Higher education has been critical in Black history as a pathway to social and economic advancement. Despite facing significant barriers and systemic racism, Black individuals have long pursued higher education to break down these barriers and drive change in their communities.

One of the earliest institutions for higher education for Black students was the Institute for Colored Youth, founded in 1837 in Pennsylvania. This institution later became Cheyney University, the oldest historically Black college and university (HBCU) in the United States.

HBCUs played a crucial role in providing educational opportunities for Black students when many other institutions barred them from admission. Prominent leaders and scholars such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, and Mary McLeod Bethune emerged from HBCUs, demonstrating the intellectual and leadership capabilities of Black individuals.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s also had a significant impact on higher education for Black individuals. The desegregation of schools and universities opened up more opportunities for Black students to access higher education at institutions that were previously closed to them.

Today, HBCUs continue to thrive and play a vital role in higher education, producing a significant number of Black professionals, leaders, and scholars in various fields. Additionally, there has been a growing focus on diversity and inclusion in higher education to ensure that all students, regardless of race or background, have equal access to educational opportunities.