Description

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In this joyous collection of essays about historically Black colleges and universities—edited by the host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, Ayesha Rascoe—alumni both famous and up-and-coming write testimonials about the schools and experiences that shaped their lives and made them who they are today.

With a distinguished and diverse set of contributors, including Oprah Winfrey, Stacey Abrams, and Branford Marsalis, HBCU Made is the only book of its kind, illuminating and celebrating the experience of going to a historically Black college or university—for proud alumni, their loved ones, current students, and anyone considering an HBCU.

In moving and candid essays about the schools that nurtured and educated them, a wide range of famous alums share their accounts of how they chose their HBCU, their first days on campus, the dynamic atmosphere of classes where students were constantly challenged to do their best, the professors who devoted themselves to the students, the marching bands and majorettes and how they were shaped by their rigorous training.

For some contributors, the choice to attend an HBCU was an easy one as they followed in the footsteps of their parents or siblings. For others, it was a carefully considered step away from a predominantly white institution to be educated in a place where they would never have to justify their presence. And for all, it was an HBCU that took them in and cared for them like family, often helping them to overcome a rough patch.

A collection that brims with insight and school spirit, HBCU Made is a perfect gift for each generation of prospective students and graduates to come.

 

About the Author

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Ayesha Rascoe is the host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday and weekend episodes of Up First.

Prior to her role as host, Rascoe was a White House Correspondent. She covered three presidential administrations. As a part of the White House team, she was also a regular on the NPR Politics Podcast.

Before joining NPR, Rascoe spent the first decade of her career at Reuters, rising from a news assistant to an energy reporter to eventually covering the White House. While at Reuters, Rascoe covered some of the biggest energy and environmental stories of the past decade, including the 2010 BP oil spill.

She’s a proud graduate of Howard University.

Praise For…

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“Ayesha Rascoe is a tour de force, bringing the readers' hearts and mind into the experience of attending an HBCU. This collection of essays is a moving testament to the power of HBCUs and how they shaped remarkable lives and helped foster great talent. I felt transported to these campuses experiencing these raw, honest, funny, hopeful, and inspiring stories.” 
 —Paula Patton, actress and producer

“One of my greatest life regrets is not attending an HBCU. I was accepted to Howard, the Mecca, when I graduated high school in 1989, but due to family concerns was unable to attend. This glorious book by Ayesha Rascoe reinforces everything I dreamed the experience would be. If only I had a Time Machine!  #ShouldHaveBeenABison”

 —Yvette Nicole Brown, actress

“If you know firsthand the joy, the pride, and the promises fulfilled on an HBCU campus, you will smile in recognition.  If you don’t, this collection of essays is a wonderful introduction to that HBCU magic!”

 —Beverly Daniel Tatum, President Emerita, Spelman College and author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?

"Warm testimony about critically important experiences."

—Kirkus Reviews

"A nostalgic, jubilant ode to HBCUs, their breathtaking histories and devoted alumni. HBCU MADE gives clarity and scope to the impact these historical institutions have made in the lives of some of our nation’s brightest and most dignified talents." 

—Wayetu Moore, author of The Dragons, the Giants, the Women

"NPR host Rascoe’s powerful collection of essays… presents a resounding rebuttal to doubters, revealing the unique joys, challenges, frustrations, and rewards of the HBCU experience… Essential reading for our cultural moment. YAs thinking about college will find these perspectives on HBCUs illuminating."—Booklist

Named a Most Anticipated Book of January/2024 by BookRiot and Ebony.