The History of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Students will understand and analyze the impact of the contemporary college experience as seen through the lens of Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) students and these schools' impacts on African American scholars, business men and women, and families. 

 

Duration
1-2 hours
Lesson Type
1:1 Lesson

Lesson Partners: ETV Education, National Black Programming Consortium, Knowitall.org

Collections

Essential Question

How does the establishment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) promote academic growth and sustainability in African American families and culture? 

 

Grade(s):

  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

SMARTBoard, iPads, Chromebook, or computer/ with internet access

 

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Lesson Progression

1-2 Hours

Key Vocabulary:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)          Civil Rights Movement           

Civil Rights Act  The Divine Nine        Mary McLeod- Bethune

Web DuBois United Negro College Fund

10  mins

Students will be review the history of the establishment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities by visiting the United Negro College Fund’s weblink that explains the creation and manifestation of colleges for African Americans in the United Sates of America. Where We've Been, Where We're Going: A Timeline of HBCU Development

13:00 mins 

Students will view the video on KnowitAll.org featuring Dr. Sherman James: The HBCU Experience at Fayetteville State and Talladega College 

https://www.knowitall.org/video/dr-sherman-james-part-5-hbcu-experience-fayetteville-state-and-talladega-college-sc-african

3 min 52 secs

Who is the Divine Nine?

Students will watch the short video on black fraternities and sororities that allow for community collaboration, tradition, and business networking for HBCUs.  

 

Dr. Sherman James, Part 5: The HBCU Experience at Fayetteville State and Talladega College | SC African American History Calendar (2021)

Despite being a small town in South Carolina, Hartsville, SC produced two honorees of the South Carolina African American History calendar, who grew-up together at the same time: Jannie Harriot (May...

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Where We've Been, Where We're Going: A Timeline of HBCU Development

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The HBCU College Experience: Fayetteville State and Talladega College

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Who is the Divine Nine?

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What is a HBCU?

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Assessments

Students will answer the following questions during the 1 day lesson on the history of HBCUs, the Dr. Sherman James HBCU experience video and the informational video on the Divine Nine.

  1. What was the original purpose of the creation of HBCUs
  2. What was the significance the speakers in the Dr. Sherman James video at HBCUs and establishing cultural bonds?
  3. Name a fraternity and sorority that interests you that is part of the Divine Nine?
  4. Based on the video, who is one famous African American who has been part of the Divine Nine and why?
  5. Give at least 3 specific examples of the importance of establishing and maintaining HBCUs in the 21st Century.

Lesson Created By: Dr. Benjamin Washington