Jan 22, 2024 By Juliana Daniel
This February, to celebrate Black History Month, 10Best will be touring two leading institutions of higher education that have a long legacy of opening up access to educational opportunities for African Americans. We’ll be at the Howard University campus in Washington, DC, and Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA.
Both campuses are deeply knit into the fabric of black history, having impacted generations of students with their past and present offerings. From their resounding impact on civil rights advocacy to their strong academic programs, today we explore what makes these campuses so special by taking a closer look!
10Best is touring two institutions with a long legacy of promoting educational access for African Americans. We're taking a closer look at Howard University in Washington, D,C and Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. Both these campuses have left an indelible mark on civil rights and academic excellence.
Howard University is a beacon of hope, having helped shape the Civil Rights Movement and producing prominent figures like Thurgood Marshall and Zora Neale Hurston. In addition to its robust civil rights advocacy history, Howard is one of the most competitive HBCU universities, with 4,000 courses across 13 schools and colleges.
Virginia State University opened as the first state-supported four-year higher education institution for African Americans in Virginia. In addition to offering a top-notch academic program, VSU has been instrumental in promoting racial equality since its inception.
It was here that students organized protests against school segregation and other injustices. Today, the university is recognized as one of the premier HBCUs in the country and awards more degrees to African Americans than any other university in Virginia.
These two universities have made immense contributions to Black History Month. In addition to their role in the Civil Rights Movement, they have opened access to higher education for African Americans and other underrepresented minorities.
In honor of this legacy, 10Best is proud to be touring these campuses in recognition of all they have done and continue to do for the African American community. In doing so, we hope to strengthen the knowledge and appreciation of Black History Month and its importance in creating a more just world.
At Howard University, visitors should stop by the Founders Library, which is home to over one million volumes of books, manuscripts, and other materials related to African American history. In addition, guests will have the chance to explore Freedom Plaza, which pays tribute to civil rights activists from all eras.
At Virginia State University, students and visitors should plan to visit the Robert R. Moton Museum. This museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of civil rights leader and VSU graduate Robert Russa Moton. In addition, guests can take a self-guided tour of the campus's historic buildings, such as the John Gresham Building,g which was built in 1822.
At Howard University, visitors can learn about various student organizations like the Student Association or the Howard Pep Band. In addition, guests can explore some of the university's sports teams, such as football and basketball.
At Virginia State University, visitors can glimpse some of the campus' many clubs and societies, such as the National Interscholastic Honor Society and the Commonwealth Horse Club. In addition, guests can explore some of the university's sports teams, like football, basketball, and track & field.
At Howard University, students often cite the university’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion as a major factor in their decision to attend. In addition, many mention the environment of academic excellence that is encouraged on campus.
At Virginia State University, students have described feeling inspired by the impactful stories of alums such as Robert Russa Moton and the strong sense of community cultivated over generations. In addition, many students have emphasized how VSU’s emphasis on academics has helped to open up educational opportunities for African Americans in Virginia.
In honor of Black History Month, 10Best is taking a tour of Howard University in Washington D.C. and Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA, to celebrate their long legacy of opening up access to educational opportunities for African Americans. Both schools have made immense contributions to civil rights advocacy and have strong academic programs, making them perfect destinations to mark the occasion.
In its Howard University and Virginia State tour, 10Best focuses on the campuses' intersections with civil rights activism. In addition to getting a unique perspective on both institutions' legacy, we will highlight current initiatives undertaken by students and faculties that continue to make these universities hubs for learning, growth, and progress.
In addition to Howard University and Virginia State, many other historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) provide access to quality education for African-American students.
In addition, the United States Department of Education provides funding opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to pursue their educational goals. Furthermore, several organizations provide scholarships and other resources for African-American students pursuing higher education.
By touring Howard University and Virginia State, 10Best is celebrating the legacy of these two schools in opening up access to educational opportunities for African Americans. In addition to highlighting the campuses' intersections with civil rights, 10Best will showcase current initiatives that continue to make both universities hubs for learning, growth, and progress. Lastly, several other institutions and organizations provide access to quality education for African-American students.