African Americans have been supported throughout the years by amazing community groups that have educated, empowered and emboldened generations. Through engagement with institutions like the Black church, Black Greek organizations, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), we leverage the strength of our collective to build our own legacies and live our best lives.

#HBCUsStillMatter

Originally established to allow recently emancipated slaves an opportunity to pursue higher education, HBCUs remain a necessity today, not only because they continue to outperform non-HBCU institutions in retaining and graduating first-generation African American students,but because they provide a safe environment for students that build confidence, foster success, and cultivate “faith, community, and service.” (1)  

Earlier installments of the #ChevyLegacyTrailblazer series highlighted famous members of Black Fraternities, and Sororities who are dedicated to their letters for life, and who have adopted community involvement and empowerment as their mission. Today, we’re honoring notable alumni of HBCUs, who have become trailblazers—disrupting industries, breaking boundaries, making history, and changing lives.

1Taraji P. Henson- Howard University 

Academy and Emmy Award-nominated actress, Taraji P. Henson, graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In addition to her extensive and very successful career in television and film, she recently launched The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) in honor of her late father.  Her mission is “to help eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community and provide support for and bring awareness to mental health issues that plague this community.”

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