[NinjaPoodle]

I don’t want to get too lengthy so I’ll try to keep this short.My situation is an interesting one.
I was born in the south side of Chicago (predom. black), grew up in San Francisco (very diverse) and attended Jr College, transferred to Grambling (GSU rocks the HOUSE!): D then transferred back home to Jr college then to San Francisco State (yuck!), back to Jr. College, (change major & got AA degree) then applied to another HBCU (Howard) but never heard ANYTHING from them (don't ask how many times I called) so I transferred to an art school (where I am now & very diverse) but will apply to Howard for grad school. Whew! What a mouthful!

Anyway, my experience at Grambling was mind-blowing. At the time I wasn't mature enough to handle myself (bad grades) but what I took from the experience changed my life and views. GSU's motto is "Everybody is Somebody". I am SOMEBODY. Deep in my heart I knew that but at GSU , I FELT IT. One of my teachers made me stand up in front of a mirror and SAY IT and MEAN IT. I really cannot put into words the feelings that I have right now as I type this. I can say that the experience is like no other.

If I ever have children, I will STRONGLY ENCOURAGE them/he/she to attend a HBCU. I've already picked them out: Howard, Spelman or Morehouse, Meharry Medical or Howard Medical, Grambling, and Tuskegee. The only non-HBCU on the list is Oberlin.