African American Higher Education

Opportunities for freed black children to further their educational journey after high school were limited. As a direct response to minimal options, black people began to seek multiple opportunities on their own in the name of higher education.

John Chavis, of North Carolina, is noted as the first African-American college student. Mary Jane Patterson is the first black woman to earn a bachelor’s degree. While these students made notable steps towards aiding in access for black people nationwide, it would be the continued discrimination that led to the opening of black colleges like Wilberforce, Lincoln, and Cheyney University.

Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Brittney Cooper of Rutgers University, we explore the journey of African Americans whose quest for more knowledge led to a string of institutions that are still prominent today.

Archival Materials Courtesy of:Associated Press
Alamy Images
Everett Collection, Inc.
Getty Images
Library of Congress

Executive Producers:
Robert F. Smith
Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Dyllan McGee
Deon Taylor

Music By:
Oovra Music

Be Woke presents is brought to you by Robert F. Smith and Deon Taylor.

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[rashondariley]

Thank you for sharing! I love learning about the African American experience and our contributions to our society. I use these short videos in my classroom, and they have become so valuable to me.

[twheeler]

Students don attend HBCUs because they struggle. They attend because they want to succeed! She made it seem as if HBCU or students who attend are remedial.

[DavidRLentz]

On the issues of race, racism, etc., I have so much to say--many just ques- tions, in an effort to understand, though I have a number of observa- tions, primarily of what most inform- ally call "white people"--and so much to learn.
I shall begin with the most pressing of late. What is "woke"? My rudimen- tary assessment is that it is an effort of African Americans 1) truly to learn of their circumstances, 2) to determ- ine their way out, and to rise above, and 3) to end racism, toward making a United States of America that truly is free and equal.

[kingking]

we have no Black colleges or universities in America....Wake yo ass up