“I love my HBCU!” It is one experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. For some attending an HBCU is pure tradition, but for me it was an honor that I held with pride. The pride in knowing that I would walk the trail of great leaders like Dr. Martin L. King, Oprah Winfrey, and Rapper Common; all who attended HBCUs and have placed a significant mark on the nation we call America. Attending an HBCU was never an option for me; it was a choice. One that was made after numerous personal accounts from teachers and leaders who spoke with get dignity about their great college experiences at what I call the prestigious institutions of learning.
My college decision wasn’t solely based on those experiences, but the positive influence of the sitcom “A Different World”. The show that I sing and act out the opening score and continually watch like it’s the pilot episode on a new station. This show taught me that I could be taught by people who look like me, in an institution designed to structure not only educational growth, but my growth as a minority in this color hating world. It was a since of hope that I could obtain a higher degree alongside my brothers and sisters who too were destined for greater. I was ready for a “Different World” and different it was.
So what did “A Different World” teach me.
Humanity – Like “A Different World” the experience wasn’t just BLACK if was life. One that took part in every issue that dealt with human life itself. A different world taught me that life was to be respected whether white or black. It showed me that human life should be equal for all and that working together, not divided was the best tool for change. I recall supporting causes that weren’t connected to me being a Black man, but a human. I understood that being born as an underdog gave me a natural ability to encourage the weak and maintain the stronger. “A Different World” like BCU and FAMU taught me that fighting for others helps catapult my community and enrich the soil to grow fruit that will build the next generation.
Black Brilliance – Episode after episode and character success one after the other, taught me that a HBCU experience was nothing more than a road map to brilliance. A step higher than excellence; one that would align me within a society of connections that would make dreams reality. Like Hillman, HBCUs were full of promise and the teaching of unshakable potential. Accepting the top students from nationwide high schools with achievements that would rival some of the normed Ivy Leagues. Learning with these melanin drape scholars helped me realize that I was beside brilliance and experiences that would make success second nature. It fostered a sense of friendly competition that made us capable of realizing our individual strengths and using what others had to build our weaknesses. Brilliant. It was a sense of belonging and knowing that each every person was capable of greater and nothing less.
Confidence – We are taught as young learners to be confident and build a strong wall of self-esteem that would take a great army to breakdown. At times, that sense of confidence is built based on a Eurocentric view of what confidence looks like. As a member of the elite HBCU experience I walked in self-assured and walkout confident in myself, my community, and the impact I would have on the world. I knew that my voice was made to not be heard when selected, but when adversity struck and when I believed in something so strong that it forced other outside of my skin color to think differently. I was confidently assured that I would forever be built solid and strong, so that no influence or norm (not designed for my good) would shake my foundation. I walked in as a young man and graduated a secure man; similar to how Dwayne Wayne entered a girl crazy boy and a career ready focused man. My real life experience was nothing less than what Bill Cosby and Debbie Allen wrote. The confidence of those characters lived in each and every student who ever entered and exited a HBCU institution. The confidence one exudes is so rich that setback are setups for greatness and failures are triumphs towards an even greater victory.
Unity – Unity is a sense of belonging; knowing that someone has your back even through the worst of times. Knowing that the journey you are on isn’t traveled alone, but resemblance of a pride of lions searching for survival. You know that together you stood for more than just the color of your skin. You met students from different experiences, backgrounds, and social status, but none of that matter because you were there together to build a unified front that will be unbreakable.
I think back on the Whitley’s of the campus who befriended the Freddie’s on the yard and together their Unity helped move many causes, destroy any walls of defeats, and win the biggest victory of all SUCCESS. See at a HBCU you learn that it takes more than me to make a change; knowing that we ourselves can build the change, so that the struggle of our journeys can be the hope for us now and forever.
For those who don’t understand the HBCU world and believe that success isn’t produced obviously didn’t digest the messages of “A Different World”. The fact that students entered to learn about possible career choices, but departed with life knowledge and power is nothing less than amazing. On this journey lifelong friendships are developed, pride is built, and a lasting search for success is mastered. My HBCU experience is the world that Aretha Franklin and Boyz to Men sang about; it was truly a different world. A world that encouraged me that I could achieve more than expected, that all I needed was focus, and whatever man would throw in my way I could still win the race. Thank You “A Different World” I entered your institution years ago and I am forever a Hillman Alum.
SayWhatNOW?!?! 