18. Black Education: From Secret Schools to HBCUs
The pursuit of education has been a cornerstone of Black advancement in New Orleans. During slavery, clandestine schools secretly taught reading and writing, defying laws that forbade Black literacy. After emancipation, Black leaders founded institutions like Dillard University, one of the South’s prominent HBCUs. These milestones reflect generations of struggle, sacrifice, and triumph. Today, Dillard and similar colleges continue this proud legacy, nurturing future leaders and shaping the city’s—and nation’s—intellectual and cultural landscape.
