For many young people, the idea of going to college is shaped by what they’re exposed to. Some grow up surrounded by relatives who attended college and can name their alma mater without hesitation. Others come from hardworking families where careers were built through the military, trades, entrepreneurship, or years of work experience. Education can still be valued in those families; the path is just different. This can determine a student’s awareness of certain colleges.
For some Black students, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are introduced early on. They grow up hearing stories from parents, grandparents, and relatives about their “illustrious” alma maters, homecomings, marching bands, and Greek life. For others, HBCUs are barely mentioned because no one in their immediate circle attended one. It becomes difficult to consider an option that was never introduced.
That is where HBCU Week comes in.
Returning to Wilmington, Delaware, from September 13–20, HBCU Week 2026 will bring students and educators together through college fairs, scholarships, on-the-spot admissions, panels, career opportunities, and community events. Though the event is focused on future college students, the week also welcomes alumni, professionals and anyone looking to celebrate HBCU culture. Founded by Ashley Christopher in 2017, the initiative was created to connect students with HBCUs and expand their access to educational and professional opportunities.
The impact is already measurable. The 2025 college fair resulted in 682 on-the-spot acceptances, 909 full-ride scholarships, and more than $12.8 million in scholarship offers.
While the numbers are impressive, the exposure may be even more important.
Discovering an HBCU can introduce students to histories, traditions, and communities they may have never encountered before. For many graduates, the experience becomes about more than earning a degree. It can create a deeper understanding of identity, culture, and community that follows them long after graduation.
“I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the education and experience I had at an HBCU,” said Stephen A. Smith, HBCU Week ambassador and Winston-Salem State University alumnus.
HBCUs certainly have their challenges, from funding disparities to limited resources. Still, generations of graduates continue to carry an unmistakable pride in their institutions. There may be playful arguments over which school is the most “illustrious,” but beneath the rivalries is a shared sense of family.
HBCU Week offers students something that can be just as valuable as a scholarship or an acceptance letter: exposure. For some students, that exposure may be all it takes to encourage them to dream bigger while illuminating what is possible.
Na’ilah Burston
