11 Celebrities Who Proudly Graduated From HBCUs

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Even though Beyoncé never had the chance to go to college, as we learned by tuning into her Homecoming doc, released on April 17 on Netflix, her triumphant Coachella performance in 2018 was inspired by historically Black colleges and universities.

“I always dreamed of going to an HBCU,” she said in the film, speaking on how she would go to Battle of the Bands events and how they would be the highlight of her year. However, we know that the plan for her life wouldn’t include going off to a Spelman or Clark Atlanta University. Instead, her mark was to be made in music.

“My college was Destiny’s Child,” she said. “My college was traveling around the world and life was my teacher.”

But that didn’t take away from the star’s appreciation for the schools and the culture cultivated at such institutions (she actually has a scholarship in place to help students attending them). Her decision to uplift them during Coachella, aka, Beychella, and in her documentary, caused many HBCU students and alumni to feel a swell of pride, which we noticed on social media following the film’s release. And there are so many illustrious HBCU grads out there, including some of your favorite stars. Hit the flip to see which institutions your faves rep.

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Chadwick Boseman

The Black Panther star graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing in 2000 from Howard University.

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Susan Kelechi Watson

Watson obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Howard University, and while there, she was mentored by Phylicia Rashad who helped her, during her time at HU, study Shakespeare at Oxford.

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K. Michelle

The singer and TV personality attended Florida A&M University, also known as FAMU, on a music scholarship. She had many experiences while at the school, including crossing Delta Sigma Theta and having to stop attending classes for a short time to give birth and take care of her son. But she returned and graduated from the school with honors.

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Anika Noni Rose

The Tony award-winning actress also graduated from FAMU, earning a Bachelor’s degree in theater.

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Stacey Abrams

The politician and lawyer graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (political science, economics and sociology) from Spelman College in 1995.

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Spike Lee & Samuel L. Jackson

They didn’t graduate at the same time from Morehouse College (Jackson graduated in 1972, Lee in 1979), but these two have a special bond as Morehouse men; so much so, that when Jackson announced Lee’s name as winner of Best Adapted Screenplay at this year’s Oscars, he shouted, “The House!” which is a reference to the college.

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Brian Tyree Henry

Another Morehouse man, Atlanta star Brian Tyree Henry graduated in 2004, going from a business major to an actor.

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Loni Love

The Real co-host graduated from Prarie View A&M University in Texas in 1991 with a degree in electrical engineering, and minored in music. While there, she also crossed Delta Sigma Theta, and first discovered her love for stand-up comedy after winning a competition.

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Ruth E. Carter

Costume designer Ruth E. Carter graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982. At the time, the school was still known as Hampton Institute.

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Wanda Sykes

The comedian also graduated from Hampton, earning a Bachelor of Science in marketing in 1986. While there, she crossed Alpha Kappa Alpha.