Since their inception dating back to as early as 1829, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have continuously represented the notion of possibility and hope for African Americans. As an initial action, these organizations emphasized the educational improvement of Blacks at the elementary and secondary levels. Since the creation of the first HBCU, these institutions of academic excellence have transformed exclusively into postsecondary institutions, ultimately forming a network where thousands of African descendants could obtain an education that they otherwise could not afford due to years of educational suppression and segregation in higher education.