BuzzFeed: Why These Celebrities Chose Historically Black Colleges

[Digital Puppy]

Last edited Tue Nov 10, 2015, 08:02 PM - Edit history (1)

From BuzzFeed:

Why These Celebrities Chose Historically Black Colleges

Lionel Richie, Diddy, Mo’Nique, Spike Lee, and more tell BuzzFeed about their experiences at historically black colleges and universities.

What do Lionel Richie, Spike Lee, and Sean “Diddy” Combs have in common? All three entertainment icons are Oscar winners (check out Diddy’s 2011 documentary, Undefeated), and all three started out as undergrads at historically black colleges or universities.

HBCUs, as they’re commonly known, are rich in black history and seminaries for future stars. Empire’s Taraji P. Henson, Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson, and The Game’s Wendy Raquel Robinson were classmates in Howard University’s drama department, where legendary actors like Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee served as mentors.
BuzzFeed News asked some of the most talented and successful people in the entertainment industry why an HBCU was the only choice for them, and heard the campus stories that set the course for their storied careers.

(snip)

This article has some very good testimonies as to the reasoning behind some celebrities choice of HBCUs. I think it's a good and informative read.

Full article here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/kelleylcarter/18-celebrities-on-their-hbcu-days#.hxVaAMpz7a

[brush]

1. I didn't go to an HBCU but have friends and relatives who did.

Thanks for posting this. After reading it I wish I had gone to an HBCU instead of the state uni that I went to.

[Kind of Blue]

2. Me, too! n/t

[Digital Puppy]

3. Thanks for the feedback...

What I like about this article and its testimonies is that these could be the words of some of my closest friends who went to HBCUs...not just 'celebrities'. I am going to use the article to show young people who are considering college (and their parents!) that there are some alternatives that that should think about.

They might not pay attention to their H.S. counselor, but they may pause to consider the words of Diddy or Taraji Henson!

[Number23]

4. Very cool article. I love Taraji P Henson. No idea she was a Howard gal!

School Daze as far as I know comes the closest to representing the ultimate HBCU experience.

I'll never forget being a high schooler at an all black high school and seeing this at the movies:

First time seeing a step show. Mind. BLOWN.

[brush]

5. That's aight — wrong colors though. No Crimson and Cream.

[Number23]

6. That joint was the ISHNIT! You know it as well as I do, especially because those dudes are

probably all dads and middle managers by now!

Loves my frat! First Fam all the way.

[brush]

7. Like I said, it was definitely aight — Devine Nine all the way.

[bettyellen]

10. Ha, love it. I think Summer of Sam is the realest Bronx/ Brooklyn movie ever.

Spike nails it.

[aikoaiko]

8. The three public HCBUs in Georgia are in trouble.

Atlanta is famous for Black Ivy League schools of Morehouse, Spelmen, and Clark Atlanta, but there are three public HCBUs: Fort Valley State U, Albany State U, and Savannah State U.

The chancellor of the university system of Georgia just announced he wants to merge Albany State with Darton State College (which was recently a 2-year school) which are both within the city limits of Albany, GA. After the merger, the new, larger Albany State will still be majority black, but not as much as once was (60% black post-merger).
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/regents-approve-albany-state-darton-state-merger-r/npKWb/

A lot of folks think that if that merger works, they will merge Savannah State with Armstrong State University (both within Savannah city limits). Armstrong was created as a 2-year school in 1935 for white students. Armstrong is now 25% black, but three times the size of Savannah State. There are a lot of state politicians who came out of Savannah State as students or educators, though.

Then there is Fort Valley and they have been losing students badly. They could be merged with Middle Georgia State University in Macon (a four campus institution born of a previous merger).

And then the three public HCBUs will be decimated.

[Digital Puppy]

11. Honestly had no idea..

..some very good friends graduated from Albany State U. and Savannah St. Will reach out to see what their reaction is to that news. I'm just not familiar with what is happening with the higher education system in GA.

[lib87]

9. This Does Sound like Many Non-Celebs!

I went to my HBCU for similar reasons. I wouldn't trade that feeling of belonging in an educational setting for anything.