Historically Black Colleges and Universities — better known as HBCUs — have long been more than just schools. Founded during a time when Black Americans were denied access to higher education, HBCUs emerged as places of opportunity and empowerment. 

From Vice President Kamala Harris of Howard University, to Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of Morehouse College, HBCUs have educated generations of leaders who’ve shaped American history. Not all HBCU alumni are celebrities — countless Black doctors, lawyers, educators and creatives got their start on HBCU campuses, often crediting those spaces for fostering their success. Thus, proving the HBCU influence isn’t just impressive — it’s ongoing. 

This year, three impressive seniors — Omari Allen, Nevaeh Brooks, and Makenzie Wilborn — are preparing to step into that world. 

Omari Allen | Morehouse College 

Omari Allen’s admittance to Morehouse College is signed, sealed, and delivered. As soon as Allen opened that acceptance email, it was an emotional rollercoaster. “Me and my mom went through about fifty emotions in one minute,” he laughed. There was screaming, celebrating, and tears — especially upon seeing the scholarship offer, which cut the cost of attendance by 25%. 

“The money was nice I’ll admit, but it was so much more than that.” After months of preparing himself for Morehouse, Allen’s dream was finally in reach. In just a few months, he’d be on the campus of the nation’s only all-male liberal arts college and one of the top-ranked HBCUs in the country, reveling in the promises of brotherhood and comfort. 

Nevaeh Brooks | Southern University 

While Allen was drawn in by brotherhood, Nevaeh Brooks, a marvelous clarinet player, was hooked by the band. HBCU bands are legendary — turning halftime shows into full performances and creating a family far beyond the field. Southern University’s Human Jukebox is no exception. “The moment I saw them perform, I knew I had to be a part of that,” Brooks recalled. 

Yet the appeal went deeper than the music. After years of feeling like a minority in school, Brooks is excited to step into an environment where she can fully be herself without the pressure of code-switching — something she describes as “exhausting and hopefully in [her] past”. At Southern, she looks forward to embracing her culture openly while building connections that feel natural and genuine. 

Makenzie Wilborn | NCAT vs Howard 

Makenzie Wilborn, a future medical student in the making, grapples with the decision of Howard University or North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT). Both being top medical schools, it’s hard to find major flaws in their education systems, leading Wilborn to a world of headaches.  

“Howard is an exceptional school. It’s the number one HBCU in the world, I would be a fool not to go.” accentuated Wilborn. “However, NCAT is just as great, which makes the decision tougher. If I were to go there, I’d partake in an equally strong pre-med program. Therefore, the final decision will most likely fall into very nitpicking territory.” 

Though the path ahead for Wilborn appears foggy, one thing is clear. No matter which university she selects, she’ll be receiving a top tier education, at one of the best HBCUs in America.  

As these seniors take their next steps, they’re not just choosing ordinary universities and colleges. They’re choosing Historically Black Universities and Colleges, a prominent pillar for Black excellence.