16 celebrities you probably didn't know attended historically black colleges and universities

Historically black colleges and universities, aka HBCUs, were established long before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, on the premise of providing higher education for African-Americans. After Congress passed the Second Morrill Act of 1890, states with nonintegrated land-grant colleges were required by law to create land-grant schools for black students. In addition to training in agricultural and mechanical arts, classes on black history were also a curriculum priority.

From Tennessee State University and Tuskegee University to Howard University and Morehouse College, HBCU alumni include prominent figures and A-list stars such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Toni Morrison, Oprah Winfrey, Lionel Richie, and Taraji P. Henson. In the spirit of homecoming season, scroll on to learn which other celebrities attended HBCUs.

Yahoo Lifestyle is excited to highlight the rich legacy of homecoming style at historically black colleges and universities! And we want to hear from current students and alumni! Here’s how you can participate: share your photos and videos on Twitter and Instagram with the hash tag #HBCUstyle for a chance to be featured on our site.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

? 15-year-old Skai Jackson designs sophisticated clothing line for teens

? Black Students Say ‘Make America Great Again’ Girls Knew Howard University Was An HBCU

? The Trump Administration Is Creating An HBCU-Specific Executive Order — But What Does That Mean?

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