HillmanTok University has made its way from TikTok to Capitol Hill. On March 11, 2025, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) joined forces with TikTok to celebrate the digital community for Black educators using the social media platform to reshape education and inspire approximately 135.79 million U.S. users. Several HillmanTok educators, including Dr. Leah Barlow, Shyia Simmon, CPA Thurman Brooks, and Gyllian Carter, visited Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, for a special reception to celebrate educational innovation and meet with members of Congress, TikTok shared in a news release. @thurman.brooks.cp Good morning Class! Myself and other Hillmantok creators got a chance to go to DC with TikTok to meet with members of congress and discuss the importance of the platform! Very grateful to have met everyone! Thank you to Andria Carter for having us and her hospitality! @Dr. Barlow’s Intro to Af-Am @Resilient Grace @YT: @gylliwilliproductions @Shyia Simmons ♬ original sound – Thurman...

Virginia Union University (VUU) students can become certified doulas on campus, making it the first historically Black university in the state to offer such a class. On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the private, Richmond, VA-based HBCU announced a partnership with the birth center Birth In Color and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to launch a six-month doula training certification program, according to WRIC Channel 8. VUU’s announcement came just ahead of World Doula Week, which runs from March 22 to March 28, 2025. In an interview with AFROTECH™ , Mama Glow Foundation founder Latham Thomas described a doula as a birth “producer” who provides emotional and physical support, education, and advocacy tools during childbirth. While some people view doulas as less educated or non-compliant, Thomas noted that they are just as important as other healthcare professionals, especially in a society where women, particularly Black women, are expected to advocate for themselves. “Black women...

Raleigh, NC -based St. Augustine University (SAU) has lost its appeal for accreditation and will enter a 90-day arbitration process. According to WTVD-11, SAU has been on probation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for two years. In December 2023, the SACSCOC Board of Trustees voted to remove SAU from membership due to financial and governance issues. After a successful appeal, it was reinstated in July 2024 and remained effective through the end of the year. However, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Historically Black College and University announced that the appeal to keep its accreditation had ultimately been denied, per WDTV-11. The university stated that the 90-day arbitration process would ensure that all students graduating by May 2025 receive degrees from an accredited institution. “We have made substantial progress and are confident that our strengthened financial position and governance will ensure a positive outcome,”...

Morgan State University is on a mission to determine the reasoning behind a decline in Black male enrollment and retention in higher education. According to The Baltimore Sun, the Historically Black College and University based in Baltimore, MD, has established a task force aimed at helping reverse the ongoing trend, both at Morgan State and potentially at HBCUs nationwide. Morgan State President David K. Wilson said the trend has become a critical concern for the university’s campus and students are worried as well. “Morgan has long been a leader in providing access and opportunity for Black males seeking higher education,” Wilson said . “The ongoing decline in Black male enrollment at HBCUs is a clarion call for action, and we will not stand idly by.” He continued, “This task force will engage in rigorous research to understand the forces at play and develop evidence-based strategies to ensure that more Black men not only enroll at Morgan but thrive and complete their degrees.”...

Stillman College has received investments to support the success of its students. $2 Million Donation According to Tuscaloosa News, the historically Black college and university (HBCU) received a $2 million donation from founder Rev. Charles Allen Stillman’s great-grandson, Charles M. Stillman, and his wife. The investment will support scholarships, programs, and campus and faculty improvements. “This remarkable gift from Dr. Charles M. Stillman and his wife not only honors the legacy of Rev. Charles A. Stillman but also propels the college toward a stronger and more sustainable future. As part of the funds raised during the Alabama Power Community Giving Reception, it reflects the collective commitment of individuals and organizations who believe in our mission to transform lives through education,” Kimberly Woodard, Stillman College’s vice president of institutional advancement, said in the news release. Stillman College President Yolanda Page commented: “We are deeply honored by...

John Hope Bryant is investing in the businesses of Albany State University graduates. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Bryant has served as the chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE Inc. since 1992. The organization focuses on improving financial well-being in underserved communities, benefiting 2.8 million people and directing $2.4 billion in private capital. During an appearance on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, Bryant emphasized that financial literacy is the new civil rights movement for this generation. “We have got to be as obsessed with this as we were with the right to vote,” he explained. Bryant continues to be a voice and a vessel, and this was displayed on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Albany State University (ASU) in New York. He served as the commencement speaker in front of a crowd of over 700 students, according to WALB News. “John and I are good friends. We’ve known each other for a while,” ASU I nterim President Dr. Lawrence M. Drake II told the outlet. “I also...

Spelman College president Dr. Helene Gayle will not return after taking a leave of absence and is stepping down permanently, the college announced on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The institution did not disclose the reasons for her initial leave or her decision to resign, according to The Associated Press. In a statement, Gayle expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Spelman. “I thank the larger Spelman community for this magnificent opportunity to serve as president. I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the outstanding students and future world leaders who have chosen to attend Spelman College,” Gayle said in a statement, per the AP. “I look forward to my next chapter.” As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Gayle became president in 2022, succeeding Mary Schmidt Campbell. After her leave of absence was announced in October 2024, Rosalind “Roz” Brewer assumed the role of interim president. The Spelman Board of Trustees said they are in the process of selecting a new president,...

A bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence will be taught at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The Triad Business Journal reports this is the only AI degree program at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and it has been approved by the UNC System Board of Governors. North Carolina A&T, the largest HBCU in the world, plans to enroll the first cohort of students in the fall of 2025. The program will be available both on-campus and online, as reported by WFMY-2 News. “Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly part of everyday life with the potential for profound and far-reaching impact on virtually every facet of society,” said Chancellor James Martin II, according to The Triad Business Journal. “Our new bachelor’s degree will prepare students for immediate impact, especially in the critical area of human interaction with AI.” Students planning to enroll can expect the degree to launch with concentrations in advanced...

The South and Northeast are h ome to a significant number of HBCUs . Still, Ohio houses Wilberforce, an HBCU that was erected in 1856 and 1951. The midwestern university offers teacher training and classical education. Once one university, the second school broke off and became its own official school in 1965. Both are still standing thanks to the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church and the Thurgood Marshall Fund . Find out more about the HBCU in Ohio. The First HBCU In Ohio: Wilberforce University Founded by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Methodist Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal churches, Wilberforce University opened its doors in 1856. It is the oldest private HBCU in the United Stated that remains under the direction of African Americans. Named after William Wilberforce, a British abolitionist, the university carries an esteem of freedom and opportunity. Programs in teacher training and classical education are afforded to Black students at a tuition of less than...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCUs ) have long played a vital role in training and empowering Black medical professionals. Offering a strong academic foundation, supportive environments, and access to hands-on experience, HBCU medical schools continue to be instrumental in bridging healthcare disparities and diversifying the medical field. This article highlights some of the top HBCU medical schools in the country that are renowned for their academic excellence, resources, and commitment to serving underserved communities. Howard University College Of Medicine Located in Washington, D.C., Howard University College of Medicine is one of the most prestigious HBCU medical schools. Founded in 1868, it has a longstanding tradition of training African American physicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals. The school offers programs in medicine, surgery, and research, with a strong focus on treating underserved communities. Howard is known for producing...

At the center of the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area lies Maryland, the Free State. A symbol of political freedom and four HBCUs, all of them were established during or before the year 1900. Located in Baltimore, Bowie and Salisbury, these Maryland-based universities, like many of their counterparts, are publicly supported. They have a combined annual economic impact of over $1 billion. Together, they’ve also created over 10,000 jobs for the areas local to the institutions. The history of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have taught us that creating opportunities and environments that champion higher education for Black students is not only fruitful for admitted youth but for surrounding communities. Here are the four HBCUs in Maryland. Bowie State University Bowie State University (BSU), named after its home city, was the first HBCU in Maryland (1865). Located in Prince George’s County, BSU is in the northeastern region of the state. The...

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have long served Black students, non-Black students of color and more recently white students. Of their graduates, several alumni have gone on to achieve incredible careers, ranging from Oprah Winfrey and Samuel L. Jackson to Vice President Kamala Harris . HBCUs have produced some of the world’s greatest speakers, artists and businesspeople. It’s no wonder why rankings exist among the 101 institutions that provide higher education to Black students. From having the most successful alumni to being the hardest HBCU to get into, here are our HBCU rankings. The Highest HBCU Rankings In The Country Each of the HBCUs mentioned in this ranking system has their own specialty and draw for students. Between the universities, each one of them garners funding, which contributes to university/college performance academically and athletically. At eighth place is Xavier University known for being a leader in STEM and health sciences. North...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities ( HBCUs ) have played a pivotal role in educating African American students and fostering leadership within the legal profession. HBCU law schools continue to produce top-tier legal professionals, activists, and judges who advocate for justice and equality. For aspiring attorneys looking for a legal education that combines academic rigor with a focus on social justice and community impact, these HBCU law schools stand out as some of the best in the country. 1. Howard University School Of Law Located in Washington, D.C., Howard University School of Law is the most renowned HBCU law school in the nation. Established in 1869, it has a long history of producing influential leaders, including Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and many civil rights attorneys. Howard’s law program is known for its focus on social justice, civil rights, and its commitment to diversifying the legal profession. With its location in the nation’s capital,...

For the first time, an undergraduate HBCU will be making its way to California. The Austin American-Statesman reports, Huston-Tillotson University has been approved to provide remote coursework to California students starting in January 2025. The Austin, TX-based Historically Black College and University (HBCU) also plans to open a physical campus by August 2025 — pending approval from several California agencies — in partnership with San Diego Unified School District and National College Resources Foundation. Huston-Tillotson University President Melva Wallace states that the school was approached by the foundation and the objective is to create more inclusive career pipelines. “If it’s working for the corporate and workforce, why don’t we take the lead on building the pipeline for workforce by training more California students to enter into the workforce here?” Wallace told the outlet. “Being the first undergraduate HBCU in California, it’s just an amazing thing.” Wallace also...

DIAGEO is opening its pocketbooks to support innovation at HBCUs. In celebration of homecoming week, the company hosted several events to honor the traditions that thrive across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This includes its Alumni Bison Ball and “Off The Yard” tailgate festival held Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 at Howard University as well as a football classic in Alabama on Oct. 25 and another one in Louisiana on Nov. 30, a press release mentions. Photo Credit: DIAGEO “At DIAGEO, we believe a business that includes everyone is a better business. Our business is centered around celebrations, culture and memorable moments,”  Danielle Robinson, Ph.D., director of community initiatives and partnerships at DIAGEO, told AFROTECH™ in an email interview. “HBCU Homecoming and Classic season represents one of those vibrant memorable moments. As alumni from these respected institutions continue to make meaningful impact in society and the business world, we are thrilled to...