myself being a student at North Carolina A&T State University. Then I became a teenager.

At 17 you can imagine the rebellious phase I was going through especially when everyone expects you to attend your parent’s alma mater that also happens to be in your hometown. I convinced myself that I had no desire to attend A&T. My parents made it clear that at the end of the day it was completely my decision, though my dad would jokingly add “You can have WHATEVER you want if you go to A&T!” for a little persuasion.

The truth was that I did want to go to A&T. I was in love with the idea of being at an HBCU. I knew there was nowhere else that could replicate the experience my parents had and that I had seen growing up with my own eyes. I researched other HBCUs in hopes of seeing myself create the experiences I hoped to have but to no avail. I only saw myself at A&T. I saw myself sitting by the bookstore, people watching with friends, walking across campus to class, and enjoying homecoming as a student. When senior year came, I was still subconsciously on the fence.

Still, to appease my parents I started my A&T application. It ended up being the only college application I completed.

Two weeks after I submitted my application, I was admitted as a student!

I knew A&T was where I wanted to be. I happily tell people it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself. I’m proud to be an accomplished daughter of two HBCU alum and even more proud to be able to share my alma mater experiences with my parents. I now find myself speechless when trying to describe that feeling of belonging that I had at my university. I have not once regretted my decision to attend my HBCU. In addition, I began my career after undergrad at an HBCU and it has presented so many opportunities that allow me to demonstrate the lifetime benefits of attending an HBCU. I can’t wait to continue my legacy.