What Was the First HBCU? Oldest HBCUs in the U.S.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are higher education institutions in the United States primarily established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to serve the African American community.

Black colleges have played a pivotal role in American education, offering opportunities for academic and professional advancement to Black Americans during times of segregation and discrimination.

This article delves into the origins, significance, and the very first HBCU, laying the groundwork for understanding the oldest HBCUs in the U.S. and their impact on American society.

Origins of HBCUs

The origins of HBCUs can be traced back to the post-Civil War Reconstruction era, a period marked by significant efforts to rebuild and transform the Southern United States after years of conflict.

During this time, the mission and founding principles of HBCUs were deeply intertwined with the broader goals of Reconstruction, aiming to provide education and uplift for newly freed African Americans.

These institutions were founded on the belief that education was essential for advancing Black Americans, offering them the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and succeed in a society that had long denied them access to formal education.

The role of HBCUs in providing education for Black Americans cannot be overstated at a time when most institutions of higher learning were inaccessible to African Americans due to racial segregation.

HBCUs offered a space where Black students could pursue academic and professional excellence.

Beyond mere educational facilities, HBCUs became centers of intellectual thought, cultural preservation, and social activism, contributing significantly to the civil rights movement and the broader struggle for equality and justice in America.

What Was the First HBCU?

The distinction of being the first HBCU is held by Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837.

Originally established as the Institute for Colored Youth by Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys, Cheyney University was created to educate African Americans and prepare them for skilled trades and teaching positions.

This pioneering institution laid the foundation for establishing other HBCUs across the United States, marking the beginning of a new era in American education where Black individuals could pursue higher education.

Cheyney University's founding symbolizes a significant milestone in the history of American education and the enduring legacy of HBCUs in empowering generations of African Americans.

Oldest HBCUs in the U.S.

Following Cheyney University, several other institutions have played pivotal roles in the history and development of HBCUs in the United States.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (1854)

Founded as the Ashmun Institute, Lincoln University in Pennsylvania was the first degree-granting HBCU in the United States.

Named after John Miller Dickey and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson, who were instrumental in its founding, Lincoln University was established to provide higher education to African Americans.

Over the years, it has produced a distinguished list of alumni, including Langston Hughes, a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, and Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice.

Wilberforce University (1856)

Established by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilberforce, Ohio, Wilberforce University is the first HBCU owned and operated by African Americans.

It was named in honor of the famous British abolitionist William Wilberforce.

The university has a rich history of fostering academic excellence and civil rights activism, with alums like Leontyne Price, a renowned opera singer, and W.E.B. Du Bois, a prominent sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist.

Harris-Stowe State University (1857)

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Harris-Stowe State University began as the first public teacher education institution west of the Mississippi River.

It has evolved from its early beginnings into a comprehensive institution offering many programs.

Harris-Stowe's commitment to producing educators and professionals has significantly impacted the African American community and beyond.

LeMoyne-Owen College (1862)

In Memphis, Tennessee, LeMoyne-Owen College traces its origins to the American Missionary Association's efforts to educate freedmen and runaway slaves.

It has survived challenges, including the yellow fever epidemic and financial hardships, and emerged as a beacon of higher learning and community development in Memphis.

The college's dedication to social justice and academic excellence continues to shape leaders and innovators.

Challenges and Triumphs of HBCUs

HBCUs were founded in an era of profound racial segregation and discrimination, enforced by Jim Crow laws that mandated racial segregation in all public facilities.

Despite these oppressive conditions, HBCUs provided a nurturing environment for African American students, offering them opportunities for education and advancement that were otherwise unavailable.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s was a pivotal period for HBCUs, as many of their students and faculty played significant roles in the fight for equality.

These institutions served as sites for organizing and strategizing, contributing to dismantling segregation and the broader push for civil rights.

Despite facing financial challenges, changing demographics, and questions about relevance in a post-segregation era, HBCUs have demonstrated remarkable resilience.

They continue to excel in providing quality education to African American students, producing leaders, professionals, and scholars who significantly contribute to society.

Legacy and Future: The Enduring Impact of HBCUs

HBCUs stand as enduring symbols of resilience, empowerment, and excellence in American higher education, shaping generations of leaders and innovators while navigating the challenges of racial discrimination and inequality.