Virginia Union Legacy Tee

Uncommon Programs and Exclusive Partnerships for HBCU Students

Learn more in this article about the innovative and unique programs, curriculums, and partnerships that are shaping the next generation of Black excellence.

Beneficial First Year Student Programs For HBCU College Students

Your first year at college is bound to be an overwhelming experience. These beneficial student programs for first year college students will help you succeed.

HBCU College Application Guide: What You Need To Know

Trying to figure out the college application process? Let us guide you toward understanding how to apply to college and make it easy for you and your family.

Tips and Resources to Keep You Safe on Campus

Navigating an HBCU campus can bring up important safety considerations. Review our safety tips, recommendations, and resources to help you stay safe on campus.

How to Evaluate the College Experience - Not Just the College!

Choosing which HBCU to attend can be difficult and it is important to consider campus life when evaluating your options. Find out what to consider in this article.

Cultural Studies and Cultural Experiences at HBCUs

Whether you want to pursue a degree in Black studies or you're looking for an immersive cultural experience, HBCUs have a lot to offer! Read more here.

How to Get the Most Out of Your HBCU Campus Tours

Campus tours are an important part of evaluating which HBCU college is right for you! Find out how to get the most out of your HBCU campus tours in this article.

Great Gift Ideas for HBCU Grads in 2022

Sentimental, personal, and creative gift ideas for HBCU graduates. Celebrate the HBCU grad in your life with some of these thoughtful recommendations!

How HBCUs Do More to Help their Students Succeed

How do Historically Black Colleges and Universities help their students succeed? By doing more to provide an environment that fosters a sense of community.

Top 5 HBCUs in 2022

With over 100 schools nationwide, there are so many Historically Black Colleges and Universities we can be proud of. Here are the top five HBCUs in 2022!

Black Style Icons throughout History

Black influences in fashion are seen clearly in the LegacyHistoryPride collection. Now we take a moment to look back at Black style icons throughout history.

How to Maintain Healthy Relationships with Your Family while You're in College

You're off to college! A new chapter of relationships is ahead of you, but you still may need your family. Read our healthy family communication tips here!

A Brief Look at the History of HBCUs in the US

Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation have always fought against the odds. See how in our very brief history of HBCUs in the US.

Why HBCUs are Critical to the Black Community

It should only take us seconds of reading today's headlines, and certainly those of the past, to realize the crucial, continuing importance of HBCU's for the Black community and our entire country. Students of color should have and deserve a safe and empowering environment to provide them a place to embrace their racial identities.

The Athleisure Take Over

Athleisure has taken over contemporary lifestyles within the last few years, making waves with clothing that offers comfort and functionality. Merriam-Webster defines the term as "casual clothing designed to be worn both for exercising and for general use." More and more, people are opting for apparel that's comfortable for the gym yet stylish enough for casual outings like brunch, shopping, and anything in between.

HBCU Golf

Golf programs at HBCUs have seen an ebb and flow in their teams, with the number of Black players decreasing in recent years. Reported by The African American Golfers Digest, there are 33 HBCUs with golf teams, but that number has decreased in the last few years due to financial strife. Top programs from Grambling State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State have all been dropped, citing inability to fund their programs. According to ESPN's The Undefeated, only 40% of the MEAC is made up of Black male golfers.

Collegiate Apparel Licensing

If you've ever had an idea for a product that would showcase your HBCU, you'll need two things: collegiate licensing and a marketing plan. To produce anything featuring a collegiate trademark, you must acquire a license in order to use it. Without one, you'll be illegally manufacturing products that infringe upon a school, and we don't want that! To avoid legal troubles, the best plan of action is to first contact the school you'd like to include in your products.

Why Are Collegiate Hoods Worn?

The world of college traditions can be almost mystical. From fraternity traditions to campus specific traditions such as walking through the Spelman arch on graduation day, a sense of tradition is important. A common tradition in universities across the country is to wear certain garb on graduation day. So why are collegiate hoods worn? Let's take a close look at this matter.

Collegiate Apparel Industry

While athleisure wear has been thriving for some time now, the explosion of collegiate branded apparel is giving it a run for its money. When you look at the collegiate apparel industry, it's certainly a booming market right now and looks on track to stay that way. Why is the collegiate apparel industry growing in popularity? Let's look at some facts.

What is a Legacy?

The world of higher learning can be overwhelming with all the terminology. From navigating the class options to figuring out admissions, the process of applying to college can be a big deal. Many students hear a term and wonder what it is. Are you wondering, what is a legacy? If you have heard the term legacy student and been at a loss for what it means, you are not alone. So, what is a legacy? Let's take a look.

