Historically Black Colleges and Universities are a foundation of The Culture. They are the grounds where what’s next is created, tested, and approved. HBCU’s have created many of The Culture’s major players. And with it being graduation season for young people all across the country, to rep the Class of ’18 we’ve got a list of 18 Creators For The Culture that are HBCU graduates.

 

OPRAH WINFREY

Media mogul Oprah is a Tennessee State grad class of ’86 with a bachelor’s in Communications. Yeah she definitely used her degree to the fullest.

 

CHADWICK BOSEMAN

One of the hottest actors in Hollywood and the Black Panther himself, Chadwick Boseman reps Howard class of ‘00 graduating with a bachelor of fine arts in directing. #FunFact – Chadwick played Thurgood Marshall the famed black attorney that another HBCU, Texas Southern University, named it’s law school after.

TARAJI P. HENSON

Actress Taraji P. Henson is a Howard University graduate with a degree in Theatre Arts and has already publicly stated she will send her son to a HBCU when it’s his time as well.

STEPHEN A. SMITH

Loved and hated ESPN broadcaster, Stephen A. Smith is a Winston-Salem State University grad class of ’91. He hooped a little bit in college and is a Que.

 

2 CHAINZ

Tauheed Epps aka known 2 Chainz graduated from Alabama State University which he attended on an athletic scholarship and graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

 

SPIKE LEE

Illustrious director Spike Lee is a Morehouse Man receiving a BA in Mass Communication from the Atlanta institution. His HBCU experience was a large inspiration for his classic film School Daze.

 

DJ ENVY

DJ and radio personality DJ Envy holds a Business degree from Hampton University he’s using to create his brand and making moves as an investor.

 

TONI MORRISON

One of The Culture’s most famous authors, the best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning Toni Morrison graduated from Howard University with a B.A in English.

 

SAMUEL L. JACKSON

The number one box office receipt holder of all-time Samuel L. Jackson is another Morehouse College alum, holding a degree in Theatre .

 

COMMON

Rapper, actor, activist, and Golden Globe winner Common graduated from Florida A&M University where he majored in Business Administration.

 

PHYLICIA RASHAD

America’s mom and award winning actress, Phylicia Rashad is yet another graduate of Howard University and her degree is in Fine Arts.

 

TERRENCE J

Former 106 & Park and current Entertainment Tonight host Terrence J is a graduate of North Carolina A&T University and received a degree in Mass Communication from the HBCU.

 

WILL PACKER

Before directing some of Kevin Hart’s biggest films, Will Packer, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. A very impressive feat.

 

DEBBIE ALLEN

World renowned dancer, director, and one of the driving forces behind the HBCU centered classic sitcom A Different World, Debbie Allen is a Howard University grad. She is the owner of a B.A degree in Theatre.

 

LANCE GROSS

Actor Lance Gross, graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Theatre.

 

YOLANDA ADAMS

Legendary gospel singer and radio host Yolanda Adams graduated from Texas Southern University with a degree in Education in ’84. Yolanda actually became a teacher before her singing career took off.

 

DAVID BANNER

Rapper, producer and activist Lavell Crump aka David Banner graduated from Southern University with a degree in Business in ’97 and served as student body president during his college tenure.

WANDA SYKES

Actress and comedian Wanda Sykes is a Hampton alumnus graduating with a degree in Marketing and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

 

SEAN COMBS

Mogul for The Culture Sean “Diddy” Combs attended Howard University but left to intern for Andre Harrell at Uptown Records. Diddy then famously went on to start Bad Boy Records. Then in 2014 he received an Honorary Degree in Humanities from Howard.

*Side note: My father (the OG Talented Mr Ford) is an HBCU grad earning a Sociology degree from Texas Southern University back in the day. #FunFact*

 

Written by @TalenedMrFord

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