Many of pop culture’s biggest names have their own remarkable origin story. A lucky break, a serendipitous career move, or the life experience and knowledge gained at university.

It should come as no surprise, then, that quite a number of today’s black leaders — actors, singers, authors and political figures — all share a common bond: as fellow HBCU alumni.

From Florida A&M to Howard, Spelman to Morehouse, here are 15 of some of the most famous contemporary faces to come out of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. read more…