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Historically Black Colleges and Universities
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Founding of Howard University Spelman College graduates HBCU Banner Graduates of Tuskegee University Kamala Harris at her alma mater
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Founding of Howard University
Founding of Howard University Students gather on the campus of Howard University, c. 1867. Located in Washington, D.C., the university was founded in 1867.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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Also known as: HBCU
Written by
Matt Stefon
Matt Stefon was a religion editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. He earned B.A. degrees in English and American studies from the Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. in religion and literature and an...
Matt Stefon
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), institutions of higher education in the United States founded prior to 1964 for African American students. The term was created by the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded federal funding for colleges and universities. In the early 21st century there were more than 100 HBCUs in the United States, predominantly in the South. They make up an eclectic mix of institutions, and many of their graduates are prominent American leaders. The first HBCUs were founded in Pennsylvania and Ohio before the American Civil War (1861–65) with the purpose of providing Black youths—who were ...(100 of 714 words)

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