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Howard Alumna Jamila Wright Reflects on HBCU Community's Role in Brooklyn Tea Success

Howard Alumna Jamila Wright Reflects on HBCU Community
Posted By: Will Moss on September 14, 2026


Jamila Wright, founder of Brooklyn Tea, is sharing her entrepreneurial journey and crediting her Howard University experience with providing the foundation and community support that helped her build her successful business.

Wright, a Howard alumna, has emerged as a notable voice in discussions about how HBCU communities continue to support graduates long after they leave campus. Her company, Brooklyn Tea, represents one of many success stories rooted in the networking, mentorship, and cultural grounding that historically Black colleges and universities provide their students.

Key Takeaway: Wright's story illustrates how HBCU networks extend far beyond graduation, providing ongoing support for alumni entrepreneurs and business leaders.

The entrepreneur's reflections on “blooming beyond The Yard” — a term affectionately used to describe HBCU campuses — highlight the lasting impact of the HBCU experience. Wright's journey with Brooklyn Tea demonstrates how the values, connections, and confidence cultivated at institutions like Howard University translate into professional success and entrepreneurial ventures.

The HBCU Advantage in Entrepreneurship

Wright's story adds to a growing body of evidence showing that HBCU graduates often credit their alma maters with providing unique advantages in business and professional development.



The sense of community, cultural affirmation, and extensive alumni networks that characterize the HBCU experience frequently serve as launching pads for entrepreneurial endeavors.

Why It Matters: Success stories like Wright's reinforce the vital role HBCUs play in fostering Black entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, demonstrating the tangible returns on investment in historically Black institutions.

As a Howard University graduate, Wright joins a distinguished list of alumni who have leveraged their HBCU education and network to create thriving businesses. Howard, founded in 1867 and located in Washington, D.C., has long been recognized as one of the nation's premier HBCUs, producing generations of leaders across various industries.

Wright's discussion of building Brooklyn Tea while maintaining connections to the HBCU community resonates with many alumni who find that their university relationships remain vital resources throughout their careers. The collaborative spirit and mutual support that define HBCU culture often extend into professional spaces, creating opportunities for partnerships, mentorship, and business growth.

Highlight: Wright's emphasis on community underscores a defining characteristic of the HBCU experience — the creation of lifelong networks that support personal and professional development.

The Brooklyn Tea founder's story serves as inspiration for current HBCU students and recent graduates contemplating entrepreneurial paths. By sharing her experience, Wright contributes to the ongoing conversation about the unique value proposition of HBCUs and their role in developing the next generation of Black business leaders.

Wright's reflections on her journey from Howard's campus to building a brand in Brooklyn exemplify the enduring influence of HBCU education and the power of maintaining strong ties to alumni communities in the years following graduation.

Originally reported by Google News HBCU.


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