Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ Guide to Excellence

From the esteemed President of Hampton University, an insider account that reveals the secret to HBCU graduates’ remarkable success—a distinguished honor roll which includes Vice President Kamala Harris, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Ruth Carter, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and many others.

In his more-than-four-decade tenure as the President of Hampton University—one of 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America—Dr. William R. Harvey has been a champion of the cultural impact and value of HBCUs, demonstrated by the achievements of their numerous notable alumni. Their success is no coincidence. It is the result of a faultless formula that sets HBCUs apart and helps their students thrive—a formula built on core tenets, including displaying moral and wholesome values at all times, continuously pursuing character growth, and embracing communal responsibilities whenever possible.

The mission of Dr. Harvey is to represent Blackness to its highest degree at every opportunity. He is a passionate believer in the remarkability of the Black diaspora in all its complexity and beauty. That conviction drives the timeless lessons he’s adhered to and has instilled in his students: the power of dress to establish respect; the importance of integrity; financial accountability; reverence for elders. It is these tried-and-true lessons and others that have uniquely prepared and propelled HBCU students to success for generations. 

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ Guide to Excellence is a thoughtful and knowledgeable account of what it truly takes to successfully navigate a white world as a Black person while retaining one’s core Blackness. Practical and proven, it lays the groundwork for individual and communal Black prosperity. 

This powerful guide distills decades of leadership into timeless lessons on success and character:

• Character and Integrity: Explore the foundational principles that Dr. Harvey instilled in generations of students, from the power of dress to the importance of financial accountability.
• Vision and Work Ethic: Learn the secrets to cultivating ambition and discipline, following the path of trailblazers from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Oprah Winfrey.
• Mentorship and Community: Discover why the collaborative spirit and lifelong networks forged at HBCUs are a competitive edge in any career.
• A Legacy of Service: Understand the deep connection between communal responsibility, personal fulfillment, and building lasting Black prosperity.