[mpoverlay]It would be easy to tout the continued value of historically black colleges and universities by running down the impressive roster of commencement speakers scheduled for the coming weeks. Political strategists, activists, actors, business leaders, and even the First Lady will stop at a HBCU graduation for the second consecutive year.

But the names of famous speakers and honorary graduates aren’t the most impressive thing at many HBCU commencements. Record-breaking graduate numbers and history-making achievements being celebrated at these events show a prospering black college culture that continues to attract and prepare students for a changing world.

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