My senior year of high school, I found it incredibly noble and was grateful for my counselors to have brung in students and recruiters from colleges like Syracuse, University of Pennsylvania, and even Harvard, but highly disappointing for my classmates and I to not be exposed to the likes of Hampton, Howard, Morehouse or Spelman. I mean, we were a high scoring, performing arts doing, AP English excelling, predominantly black school. So why not introduce institutions of higher learning where black kids like ourselves made up more that 12% of the universities population?

Upon entering Delaware State University, I quickly learned that going to an HBCU was a pivotal and beneficial choice and that the self-reflection, culture connections, and empowerment of the race I would be exposed to was beyond what I had expected. Going to an HBCU is lit! Here's why:

1. Black Greek Letter Organizations

The presence of Black Greek Letter Organizations brings an essence to HBCU campuses that is unmatched. No, they're not all about parties, or Frat Houses, or strolling, but the community service, promotion of scholarship, and promotion of brotherhood and sisterhood show the reason why the Divine 9 is so, well, divine.

2. Learning History

We all know the old tale of having history books filled with everything but enough details of the plight and the achievements of the black race. At HBCUs, students are presented with an in-depth look at our story. Huey P. Newton, James Baldwin, Marcus Garvey, and Ida B. Wells are put into perspective and become our heroes. The Great Migration, The Harlem Renaissance, and empires in Africa are highlighted and become more than a small thing that had taken place.

3. Diaspora & Culture

The coming together of young black adults from a plethora of places, a melting pot of sorts, is an awesome thing. We pick up the slang of people from a variety of states, are introduced to a ton of new dances, and get a look into the styles ranging from New York to DC to Florida. It is quite an experience...facts.

4. Marching Band

I might be being slightly biased because I am a band-geek (dancer) myself, but nothing tops a marching band playing their rendition of all the best songs. Getting the crowd excited and on their feet and musically cheering the home team on is a duty marching bands at HBCUs are pleased to carry out. You know it's real when the entire school comes to the football games especially for the halftime show!

5. Fulfilling a Purpose

Attending school and being able to obtain an education is an opportunity that African American people had previously been denied. HBCUs, with so much historical relevance and meaning behind them, represent a common understanding of knowledge being power. These universities allow black people to be in a position to eventually give back to our communities and our people. Historical Black Colleges and Universities give black people a place to develop themselves and uplift one another while doing it.