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HBCU EXPERIENCE – THE BOOK
JOIN THE MOVEMENT –
SUBMIT AN ESSAY FOR VOL. 2
Whenever the topic of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities comes up, thoughts of famous alumni naturally come to mind. Names like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Taraji P. Henson, Spike Lee, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, Marian Wright Edelman, and countless others resonate—as they should.
We also take note of the HBCU titans who helped elevate our institutions to their proper place in society and across the globe. Trailblazers like Mary McLeod Bethune, Booker T. Washington, Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, and Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole hold a special place in our history. Beyond that, we celebrate the dynamic marching bands, majestic Homecomings, fabled Greek-letter organizations, and the rich traditions that make HBCU culture uniquely our own. And, of course, we honor the endless generations of graduates our schools have produced—the teachers, engineers, doctors, attorneys, artists, scientists, scholars, writers, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders who launched their journeys on our campuses.
Yet, what is often missing from these broader discussions is the power of the individual, everyday experiences we each had at our respective schools—personal stories that, together, shape our collective narrative.
A few years ago, HBCU graduates Dr. Tia C. M. Tyree and Christopher D. Cathcart joined forces to edit a heartfelt collection of essays written by alumni to capture those very moments. HBCU Experience – The Book brings to life the realities of campus life as told by the graduates themselves: dorm living, dating, work-study, activism, road trips, Greek life, athletics, and so much more. Volume 1 captured a powerful slice of that history, and Volume 2 expands the legacy—because no single book could ever capture the full depth of our story.
HBCU Experience – The Book is a celebration of Black college life, and we welcome your voice and participation in this ongoing movement.
Visit the Submissions Page for Details - Make sure Your School and Story are Included in VOl. 2
Ring Any Bells?
Road Trips
Dating
Protest
Band Life
Dorm living
Work Study
Homecoming
Sports
Mentor/Mentee - Relationships
Off-Campus Living
Exchange Programs
Spring Break
Parties and Social Life
The Side Hustle
Friendships
Tragedy & Crisis
Family Support
Cramming
Pledging
Graduating
...and much more!
Vol. 2 is
Under Construction
Because there was just no way to put all our wonderful HBCU stories in one singular edition, work on Volume 2 is underway.
The lifeblood of our schools is best defined by the hopes and dreams, the pitfalls and the perils; the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of those who walked the hallowed halls of our HBCUs.
As caretakers of our rich, collective history, we must ensure that our stories remain among the most reliable means to convey the importance of our experiences and, through that, our institutions overall. These books are but a small, yet earnest effort to that end.
If you attended an HBCU, please consider contributing an essay to this important collection. Become a part of this movement. Visit the Submission Guidelines page for details.
Consider it homework :-).
Support Our HBUCs
THE BREAKTHROUGH ANTHOLOGY
DETAILS SUCH EXPERIENCES AS:
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
What would our schools be without our teams battling it out in our name? Did you lace up at school, defend your ground, and bring the glory back to your beloved institution? Tales of sports and other college activities will always be popular. Please share yours with us.
Pictured here is Mr. John T. Crawford, AKA "T-Bone," a force on Johnson C. Smith's basketball team, circa 1960.
He was kind enough to contribute an essay to Vol. 1.
LOVE AND ROMANCE
How many of you met Mr./Mrs. right at your HBCU? Also, how many Mr./Mrs. wrongs paved the way to your keeper? The stories of love found, lost, and "never shoulda happen" are reader favorites. Don't be afraid, you can always change the names to protect the innocent (or not so innocent), but dating was, without doubt, a major part of our HBCU experience. Go ahead, get that story off your chest
and into Vol. 2.
LIFE ON THE "YARD"
Life on "The Yard" is a central theme of the HBCU experience. Hanging with friends, going to class (or not), hitting the library, or just chilling, we all can relate. In fact, campus life extends to dorm living, the nearby neighborhood (corner store visits anyone?), and all things associated with that small city known as your college or university. It also includes running for student government, joining a club, registering for class, securing financial aid, attending festivals and events, and so much more. There's a never-ending flow of essays streaming from "Yard" life – share one or more of yours.
ACTIVISM AND PROTEST
Be it taking on our own college administrations, the local government and/or businesses, or the powers that be in Washington, DC, students at our Black colleges have often set the national tone for "fighting the power." Our voices and energy helped desegregate the South, free Mandela, and assert that Black Lives do indeed matter, among so many other historic and important issues facing our campuses, communities, and nation. We have stood for what we thought was right, often against tremendous odds. And without question, these make for some of the best stories.
STEPPING ...
Greek life is a major part of the Black College experience. With nearly all of the "Divine Nine" Greek-lettered sororities and fraternities getting their start at an HBCU, we most definitely take particular pride in these great organizations.
... AND PLEDGING
And while most HBCU students are not members of these groups, we all feel a special bond with them and appreciate the role they played during our college experiences, and well beyond. Your Greek-life story is one we all love to read.
Pictured is renowned actress T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, a proud graduate of Florida A&M University and contributor to Vol. 1. She is a tireless supporter of our Black colleges.
GUIDANCE AND MENTORSHIP
While many of our experiences differ in various ways, there are some glaring similarities. None are as important as the role the professors, administrators, and staff played in our journey through school. College can be a tough place to negotiate without the help of a caring mentor or advisor, be that their official role at the institution or one they took on out of pure concern for the students. We all have tales of someone taking interest in us and helping us overcome obstacles. Please share yours.
LIFELONG FRIENDS, AND MUCH MORE
You arrive at school as total strangers, and often from different parts of the country, or even the globe, but leave as best of friends and celebrate those friendships for the rest of your lives.
Stories of friends made and lives changed cover all aspects of HBCU life and living. Your story is our story, and it's worth telling.
Our HBCUs remain as vital today as they were more than 100 years ago.
Your Story IS our Story
The Blacker the College, the Sweeter the Knowledge!