Photos from daily life at HBCUs show moments of joy and activism

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, known as HBCUs, have a storied place in American society, acting as central organizing spaces, cultural bulwarks, and institutions for the education of Black communities before desegregation. These schools still serve a vital role today, but their rich histories — from successful sports teams to homes for national heroes — aren’t as widely publicized.

A recent initiative from Getty Images is supporting efforts to preserve visual stories and histories from HBCUs. The following images were digitized as part of the Getty Images Photo Archive Grant for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), in partnership with the Getty Family and the philanthropic network Stand Together. The program awards a $500,000 grant to digitize up to 200,000 archival photos supplied by colleges and universities.

On Tuesday, the first batch of images from this year’s four recipients was released. “The Getty Images Photo Archive Grants for HBCUs were created to honor the vast history of HBCUs and their contribution to American history,” said Cassandra Illidge, vice president of partnerships at Getty Images, in a Tuesday press release.

First announced in August 2021, the recipients of this year’s grant include Claflin University, Jackson State University, North Carolina Central University, and Prairie View A&M University. According to Getty Images, each HBCU will retain all copyrights for digitized photos, and any revenue will be funneled back into HBCU impact programs, including scholarship funds.

The first batch of images, which will be updated as images continue to be restored, include the campus homecoming queens of Jackson State University, images of student unrest following on-campus police brutality, and even community images from the surrounding town at Prairie View A&M University. Students go about their days in chemistry and domestic arts courses, while basketball players win championships and agricultural clubs take home ribbons for prized livestock. The images show the joy, tragedy, and day-to-day life of HBCU students and their communities.

Check out some of the historic images from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Collection below, ahead of February’s Black History Month.

A young woman wearing headphones stands behind a young man, seated at a desk.

Students participate in a class at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Credit: Claflin University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A group of five majorettes stand on school bleachers, posing for a photo with batons in their hands.

The Claflin University majorettes pose for a picture.
Credit: Claflin University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A man squats down on a basketball court as a group of college players in red uniforms surround him.

Basketball coach Greg Jackson hypes up the university team during tournament finals
Credit: North Carolina Central University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A young woman leans over a table with chemistry equipment, as a teacher and her classmates watch her.

Students participate in a chemistry course, circa the 1960’s.
Credit: Claflin University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

An older man holds a tray with plant samples out to a group of young children.

Members of the agricultural club, 4-H, participate in a wildlife conservation course, led by state leader Dr. E.B. Evans.
Credit: Prairie View A&M University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A woman marches with a group while holding a sign that reads, "Freedom." Another sign behind her reads, "Down with segregation."

Students and community members of Claflin University protest segregation.
Credit: Claflin University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A row of women stand in protest, while one holds a sign that reads, "Human dignity."

Coretta Scott King attends a march for hospital workers in South Carolina.
Credit: Claflin University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A crowd stands outside of a college dorm building, which has bullet holes and broken windows from a police shooting.

Students congregate outside of a dorm building, where two students were killed and 15 others injured by police in 1970.
Credit: Jackson State University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A group of young women stand behind multiple rows of chairs featuring their classwork.

Young women learning about domestic arts pose for a classroom picture in 1918.
Credit: Prairie View A&M University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A young man leads a line of protestors down the street, in front of a large sign for a bowling alley.

Students march down the main streets in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Credit: Claflin University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

Two young women sit in their dorm room, in front of a set of bunk beds.

Two girls pose in their sleeping quarters at Prairie View A&M University, circa 1918.
Credit: Prairie View A&M University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A large group of students sit at desks in a university auditorium.

Students get ready for testing with their instructor keeping an eye.
Credit: North Carolina Central University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A group of students sit on a lawn in chairs, painting on easels set up in the grass at Claflin University

A student art class paints on the green at Claflin University, circa the 1960s.
Credit: Claflin University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

A group of young women sit at desks and smile at the camera, while an older woman stands next to them reading from a book.

Dr. Ethel Williams leads a course to Claflin University students.
Credit: Claflin University / Historically Black Colleges and Universities via Getty Images

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