HBCU Graduates Telling The HBCU Story

There are roughly 165 African American owned publishing companies in the U.S. and that number is growing as a result of increased interest in African American narratives and buying from Black-owned companies. These publishers release books on a variety of topics, with a special emphasis on the African Diaspora. Ashley Little, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, a historically Black university in Greensboro, North Carolina, took notice of the increased interest and created the first Black-owned publishing company focused on books about the alumni and traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Little created The HBCU Experience Movement to increase HBCU enrollment and alumni giving — two areas that are essential to the longevity of HBCUs. She aims to bring exposure and attention to HBCU stories around the world. Each of the books that her company has published features prominent HBCU alumni sharing their stories about the role that their HBCU experience has played in making them the people they are today.

Little, who was selected as one of the Forbes Next 1000 in 2021, wants to “change the narrative” about Black people and HBCUs so that people understand the power of these institutions. To date, The HBCU Experience Movement has published ten books and will be releasing more this year. Some of the releases include: The HBCU Experience: North Carolina A&T State University; The HBCU Experience: Southern University System; The HBCU Experience: Virginia State University and The HBCU Experience: The HBCU Band Alumni. Most of the books include a variety of HBCU alumni voices and Little is hoping to partner with more HBCUs to tell their alumni stories in the future.

Little stated that her commitment to sharing HBCU stories sprung from her experience at North Carolina A&T State University, where she learned to “always reach back and help others, and to be a servant leader.” The young entrepreneur also shared that what she enjoyed the most about attending an HBCU was “the family environment, mentors, support, life-long friends who turn into family, and the professors who know your name and who genuinely want you to succeed.”

Of importance, Little grew up in a home dedicated to pursuing education, with her parents telling her that “the one thing no one could take away from her, was her education.” From an early age, her parents took her to HBCUs as they believe in the value of an HBCU education. Little continued her family legacy of attending an HBCU when she enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University — her father’s alma mater. Her mother also graduated from an HBCU — Shaw University, located in nearby Raleigh, North Carolina.

According to Little, “Having a Black-Owned HBCU-focused publishing company is important because our stories need to be shared and heard. As Black people, we do not document our stories enough.” She plans to expand the company, pitch to investors, and continue publishing the work of HBCU authors. As a result of The HBCU Experience Movement, according to Little, “our stories will be told for us and by us.”