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 — Dr. Leah Barlow, Shyia Simmon, CPA Thurman Brooks, Kyra Brown, Denise Francis, 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.
“UNCF is deeply inspired by the transformative power of the #HillmanTok community and the extraordinary impact of digital educators on TikTok,” Ed Smith-Lewis, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Programs at UNCF, said in a statement received by AFROTECH™. “By amplifying diverse voices and reimagining education in the digital age, TikTok is shaping new pathways for learning and engagement.”
As AFROTECH™ previously told you, HillmanTok — named after the fictional Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Hillman College from the 1980s sitcom “A Different World” — started with Dr. Barlow, a professor at North Carolina A&T University, using the platform to engage with her actual students.
As her videos gained popularity, thousands of users who were not enrolled in her class joined virtually, prompting other minority professors to share additional course offerings.
During their visit to Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett acknowledged Dr. Barlow’s contribution to creating a unique space on TikTok, the platform noted.
Now, educators worldwide — particularly in cities like Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; Brooklyn, NY; and Los Angeles, CA — are helping students combine their love for TikTok with their desire to learn.
There are hundreds of course offerings focusing on Black culture, history, and technology, such as Intro to African American Studies, AI and Afrofuturism, and The Psychology of Self-Care, Wellness, and the Black Mental Health Experience, AFROTECH™ previously shared.
Additional offerings include Financial Literacy, Black Women’s History 101, Tech 101, Makeup 101, and TV Production 101.
Smith added, “This collaboration reinforces our commitment to innovation, the success of HBCUs, and the cultivation of the next generation of leaders. By fostering meaningful connections and expanding access to educational opportunities, UNCF is ensuring that the rich legacy of HBCUs continues to be a catalyst for change and a blueprint for the future.”
