DeShara C. Doub

As we celebrate the centennial of Black History Month, I'm spotlighting HBCUs whose extraordinary beginnings were shaped by trailblazing women, leaders whose vision and courage created lasting institutions of learning and opportunity.

Founded in 1897, Voorhees College began as the Denmark Industrial School, a place dedicated to educating African Americans in academic subjects and practical trades during the Jim Crow era. Its founding heart and spirit can be traced to Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, a determined educator who believed deeply in education as the pathway to empowerment and change.

Born in Denmark, South Carolina, Wright was inspired by her own education at Hampton Institute, where she studied under the leadership model of Booker T. Washington. With a fierce commitment to her community and a belief in self-help through education, she led efforts to open the Denmark Industrial School to serve Black youth in the rural South, often in the face of limited resources and widespread resistance.

In 2020, Voorhees College's campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized not just for its historic buildings but also for its role in African American education and heritage. The campus itself tells a story of resilience, community pride, and enduring legacy.

Catch the first half of Black History Month posts on my page and join me daily in February as I share powerful opportunities to capture, and honor Black history of the past, present, and future.

Black History Month marks a century of recognizing the achievements, resilience, and enduring legacy of Black communities in the US. A powerful strand in that legacy is the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) rooted in religious faith. Today, I'm shining a spotlight on the incredible legacies of the final faith-based HBCUs that I've had the privilege of visiting (so far).

Wiley University was established in 1873 under the Methodist Episcopal Church, offering educational opportunities to formerly enslaved people and their descendants. Its foundation on Christian principles informed its mission of academic excellence, moral development, and service to others.

Have you heard of or seen the movie The Great Debaters? This was the story of Wiley's debate team, who has earned national fame since the 1930s for defeating top-ranked universities, at a time when few Black institutions were invited to such contests. Their story continues to inspire students and scholars alike.

Catch the first half of Black History Month posts on my page and join me daily in February as I share powerful opportunities to capture, and honor Black history of the past, present, and future.

As we honor a century of Black History Month, I'm shining a spotlight on the incredible legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), especially those with deep roots in faith. Through my scholarship in Black Church Studies, I've had the privilege of visiting several faith-based HBCUs, witnessing firsthand how these institutions nurture leadership, faith, and academic excellence.

Founded in 1882 by the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church in Jackson, Tennessee, Lane College has long integrated faith with learning, shaping generations of scholars and leaders. An interesting fact about Lane College, their athletic teams are called the Dragons, symbolizing strength and resilience, a perfect reflection of the school's ensuring spirit.

Catch the first half of Black History Month posts on my page and join me daily in February as I share powerful opportunities to capture, and honor Black history of the past, present, and future.