Notable Alumni from Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

At HBCU Original, we take immense pride in honoring the rich heritage and remarkable achievements of Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Join us as we shine a spotlight on some of the distinguished alumni who have emerged from these esteemed institutions, leaving an indelible mark in various spheres of influence.

Celebrity HBCU Alumni:

1. Oprah Winfrey – Tennessee State University
2. Taraji P. Henson – Howard University
3. Samuel L. Jackson – Morehouse College
4. Erykah Badu – Grambling State University
5. Chadwick Boseman – Howard University (Late)
6. Anika Noni Rose – Florida A&M University
7. Common – Florida A&M University
8. Wendy Raquel Robinson – Howard University
9. Spike Lee – Morehouse College
10. Keshia Knight Pulliam – Spelman College

Professional Athletes:

1. Jerry Rice – Mississippi Valley State University
2. Doug Williams – Grambling State University
3. Steve McNair – Alcorn State University (Late)
4. Earl Monroe – Winston-Salem State University
5. Terry Crews – Western Michigan University (Attended Flint, Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts for High School)
6. Willie Lanier – Morgan State University
7. Dominique Wilkins – University of Georgia (Attended North Carolina State University for 2 years)
8. Alice Coachman – Tuskegee University (Late)
9. Tina Thompson – University of Southern California (Attended University of Southern California for Master’s)
10. Bob Hayes – Florida A&M University (Late)

Famous Politicians:

1. Kamala Harris – Howard University
2. Andrew Young – Howard University
3. Thurgood Marshall – Lincoln University (Late)
4. Shirley Chisholm – Brooklyn College (Attended Brooklyn College’s Jamaica Campus for High School) (Late)
5. Kwame Kilpatrick – Florida A&M University
6. Stacey Abrams – Spelman College
7. Cory Booker – Stanford University (Attended Stanford University for Bachelor’s) (Attended Stanford University for Master’s)
8. Julian Bond – Morehouse College (Late)
9. John Lewis – Fisk University (Late)
10. Barbara Jordan – Texas Southern University (Late)

Musicians and Singers:

1. H.E.R. – Berklee College of Music (Attended Berklee College of Music for Music Production and Engineering)
2. Diddy – Howard University
3. Pharrell Williams – Northwestern University (Attended Northwestern University for 2 years)
4. Kamasi Washington – UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music (Attended UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for Jazz Studies)
5. Toni Braxton – Bowie State University
6. Patti LaBelle – University of Maryland Eastern Shore
7. Sean Combs – Howard University
8. T-Pain – Florida A&M University
9. K. Michelle – Florida A&M University
10. Fonzworth Bentley – Morehouse College

Other Important Persons:

1. Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois – Fisk University (Late)
2. Dr. Maya Angelou – California Labor School (Late)
3. Dr. Alain LeRoy Locke – Harvard University (Late)
4. Dr. Octavia E. Butler – California State University, Los Angeles (Late)
5. Dr. Carter G. Woodson – University of Chicago (Late)
6. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune – Scotia Seminary (Late)
7. Dr. Carter G. Woodson – University of Chicago (Late)
8. Dr. John Hope Franklin – Fisk University (Late)
9. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays – Bates College (Late)
10. Dr. Dorothy Height – New York University (Late