-
Cheyney University
Cheyney University was founded on February 25, 1837 by Richard Humphreys. At the time it was founded, it was named the African Institute, which was later changed to the Institute for Colored Youth, and finally Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Cheyney University was the first institution of higher learning for African Americans, and still remains a source of quality instruction for a variety of races, cultures, and nationalities.
https://cheyney.edu/for-parents/history-traditions/ -
Ashmun Institute
John Dickey and his wife Sarah Cressen founded the Ashmun Institute, named after social reformer, Jehudi Ashmun. The institution provided education for black students and hosted meetings dedicated to the abolition of slavery in America. Ashmun Institute changed its name to Lincoln University after his assassination in 1866, and became a popular college during the time of segregation in the south.
https://www.accessible-archives.com/2011/04/ashmun-institute-chartered-in-1854/ -
Howard University
Howard University of Washington D.C. is named after General Oliver Otis Howard, who influenced congress to fund the school. The school is largely funded by the U.S. government, but is privately controlled. Although the school was open to all races and ethnicities, it was founded with the mission to provide African Americans with advanced education. Its library is also the leading library on African American history.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Howard-University -
Spelman College
Spelman College was founded when teachers Sophia Packers and Harriet Gills began to teach 11 black women in the basement of a church in Atlanta, Georgia. John D. Rockefeller's donations helped the school grow into Spelman Seminary, which eventually became Spelman College in 1924. It is a private, four-year liberal arts college and belongs to the Atlanta University Center, which is a cluster of 6 black colleges and universities.
https://u-s-history.com/pages/h3117.html -
United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was founded in Washington D.C. by Frederick Patterson and Mary McLeod Bethune. It aimed to provide steady funding to 27 financially struggling Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the south. It also hoped to provide access to higher education for impoverished African American students.
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/united-negro-college-fund-1944/ -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education is an infamous court case which ruled that segregation in schools is unconstitutional. Oliver Brown pursued justice after his daughter, Linda Brown, was denied access to the all-white public schools in Topeka. He argued that this violated the 14th amendment, which received unanimous support from the Supreme Court. The case established that "separate but equal" is not equal.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
Little Rock Nine
After the desegregation of public schools thanks to Brown v. Board of Education, a group of 9 students enrolled at formerly all-white Central High school. Arkansas Governor, Orval Faubus, had the National Guard block the students' entrance into the school on their first day. President Eisenhower later sent in federal troops to escort the students to school, which brought national attention to the Civil Rights movement. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/central-high-school-integration -
San Francisco State University Strike
In 1868, students embarked on a strike led by the Black Student Union and Third World Liberation Front. It lasted for 5 months and has claimed the title of longest student strike in U.S. history. The strike face much oppression, but after months of perseverance the students achieved their goal and San Fransisco State University became the first to have a College of Ethnic Studies in the U.S.
https://socialistworker.org/2018/12/13/1968-the-strike-at-san-francisco-state -
Grutter v. Bollinger
After Barbara Grutter (white) was rejected by the University of Michigan Law School, she filed a lawsuit claiming that the university was violating the 14th amendment and she was denied admission based on her race. Her case went to the Supreme Court, which, in a 5-4 vote, favored Michigan's Affirmative Action plan, and ruled that race can be one of the factors considered in college admissions as it encourages a diverse student community. https://ballotpedia.org/Grutter_v._Bollinger -
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans
President Obamas signed an executive order creating the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, which is intended to improve the educational achievement of black students and ensure the opportunity for them to complete high school, college, and pursue successful careers. The initiative aims to highlight and mobilize young African Americans' voices and provide platforms for students in their schools, communities, and lives. https://sites.ed.gov/whieeaa/
