Glossary
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
The first Black Greek-Letter Organization, founded at Cornell University in 1906, which has since played a significant role in leadership and community service.
Example:
Martin Luther King Jr.'s membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity exemplifies how BGLOs have nurtured prominent figures dedicated to social justice and community uplift.
Avery College
An early HBCU founded in 1849 by the Avery family, contributing to the limited educational opportunities available to African Americans before the Civil War.
Example:
Alongside other early institutions, Avery College represented a crucial, albeit rare, beacon of educational access for Black individuals in the mid-19th century.
Black Campus Movement
A period in the 1960s marked by increased enrollment of African Americans at predominantly white institutions, signaling a shift in the landscape of Black higher education.
Example:
The Black Campus Movement reflected the changing dynamics of the Civil Rights era, as more Black students sought opportunities beyond HBCUs, though HBCUs remained vital.
Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLOs)
Fraternities and sororities founded at HBCUs and predominantly white institutions, providing support in areas of self-improvement, education, leadership, and community service for African American college students.
Example:
Through their commitment to service and scholarship, Black Greek-Letter Organizations have empowered generations of Black leaders and fostered lifelong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood.
Booker T. Washington
A prominent African American educator and leader who advocated for the vocational-industrial educational model, believing it was the most effective path to Black economic advancement.
Example:
The debate over the best educational path for Black Americans often centered on the philosophy of Booker T. Washington, who championed practical skills over classical studies.
Cheyney University
Established in 1837, it is recognized as the very first Historically Black College and University, founded by Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys.
Example:
Students today can trace the long legacy of Black higher education back to Cheyney University, a pioneering institution that opened its doors decades before the Civil War.
Cultural Hubs
A term describing HBCUs as central spaces for cultural pride, Black scholarship, activism, and the preservation and promotion of African American culture, history, and traditions.
Example:
Beyond academics, HBCUs functioned as vibrant Cultural Hubs, where students could celebrate their heritage, engage in artistic expression, and build strong community bonds.
Fisk Jubilee Singers
A group from Fisk University instrumental in popularizing African American spirituals internationally, challenging racial stereotypes and raising funds for their university.
Example:
The powerful voices of the Fisk Jubilee Singers captivated audiences worldwide, not only showcasing Black artistry but also funding educational opportunities for their peers.
George Washington Carver
A renowned botanist whose revolutionary work at Tuskegee Institute transformed agricultural practices and inspired Black students in science.
Example:
George Washington Carver's innovative research on peanuts and sweet potatoes at Tuskegee demonstrated the profound scientific contributions emerging from HBCUs.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Institutions of higher education established before 1964 primarily to serve the African American community, playing a vital role during segregation and continuing as centers of Black education and culture.
Example:
Many civil rights leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr., honed their leadership skills at an HBCU, demonstrating their foundational role in social progress.
Jim Crow Era
A period from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century characterized by state and local laws enforcing racial segregation and discrimination in the Southern and some border states.
Example:
During the Jim Crow Era, HBCUs were often the only avenue for Black Americans to pursue higher education, serving as crucial intellectual sanctuaries.
Land-Grant HBCUs
Institutions established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, focusing on providing practical skills and trades through agricultural and mechanical education.
Example:
Many students seeking practical career training in fields like engineering or agriculture found their path at Land-Grant HBCUs, which were designed to equip them for employment.
Liberal Arts (Educational Model)
An educational approach at HBCUs that emphasized classical studies, literature, and humanities, aiming to cultivate critical thinking and broad intellectual development.
Example:
Students at Fisk University, following a Liberal Arts model, delved into philosophy and history, preparing them for leadership roles beyond specific trades.
Post-Civil War Era
The period following the American Civil War (1861-1865), during which most HBCUs were founded to educate newly freed African Americans.
Example:
In the immediate Post-Civil War Era, the urgent need for education among formerly enslaved people spurred the rapid establishment of numerous Black colleges.
Second Morrill Act (1890)
Federal legislation that mandated states either desegregate their land-grant colleges or establish separate land-grant institutions for Black students, leading to the creation of 18 new HBCUs.
Example:
The Second Morrill Act (1890) fundamentally reshaped the landscape of Black higher education by providing federal funding for agricultural and mechanical colleges specifically for African Americans.
Systemic Racism
Deeply embedded discriminatory practices and policies within institutions that deny certain groups, like African Americans, equal access and opportunities.
Example:
The historical denial of Black students' access to predominantly white universities is a clear instance of systemic racism that led to the founding of HBCUs.
Vocational-Industrial (Educational Model)
An educational approach at HBCUs that focused on practical skills and trades, preparing students directly for employment in specific industries.
Example:
Tuskegee Institute, under its Vocational-Industrial model, trained students in carpentry and farming, equipping them with tangible skills for economic self-sufficiency.
W.E.B. Du Bois
An influential African American sociologist, historian, and activist who championed the liberal arts educational model, arguing for the importance of intellectual development and the 'Talented Tenth.'
Example:
In contrast to Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois argued that a robust liberal arts education was essential for developing Black intellectual leaders who could challenge racial inequality.
Wilberforce University
Founded in 1856 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it holds the distinction of being the first HBCU fully owned and operated by African Americans.
Example:
The establishment of Wilberforce University marked a significant step towards Black self-determination in education, demonstrating the community's capacity to build and manage its own institutions.