Traditionally Black faculties and universities (HBCUs) have had an simple affect on the tradition. Because of this, it’s vital to look again and acknowledge a few of the totally different ways in which these establishments have been immortalized in media.
In honor of Black Historical past Month, let’s look again on a few of the ways in which HBCUs have been included into numerous movies and tv exhibits.
A Completely different World
First up is A Completely different Worldwhich highlighted pupil life on the fictional Hillman School throughout its 1987-1993 run.
On high of the school antics, this The Cosby Present spin-off additionally notably touched on numerous hot-button problems with the time, together with HIV/AIDS and domestic violence.
Hillman School was all the time an excellent time! 😂 Tune in to your favourite episodes of #ADifferentWorld this Saturday throughout our #BlackHistoryMonth ’80s Black TV Sitcom Marathon! https://t.co/xlCmySoAny pic.twitter.com/uPYgNnvUUx
— TV One (@tvonetv) February 9, 2023
College Daze
This Spike Lee musical manufacturing premiered again in 1988, and it’s centered on highlighting conflicts between college students at an HBCU. It’s additionally set throughout the college’s Homecoming celebration, and it prominently touches on experiences inside Black fraternities and sororities.
In keeping with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, College Daze is especially noteworthy for the way it “tackled an extended checklist of points” that ranged from colorism and structural racism to hazing and shallowness amongst girls.
Boyz N The Hood
On the very finish of this beloved traditional, Tre and Brandi head off to Atlanta to respectively attend Morehouse and Spelman.
Because of this, Boyz N The Hood presents an HBCU training as a approach of ushering in life-changing prospects, because it allowed Tre and Brandi to go away South Central Los Angeles for brand spanking new pursuits.
Dwelling Single
When watching reruns of Dwelling Singleviewers can’t assist however fawn over a few of the various items of HBCU memorabilia that the characters donned.
In any case, HBCU drip deserves to be highlighted, too!
yeah dwelling single all the time come by way of with the HBCU illustration 💙⚓️ pic.twitter.com/UTkewMIex3
— lipé’s plastic off the couch 🪩 (@_itsfelipe1) May 21, 2021
Drumline
This coming-of-age movie highlights the big delight that numerous HBCUs have of their marching bands, because it takes place on the fictional Atlanta A&T College.
About 12 years after the preliminary movie, a sequel referred to as Drumline: A New Beat premiered on VH1.
School Hill
From 2004-2009, college students attending numerous HBCUs had been featured on this BET collection. They had been additionally all dwelling below the identical roof, which allowed for explosive moments to bubble up every so often.
All through the course of its run, establishments like Southern, Langston College, Virginia State, the College of the Virgin Islands, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta.
Stomp the Yard
Switchin’ over to steppin’, we’ve Stomp the Yard. This 2007 manufacturing highlights stepping competitions between fraternities at a fictional HBCU referred to as Reality College.
The Nice Debaters
Wiley School took heart stage in The Nice Debaterswhich highlighted the Texas establishment’s exemplary 1935 debate crew.
Denzel Washington starred as the talk crew’s coach, Melvin B. Tolson. Notably, upon the movie’s 2007 premiere, Washington pledged to donate $1M to determine the talk crew.
The Actual Housewives of Potomac
We additionally need to acknowledge the state of affairs over on RHOP. With Gizelle Bryant (infamously) attending Hampton College and Candiace Dillard Bassett being a two-time Howard grad, HBCU excellence definitely exists among the many present’s full-time solid members.
Moreover, Charrisse Jackson Jordan’s daughter, Cloudsattended Spelman School, and Robyn Dixon’s husband has ties to Coppin State College.
With so many RHOP stars having ties to HBCUs, they positively have an unstated presence on the present!
Congratulations to Candiace on her MBA from Howard!! Such an unbelievable accomplishment #RHOP pic.twitter.com/fKDLwqv1S4
— justin (@justinnalexx) December 12, 2022
The Actual Housewives of Atlanta
HBCUs additionally had a lil’ second over on RHOAas Clark Atlanta College was on the heart of a heated interplay again throughout Season 11.
The battle was particularly centered round ex-friend-of Yovanna being upset about Eva Marcille not remembering her, as they’d apparently attended CAU at across the similar time.
Yovanna: you dong know me?
Eve: no.
Yovanna: that’s impossible-
Kandi: how is it unattainable?
Yovanna: I imply, I used to be that b*tch! I used to be Yovanna from Clark! CAU! pic.twitter.com/wKpR2oDpB8
— Cool Lady (@Tea_witdre) March 21, 2022
Ladies Journey
Whereas it wasn’t tremendous in-your-face, keen-eyed Ladies Journey viewers noticed a shoutout to Florida A&M College.
The chums on the heart of the movie all met on the Tallahassee HBCU. Notably, Will Packer—the producer—attended FAMU as properly, which can have impressed the reference.
I’m JUST realizing Will Packer went to FAMU & he made the varsity they graduated from in Ladies’ Journey FAMU 😱😂😂😂😂
— J❤️🩹 (@_imbeautifulll) April 28, 2020
The Quad
Subsequent up is The Quadwhich aired for 2 seasons forward of BET canceling it.
The drama collection takes place on the fictional Georgia A&M College, and one of many main characters serves because the HBCU’s first-ever feminine president.
Homecoming: A Movie By Beyoncé
One 12 months after her iconic efficiency at Coachella, Beyoncé unveiled a movie to supply followers with an “intimate, in-depth look” on the highway to her efficiency.
As her Coachella set—generally known as Beychella—paid homage to HBCU tradition, Bey positively introduced on the Black faculty illustration!
School Hill: Movie star Version
In 2022, School Hill made a star-studded comeback! The revival occurred at Jackson State College and featured celebs like Ray J, NeNe Leakes, Lamar Odom, Massive Freedia, and Stacey Sprint.
BET additionally experiences that one other season started filming at Alabama State College again in late 2022, and stars like Amber Rose, Tiffany Pollard, Ian Shumpert, and Joseline Hernandez had been name-dropped.
All American: Homecoming
Lastly, we’ve the HBCU-focused spin-off to All Americanwhich takes place at a fictional establishment dubbed Bringston College.
The primary season of the sports activities drama aired from February-Might 2022, and it’s been renewed for a second season.
Shoutout to all HBCU college students and alumni on the market!
