Cornell University has a rich history when it comes to Black students, faculty, and alumni. It was one of the first universities in the United States to admit Black students, with its first African American student, George Washington Fields, being admitted in 1872. Fields went on to become the first African American to earn a degree from Cornell in 1877.

Throughout the years, Cornell has continued to be a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion on its campus. The university has been home to many prominent Black scholars and activists, including Dr. James Turner, who was the first African American to earn tenure in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences in 1969. Cornell has also been a hub for Black activism and social justice movements, with students and faculty participating in protests and advocacy for civil rights and equality.

Notable Black alumni of Cornell University include Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, civil rights activist Coretta Scott King, and astronaut Mae Jemison. Overall, Cornell University has played a significant role in advancing Black excellence and representation in higher education.