6 African-American Institutions That Have Lasted Over Time

Cheyney University

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is considered the oldest institution of higher learning for blacks in the U.S. It was founded in Philadelphia in 1837 as the African Institute by Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys. But it was renamed weeks later as the Institute for Colored Youth. The school eventually moved to Cheyney farm, 25 miles from Philadelphia and was renamed Cheyney Training School for Teachers. It took its current name in 1983.

Cheyney offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines and a master’s in education. The university’s most famous alumni include the late CBS News correspondent Ed Bradley, Robert Bogle–publisher of the Philadelphia Tribune (the oldest black newspaper in the nation), and Craig T. Welburn, president and CEO of Welburn Management, a restaurant management outfit serving 15 million customers per year.