Materials Used in Our Collegiate Apparel

When shopping with us, you might have questions about the materials we use. We offer only the best in terms of quality, longevity, and comfort, and it shows in the materials used in our collegiate apparel. Let's take a look at the most common materials used in our collegiate apparel to put your mind at ease with every purchase.

Good Gifts for an Incoming Freshman

When someone in your life is starting the exciting journey of attending college, it is a momentous occasion worthy of celebration! Whether you are the parent of the student or a family friend looking to celebrate their new journey, here are a few good gifts for an incoming freshman.

Collegiate Apparel Sizing Guide

When it comes to shopping for the latest in college gear, you need to know a few basic of sizing to get the right fit. With our helpful collegiate apparel sizing guide, find the right corresponding size for your needs.

Why HBCU Apparel Matters

Beyoncé's landmark Coachella 2018 performance made HBCUs the focal point of the festival, some even calling it "Beychella." Queen B came out on weekend one of Coachella sporting a custom collegiate-lettered crop hoodie reading 'ΒΔΚ'. The look, sound, and feel of attending an HBCU came correct—Bey highlighted a lifestyle we already know and love here at LHP. In this article, we'll discuss exactly why HBCU collegiate apparel doesn't just look good, but it matters in our community and history.

HBCU College Traditions

Traditions are what make pursuing higher education vibrant for both students and faculty. Tradition is rooted in history for every school and invites students into the family year after year. HBCU traditions help make up what life is like while attending school. Some traditions are what schools are known for, like the famed Yardfest at Howard University. We've picked a few HBCUs with impressive campus customs that we love.

Why HBCUs Are Important

Despite the innumerable successes on behalf of our country's HBCUs, there remains the ever-irritating question—are HBCUs relevant in today's world? While most vehemently argue in favor of these institutions, there are still some who find them outdated and unnecessary. Now, more than ever, HBCUs are vital in every aspect.

Why Go to An HBCU?

According to a recent Gallup-Purdue survey of 50,000 college alumni over two years, the reasons for attending an HBCU stack up in a big way. Of the respondents, about 50% of black HBCU graduates said their college or university was "the perfect school" for them. In comparison, only 34% of non-HBCU alumni agreed. HBCUs are a lot different than PWIs, or, Predominately White Institutions. With minority groups as the majority, the environment of an HBCU is totally different than a PWI. In this article, we'll go over some great reasons for attending an HBCU.

HBCU Colleges

Historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, are defined by Congress as institutions "established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans." According to the Pew Research Center, there are 101 HBCUs in the United States and U.S. Virgin Islands. This article will offer an overview of HBCUs—the most popular schools, tuition rates, and typical enrollment.

HBCU Mascots

For many schools, having a mascot to boost moral gets the student body excited to rep their school and be active members of their campuses. Who doesn't love a strong, well-designed mascot that they can wear on their gear? One thing that isn't always apparent is how a school decided on their mascot. The beginnings of some are as simple as a campus wide vote, like with the Hampton University Pirates. For others, folktales are offered up as potential explanations. In this article, we're going over five HBCU mascots that have interesting origins that, unless you were a student there, you definitely didn't know about.

HBCU Organizations

Aside from academics, there are tons of opportunities that HBCUs offer their students to help them take advantage of their four years. Sporting events may occupy a large portion of your school focus, but student organizations and opportunities can make the college experience an incredibly memorable one. We'll run through a few notable HBCU organizations and opportunities—some heavy on the fun, others geared towards helping you build your future.

HBCU Religious Connections

For the majority of HBCUs, service is a pillar next to truth, honesty, integrity, dignity, and other qualities that make these institutions historically revered and important. Service, while tied to community, is strongly rooted in religion. HBCUs are often funded in part by the black church, whichever denomination that may be. After the Civil War, education for slaves, former slaves, and other free blacks became a priority of various Baptist conventions, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the United Methodists, and the United Church of Christ. HBCU religious connections run deep, impacting education, experience and history.

HBCU Trivia

How much do you know about your HBCU? You might know everything about it—from its origins to the reason why your school chose its mascot. How well would you do when tested on others? Let's find out with some HBCU Trivia. Check out these 10 questions and see how many you've got down.

