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Fisk University - Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Fisk University was incorporated on August 22, 1867. In 1973, the university was named a national historic district. (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) 

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Johnson C. Smith University - From its founding in 1867 (when it was first named Biddle Memorial Institute and then Biddle University) JCSU became the first university in the South to offer professional courses in education. (Photo: Gary O'Brien/Charlotte Observer/MCT via Getty Images) 

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Cheyney University - This is the nation's oldest historically Black institution for learning.(Photo: Cheyney University via Instagram) 

Photo by @cheyneyuniv via Photo: Cheyney University via Instagram/Instagram

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Morehouse College - Founded in what is now the oldest independent African-American church, Springfield Baptist, Morehouse is the oldest and only HBCU strictly dedicated to "producing outstanding men and ethical leaders." (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) 

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Claflin University - One of the few universities founded on the basis of offering education to all "regardless of race, complexion, or religious opinion.(Photo: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)

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Florida A&M University - For the generations of us who want to pursue higher education and become doctors, FAMU is the No. 1 producer of Ph.Ds in Pharmacy. (Photo: Florida A&M University via Instagram) 

Photo by @famu_1887 via Instagram

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Tuskegee University  - Founded on the idea of creating a negro normal school, Tuskegee will always a treasure to America's history.(Photo: Tuskegee University via Instagram) 

Photo by @tuskegeeuniversity via Instagram

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Clark Atlanta University - When we think about higher education and educational opportunities for African-Americans, we think Clark-Atlanta University. Combined from two of its parent schools (Atlanta University and Clark College) CAU is "the nation's first institution to award graduate degrees to African-Americans, and the nation's first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African-American student population."(Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) 

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North Carolina Central Univeristy - In terms of granting African-American opportunities to major in many different focuses, NCCU "became the first public liberal arts institution for African Americans in the nation" during its founding in 1909. (Photo: North Carolina Central University via Instagram) 

Photo by @nccueagle via Instagram

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Grambling State University - Indirectly founded by Booker T. Washington, Grambling initially focused on teaching education, but has criminal justice/safety studies.(Photo: Grambling State University via Instagram) 

Photo by @grambling1901 via Instagram

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Bowie State University - After its founding on January 9, 1865, Bowie State University became known for its teaching degrees. By '95, the university "gained recognition as a leader in the education of science, technology, winning an 11-year, $27 million award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/National Science Foundation, becoming one of only six national Model Institutions for Excellence in STEM."(Photo: Bowie State University via Instagram) 

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Spelman College - Founded in 1881, Spelman College is the oldest institution dedicated to the education of African-American women. In addition, Spelman's successful capital campaign in '96 "brought the college's endowment to $141 million, the largest of any historically black college or university."(Photo: Spelman College via Facebook)

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Howard University - Howard stands as a pillar for African-American education. The university stands firm and "is among the highest producers of the nation's Black professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, music, social work and education."(Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)