For centuries, prior to the birth of the HBCU, predominantly white post-secondary educational institutions have dominated the global learning community. However, with the establishment of early HBCU’s such as Cheyney University, and Shaw University, new doors and opportunities have been opened not only to the black community but the United States of America as well.The HBCU has ushered in the production of leaders whom have inspired and reached out to their community to assure a bright future for many African Americans. We have seen the creation of several historic organizations in conjunction with the HBCU, such as fraternities sororities, the NAACP, and the UNCF (founded by Fredrick Douglass). In contributing to American history a man by the name of George Washington Carver ultimately revolutionized southern agriculture in his development of crop rotation. After being invited by Booker T. Washington (founder of Tuskegee University) to Tuskegee, Carver taught farmers to alternate soil of which was depleting with crops that would enrich the soil. Another such man, Thurgood Marshall, heads the NCAAP’s legal team and served in the Supreme Court from 1967-1991. The HBCU has created several political activists, artists, and athletes such as Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, Alice Walker, Erykah Badu, and Steve McNair. HBCU’s such as Florida A&M University, have been selected by Time Magazine as their first ever “College of the Year”, and have seen band directors of which have altered the definition of band pageantry with upbeat tempos and modern dance. The pertinence of the HBUC makes its relevance that much more obvious. With universities such as Tuskegee, producing 75% of the nations Black veterinarians, and being one of the four centers funded by NASA to develop science and technology for human space missions, its relevance is clearly demanding of attention. With universities such as Florida A&M producing a large percentage of the nation’s top pharmaceutical baccalaureates, and black colleges increasing in enrollment, the relevance of the HBCU’s presence is unquestionable. The HBCU has produced graduates of which have shed light on things of which may have otherwise never been thought of. The emergence of the HBCU is evidence that anything is possible. The once seemingly impossible progression of the average African American has become a thing of the past as The HBCU proves that eventually with the passing of time, all things are possible, with the appropriate measures. We can clearly learn from this, that the passing of time sees the progression of all things. Even what may have been believed to be insignificant in the eyes of a majority, has the potential to deviate and rise above the expected to an admirable development.The HBCU, has opened doors to a myriad of opportunities of which have seen the growth of a nation. The contributions of the HBCU has led to an endless list of possibilities in new developments. There is no doubt that theses institutions will continue to impact America and the global community in several venues. These establishments have paved the way and will continue to do so for many ethnic groups in America.