How to Support an HBCU

Whether or not you went to an HBCU, supporting these institutions is critical to their survival in higher education. With government funding notoriously lower than PWI schools, HBCUs often struggle with the pains of financial and structural difficulties. While attendance has seen a surge in the last few years, these schools need our help to continue prospering. Here are some ways to truly help on and off HBCU campuses.

History of HBCUs

From a history saturated in racism came the very essence of black excellence. After the Civil War ended in 1865, formerly enslaved African Americans left plantations in pursuit of everything that embodied freedom, including education. During the war, public policy and some statutory provisions prohibited the education of blacks in certain parts of the U.S. Those seeking education were denied from traditionally white institutions, so new paths were forged. Here is an abbreviated history of how HBCUs came to be.

History of the Varsity Jacket

The letterman jacket is one of the most iconic pieces of historical apparel around. Each year, it's reinvented by countless brands and never seems to fall out of fashion. Every high school and college seem to have their own varsity jackets, including HBCUs.

HBCU Marching Bands

When thinking of HBCU marching bands, a few things may come to mind. The first being the famed 2002 Nick Cannon film Drumline, which focuses on the inner workings of a black marching band. The movie features Clark Atlanta's Mighty Marching Panther Band and Morris Brown College's Marching Wolverines. You may think of a more recent event—Coachella 2018. Beyoncé brought along HBCU alumni from the legendary DRUMline Live group to perform alongside her during her groundbreaking performance. The band's look, sound, and energy made HBCUs a trending topic, garnering millions of views from festival attendees and social media.

HBCU Greek Societies

Are you a brother or sister of a black Greek organization, or thinking about joining one at your HBCU? There are a number of black Greek societies that all have their own missions. Here is an overview of HBCU Greek societies that might help shed some light on who they are and what they represent.

HBCU Baseball

HBCU baseball is popular among many black institutions because of its history as a success story for minority groups. Black athletes have played baseball since the 1800s, heavily contributing to the sport over the last two centuries. Like most sports, baseball was segregated until the mid-20th century. Now, black athletes are prominent members of major league baseball, including HBCU alumni.

HBCU Basketball

The buzz of basketball is ever present on many HBCU campuses. Like football, the energy surges through campuses as the season begins as one of the most popular HBCU sports. Black athletes have been playing basketball since its invention in the beginning of the 20th century. Much of this can be credited to a Howard Bison alum named Edwin Henderson. After graduating from Howard, Henderson went on to earn an athletic training Ph.D. from Central Chiropractic College in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1904, he attended a training class at the Harvard Summer School of Physical Education for gym teachers, and this is where the invention of basketball was unveiled. Excited about this new game, Henderson brought basketball back to Washington D.C. For the remainder of his life, Henderson worked tirelessly to build the foundations of black basketball.

HBCU Football

Of all of the sports at the collegiate level, football remains a crowning jewel. By fostering community on campus, raising funds, and motivating schools towards success, this sport has been a driving force for many HBCUs. Since the 19th century, HBCU football has continued to shape what the NFL looks like today.

HBCU Influence on Pop Culture

Pop culture and HBCU life have mutually influenced one another for many years. Television, film, and celebrities have contributed to waves of increased enrollment. Likewise, the richness of black culture on HBCU campuses found its way into the music of musical legends like The Notorious B.I.G and themes of popular sitcoms.

HBCU Growth

In the larger dialogue of HBCUs, there are countless articles deeming that these institutions are on their way out. With financial struggles, poor business models, funding needs, and a plethora of other reasons, many believe this narrative of decline to be accurate. However, this isn't all true. While there are unmistakable factors that contribute to decreased attendance—like tuition costs or PWI recruitment—there are just as many positive points to make about HBCU growth. This is especially true within the last two years since so much has shifted in our country.

HBCU Scholarships

College, unfortunately, isn't cheap, and not only comes with a lot of expected costs like tuition, room, and board, but also unexpected costs that just pop up.

All Women HBCUs

Today, education is more important than ever. Not only that, but it is becoming increasingly more inclusive, offering students opportunities to get an education and earn their degree in an area of study when they possibly weren't able to consider college before.

HBCU Trivia Part 2

We've got even more trivia to test your knowledge and help you learn a little bit more about some of the colleges, even some you may be considering attending!

Study Abroad with an HBCU

Study abroad with an HBCU offers students a variety of options when it comes to seeing different areas and countries, all while getting points towards their degrees.

Alumni HBCU Organizations

When you graduate from college, it can feel like that chapter in your life is closing. Hopefully you're moving on to a new job in your field, with new friends, new coworkers, and new responsibilities.