Initially, the purpose of historically black colleges was to offer African Americans in post-slavery America the opportunity to receive the education and training required to thrive socially and financially. Students were primarily taught agriculture, science and teaching, so they could develop their own farms, make advancements in the field of science, and teach subsequent generations how to excel. With the encouragement of W.E.B Dubois, historically black colleges began to open their curriculum to include the liberal arts as well. According to State-University.com, by 1950, historically black colleges and universities had been responsible for educating 90 percent of black Americans obtaining college degrees.
Although there were nonhistorically black colleges and universities available during the years after the Civil War, these schools systematically refused admission to black Americans. White legislators recognized the necessity of educating blacks, but were affected by the prevalent racism in 19th century America. In an attempt to compromise, the "Plessy vs. Ferguson" Supreme Court decision of 1896 established that black Americans had the right to "separate but equal" education in the eyes of the law. Scores of historically black colleges and universities were founded after this decision, to provide blacks with the same educational opportunities afforded whites.
Historically black colleges and universities were also established to provide an environment where young African-Americans could be nurtured and mentored. In the early years, upon admission, a large number of students were not reading or writing on a college level, and needed additional assistance and tutoring before they could successfully begin a college curriculum. While these students wouldn't have been admitted to a white college or university based on these shortcomings, HBCUs recognized the need to assist students based on the positive effect it would eventually have on black society as a whole.
One of today's purposes for historically black colleges and universities is to educate blacks on their own African (and African-American) culture and heritage. Students are able to organize and participate in events specifically geared towards their cultural history that are not available at primarily white institutions of higher education. This includes oral and written history, exposure to black artists, scientists, educators and innovators, immersion in African-American philosophy and religion, indepth information on blacks before, during and after slavery, as well as the ability to live, learn and love with like-minded individuals who have endured similar upbringings and societal experiences. Students also get the opportunity to benefit from the wisdom of previous generations of professors, administrators and alumni.