young and gifted at a hbcu

Even though I was not planning to go, I remember applying to two colleges as a senior in high school: Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Union University. Accepted to both; however, I didn’t make the plans to attend and late in the summer I decided to attend a community college.

Nonetheless, I cannot recall one conversation about historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs) when I was in high school. Even though I applied to Virginia Union University (Go Panthers!), I didn’t wrap my head around it being a HBCU, let alone...what is a HBCU?

All of my educational degrees were earned and received at predominantly white institutions (PWIs).

As it relates to my career in higher education, the mass majority has been spent serving students as an administrator at a HBCU. I remember taking my first position at a HBCU and the thought that this world existed and I had no idea. I recognize the foundation and the lands on which HBCUs were founded. It is a rich history of pushing through adversity, determination, commitment, and sustainability for the right to educate Blacks! Though now, HBCUs are becoming more and more diverse, they continue to thrive through their mission and commitment to the education of Blacks and those who attend.

To this end, it is my passion and purpose to instill self-confidence and self-advocacy among all students and visitors who walk these campuses. This blog post is an ode to the rich history of HBCUs and prominent future of our HBCU students as a “remix” of the song entitled "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black" performed by Nina Simone.

To Be Young and Gifted at a HBCU

To be young and gifted at a HBCU,

Which started in 1837, an educational dream

To be young and gifted at a HBCU,

183 years later and some eyes still haven’t seen

In the world of higher education

There are thousands of students that lead

Who are young and gifted at a HBCU,

And that's a fact!

Young and gifted at a HBCU

You must begin to tell your story

There's a world not always waiting for you

This is a journey that we all must continue

When you feel unheard and often not seen

Selah, there's a great history you should embrace

When you're young and gifted at a HBCU

The grounds on which you walk are indeed intact

Young and gifted at a HBCU

How others must recognize your truth

At times you must experience Sankofa

That you may be encouraged by your ancestors

That their strength resides in you today

So that you can all be proud to say

To be young and gifted at a HBCU

100+ locations, is where it's at!

Sanfoka

an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana that translates to “You must reach back to reclaim that which is lost in order to move forward” *

“Let us not forget the history and the purpose of ALL our HBCUs so that our students take pride in our campuses and use such wisdom as a foundation for their future towards the greater good of our people and world.”

- Dr. K