Historically Black Colleges and Universities

With this being black history month, I thought this might be interesting to share. It's unfortunate that HBCU's don't extend beyond the midwestern US. They are up and down the east coast and spread through the midwest. We are fortunate to have one of the largest HBCU's, Florida A&M University (FAMU), here in Florida. Enrollment is over 10,000. A few try to say that the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in the Watts area of L.A., CA is a HSBC. No, although Dr. Charles Drew is black and made great contributions in medicine and blood work; this school was only named in his honor and being built in a black area isn't enough to qualify for a HBCU. HBCU's offer the same majors and programs as the so called major universities. The vast majority of HBCU's originated from the states where slaves were present. We had to find a way to educate ourselves. HBCU's have significant history and tradition to our culture. Look at who are some HBCU graduates:
Oprah Winfrey, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Common (at FAMU during my time), Wanda Sykes, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Kwame Kilpatrick (former Mayor of Detriot - this was my homie in college).

Many of our historic black figures attended HBCU's. Mary McLeod Bethune founded Bethune-Cookman University which is a block away from where most of the black bikers party during the infamous Daytona Beach Bikeweek. I started out at the University of Miami (UM) on football scholarship but, dropped out because I was too involved with the street gangster life. Years later I enrolled at FAMU to complete my studies.

Most major universities are considered the white schools. This is not concensus, this is only because a lot of blacks have a choice to attend a HBCU. I have experienced both. If I could do it over again. I would have stayed at UM. Mainly, because of continuing to play football. My FAMU experience would rank up there with my UM experience. HBCU's and all other higher education institutions do a great job at the same thing, EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS! You also get to know several good brothers & sisters. I always tell people, forget black sisters that are beautiful movie stars. I've seen some of the most beautiful black women on the campus of FAMU. From as far away as Portland, Oregon. I met my wife at FAMU.

It's black history month every month at HBCU's. Since today is Super Sunday. Let's tie HBCU's to Superbowls. Superbowls have always been played in January until post 9/11. Only one Superbowl has been played in January since 9/11, all others have been played in February which is black history. HBCU's have made contributions to Superbowls. Doug Williams, the late Steve McNair, Jerry Rice, the late Walter Payton, Bob Hayes, Shannon Sharpe, and Michael Strahan have all played in a Superbowl. Also, thay all came from HBCU's. HBCU's contribute to the Superbowl in another way also. Entertainment! Let's take what I called the first "Black Superbowl". February, 2007 two black head coaches, halftime show by Prince, and what marching band played simultaneously on the field during Prince's performance? The Marching 100 from FAMU (bet you didn't know that). They actually have more than 250 members. This game was also played in Miami which has a large black/minority population. Damn, four of the last six Superbowls have been played in Florida (three different cities). Okay, that comment was just a Florida thing.

Here we are today February, 2010, three years later in Maimi again for the Superbowl. Guess who is playing for the pre-game show this time, the Marching 100 from FAMU. Just a little national black history that doesn't get advertised.

So, if you didn't know much or anything about HBCU's. Do your homework and pass it on to your kids, relatives, and friends so we can continue enrollment and the tradition of OUR HBCU's!!!

See, outlaw type brothers get down with the normal stuff also. It's all about advancement. Remember, consistence is just as valuable as advancement. With everyone's talent level being different, at some point you max out. From here you need consistence to maintain.

List of HBCU's

What the United Negro College Fund says about HBCU's

Right on Scooby, My son is in his second year at Bethune-Cookman. He's having the time of his life, getting an "OUTSTANDING" education, playing Football, Q-Dog, the whole nine yards. And the half time shows...SH*t, off the chain, The Marching Band, "Damn" need I say more, it's always a show when I go watch him play. Yeah MC Fam, Scooby is right, have your kids go online and check out these schools, you get a lot of bang for your buck, trust me. Hey and I guarantee you will love the visits.

That's what I'm talking about Cortdog. Look us up when you make a visit. I have a chapter brother that lives in Daytona. Make sure you plan a vist during bikeweek one year and you will double your enjoyment.

Much Luv

Yo
CortDog right on with your son & my bruh getting that EDUCATION
I'm a QUE right down the road from Cookman.
I will be in Daytona in few weeks...hit me back I would love to hook up with your son/my bruh and break bread.
Bro. B
DND M/C
Que Psi Phi
FLA. A&M Marching "100"

Very educational write up Scooby.

My Aunty been working over at the Charles Drew Medical Center in Watts for years, and her Husband, my Uncle just retired from there. I never knew too much about Charles Drew at all. I did know it was in honor of a Black Man from back in the day, but thats about it. It sucks we have NO strong Black Colleges out here in California. Maybe if we did, it help would on a Main Stream level with giving kids something to look forward to when graduating from High School. In the over all Black community out here in Southern California, going to College is really not something black youth aim for. There's no historic family tradition in going to college out here. There is more family tradition in being a Hustler, or a Gangbanger, or simply getting a Job. The way the "System" is set up out here, it seems to be set up to redirect Black Youth away from Colleges and Education then guide them to it. My Grandpa was from Louisiana and only because of him did I go straight to College out of High School. He really wanted me to go to a Major University with him funding the cost 100% but I just didn't want to, so I went to a Junior College instead. I went to Riverside City College or a semester, then I went to Chaffey College for a semester, then I just stopped going. It just wasn't my thang, I didn't have the drive to stay in school, as much as I had the drive to be a Hustler.

Southern California.... "I'm a product of my environment."

Goldie,I feel ya bruh. The system is not in our favor. We have to work hard at making ourselves fit the system. I can understand the exposure scenario about college. If some of these inner city youth knew that there were college choices which were favorable to their environment. Maybe a few may consider. If some make it, thats better than none. Some of us including myself was a hustler while in college. Hey, I had to make myself fit the system because the system had resistence to me. I've met some blacks from out west that didn't even know about black colleges. They didn't find out until after they were in a predominately white college or they had already grduated from a predominately white college. That's one of the reasons for this post, to let our folks know abouth this option/experience.