Higher education in the United States has long been a site of struggle, triumph, and transformation for Black students and educators. For starters, access to colleges and universities was once flatly denied — and even after legal barriers fell, the fight for inclusion, representation, and equity continued. This Black History Month (and, TBH, all year round), it’s imperative to spotlight some of the most meaningful moments in the long journey toward Black students and educators belonging, and thriving, in higher learning.
Whether through breaking barriers of access, advancing knowledge through scholarship, or reshaping institutional leadership, these moments are not just history — they continue to influence the experiences of Black students and educators today. These milestones serve as a reminder that colleges and universities are not neutral spaces, but battlegrounds where Black brilliance has pushed the boundaries of possibility. From the founding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to the first Black scholar to lead a major university, each of these moments redefined what higher education could — and should — be.
Below are some essential milestones in Black history that have helped pave the way for greater inclusion, empathy, and excellence in higher education, and, on a larger scale, in the world.
1867: Founding of the First HBCUs
Shortly after the Civil War, institutions like Howard University and Spelman College were established to educate Black Americans who were excluded from white colleges. These schools became centers of Black intellectual life, political thought, and cultural leadership — and remain vital to this day.
1877: First Black Ph.D. Graduate
In 1877, Edward Alexander Bouchet became the first Black person in the United States to earn a Ph.D. (in physics from Yale University). His achievement marked a monumental step in expanding academic possibilities for Black scholars in STEM fields.
1895: First Black Valedictorian at a White Institution
Anna Julia Cooper became the first Black valedictorian at Wilberforce University, showcasing the academic excellence of Black women long before demographic inclusion became a goal at other colleges.
1950: Desegregation of Higher Ed Begins
In the mid-20th century, legal challenges to segregation opened doors at historically white colleges. Trailblazers like Autherine Lucy, who integrated the University of Alabama, challenged exclusion directly — even in the face of fierce resistance.
1968: Black Studies Programs Established
Student activism at universities like San Francisco State College led to the creation of some of the country’s first Black Studies programs, ensuring that Black histories, cultures, and perspectives were taught, valued, and institutionalized.
1988: First Black Woman University President
Dr. Ruth Simmons made history as the first Black woman to lead an Ivy League institution when she became president of Brown University. Her leadership marked long-overdue representation in academic leadership at the highest level.
2000s: Black Scholars Reshape Public Health Research
From groundbreaking contributions in medicine and science to new frameworks in social sciences and humanities, Black researchers have expanded knowledge across disciplines — challenging established paradigms and mentoring future scholars. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a viral immunologist, played a leading role in developing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine while serving as a researcher at the National Institutes of Health. As a Black woman in STEM, her work not only contributed to one of the most significant public health breakthroughs of the 21st century, but also reshaped perceptions of who leads scientific innovation. Her visibility inspired countless students pursuing careers in medicine and research.
Today: The Good Fight Is Not Done
As several states move to restrict or eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public universities, Black students and faculty are once again at the center of higher education’s civil rights conversation. Across campuses in 2025 and into 2026, student organizations, faculty coalitions, and alumni networks have mobilized to protect cultural centers, mentorship initiatives, and Black Studies programs. These efforts mark a new chapter in the long history of Black advocacy in higher education — one that reminds us that access and representation are not permanent victories, but ongoing commitments.