The effect of the American Civil War sent ripples through the fabric of the American South. The effect of the American Civil War was also the most profound on the enslaved people, which were the African Americans. Despite the abolition of slavery in the American South, many plantation owners were reluctant to let the African Americans go. But even after the American Civil War, schools were segregated, and African Americans were treated like third-class citizens. Let’s start with What Black Colleges Are In Atlanta.
The Atlanta University Center is a collection of four historically Black colleges and universities. The universities included in the Atlanta University Center are – Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College.
Black Colleges In Atlanta
The other two colleges and universities that were a part of the Atlanta University Center were Morris Brown College and the Interdenominational Theological Center, but they are not currently part of the Atlanta University Center. The benefit of the Atlanta University Consortium is that it allows students to cross-register as well. These colleges and institutions played a very strong role in the American Civil Rights movement.
Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University is a joint venture between two historically Black colleges and universities. Clark University was established in the year 1869, and the second university, Atlanta University was founded in the year 1865. However, it was not until the year 1988 that Clark University and Atlanta University joined hands to become a stalwart in the Atlanta University Center.
Clark Atlanta University is the biggest college in the Atlanta University Center, and it is actually the first historically Black college and university established in the United States of America. The reason why Clark Atlanta University is so important for Black students is because it was a higher education school that helped shaped the intellectual and academic side of things during the American Civil War and during the Civil Rights Movement.
Clark Atlanta University has actually shaped the course of history by creating pioneering leaders in the fields of education, law, politics, and the collegiate system.
Morehouse College
While Clark Atlanta University shaped the leaders for the benefit of the Black community, Morehouse College leans more towards spirituality by producing thinks and academics. Morehouse College was established two years after the American Civil War concluded.
Unlike other historically Black colleges and universities, Morehouse College caters exclusively to young Black men. In addition, Morehouse College is the world’s only historically Black college and university not to have a co-educational program in place.
Spanning the sciences, the humanities, and the arts, the students enrolled at Morehouse College are very successful since many of them earn doctorates. In addition, Morehouse College has a list of very successful alumni, like Samuel Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr, and Julian Bond.
Morehouse School Of Medicine
As the name suggests, Morehouse School of Medicine was originally a part of Morehouse College. However, Morehouse School of Medicine separated from the main branch of Morehouse College to have its own school, and it is the world’s first historically Black college and university specially catering to the medical field for Black students.
Another point of difference between Morehouse School of Medicine and Morehouse College is the fact that the former is a co-ed college. Driven by an overarching need to cater to the community and improve the health of the community members, Morehouse School of Medicine produces doctors that are all about giving back to their community with an emphasis on providing excellent medical service to all people including people of color.
Morehouse School of Medicine has also alumni which have gone on to serve as the Surgeon General of the United States of America as well.
Spelman College
We have Morehouse College, which is a historically Black college and university that only admits men. The female-only counterpart of Morehouse College is Spelman College which is a historically Black college and university that caters exclusively to the female demographic. Spelman College specializes in the admission of female students who want to study science, engineering, technology, and mathematics.
The students of Spelman College go on to earn doctorates in the areas of engineering, science, and math. Spelman College wants to have a greater representation of female people of color in the science and math field. Along with producing intelligent and conscious leaders, Spelman College also instills a strong sense of social justice in its student body.
Spelman College has its students in the Fulbright and the Gilman Scholars while being the most selective women’s college in the country along with having the highest graduation rate among all the historically Black colleges and universities. Spelman College also played an important role during the American Civil War, and it also has a museum of art made by women of the African or African American diaspora.
Conclusion
Historically Black Colleges and universities have played a pivotal and important role for the African American people, going all the way back to the time of the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement by producing students who can be leaders and think critically while giving back to the community as well. For African Americans to get good quality higher education, historically Black colleges and universities were established in one of the Southern American states, which is Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which films were filmed on the campuses of historically Black colleges and universities?
Important Black movies highlighting their struggles were filmed on the campuses of historically Black colleges and universities such as School Daze, Stomp the Yard, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Hidden Figures.
2. Do historically Black colleges and universities have museums on campus?
Yes, historically Black colleges and universities have museums on campus. Clark Atlanta University Art Museum and the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art are some of the more prominent art museums at a historically Black college and university.
3. What is the address of the Atlanta University Center?
The address of the Atlanta University Center is 156 Mildred St SW, Atlanta, GA 30314.