HBCU History and Culture Access Consortium

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HBCU Featured Collections

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Despite historical obstacles, these collections speak to the power of generations of Black intellectual and creative excellence. Through a shared sense of mission and vision, HBCUs and their repositories reflect an unwavering belief in the value of education and the power of telling one’s own story.

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CAMPUS LIFE

The World of HBCUs

No Less Lovely Being Dark

ACADEMICS

A Mind is a Marvelous Thing

ACTIVISM

Doing Battle Where We Stand

Legacy of Black Joy

COMMUNITY

Connection to Community

What is the HCAC?

The History & Culture Access Consortium (HCAC) is a first-of its-kind initiative for Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) archives and museums led by the Office of Strategic Partnerships at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) a Smithsonian Institution.

Clark Atlanta University

Florida A&M University

Jackson State University

Texas Southern University

Tuskeegee University

Clark Atlanta University

Florida A&M University

Jackson State University

Texas Southern University

Tuskeegee University

Art of the Negro: Native Forms, 1950-52, Hale Woodruff. Clark Atlanta University Art Museum Permanent Collection

Collection Stories

The HCAC Digital Archive features over 2000 objects from the collections of five distinguished HBCU museums and archives, showcasing their academic, activism, and artistic traditions. Each Collection Story highlights a significant item while offering readers a compelling glimpse into the transformative and revolutionary world of HBCUs—into their vibrant and varied campus culture and rigorous, life-altering academic programs—and uncovers the complex stories these collections hold.

Learn with Us

Discover, learn, and celebrate African American culture and history through our diverse online learning resources. Suitable for a variety of audiences, these materials provide invaluable insights into the powerful stories and artifacts showcased in our digital archive.

Theory

Advancing Black Digital Humanities

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Practice

Cultivating Community

Impact

Empowering Future Generations

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HCAC Exhibition Opening January 2026!

The At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs exhibition is currently on view at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) through Sunday, July 19, 2026.

At the Vanguard weaves together stories of ingenuity, artistry and resistance — through the historic collections from Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University and Tuskegee University Archives and Museums.

HCAC Exhibition Opening January 2026!

The At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs exhibition is currently on view at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) through Sunday, July 19, 2026.

At the Vanguard weaves together stories of ingenuity, artistry and resistance — through the historic collections from Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University and Tuskegee University Archives and Museums.

Introducing the HCAC

The History & Culture Access Consortium (HCAC) is a first-of-its-kind initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) led by the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC).

Welcome to the HBCU Digital Archive

At the Vanguard

Making and Saving History at Historically Black Colleges and Universities exhibition currently on view at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) through Sunday, July 19, 2026 and publication available for sale onsite and online.

Welcome to the Searchable Museum

A place to explore history and culture through an African American lens

Lift Every Voice

Join us in elevating HBCU museums and archives through your gift of support.

HBCU Featured Collections

The World of HBCUs

No Less Lovely Being Dark

A Mind is a Marvelous Thing

Doing Battle Where We Stand

Legacy of Black Joy

Connection to Community

What is the HCAC?

The History & Culture Access Consortium (HCAC) is a first-of its-kind initiative for Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) archives and museums led by the Office of Strategic Partnerships at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) a Smithsonian Institution.

Collection Stories

Learn with Us

Discover, learn, and celebrate African American culture and history through our diverse online learning resources. Suitable for a variety of audiences, these materials provide invaluable insights into the powerful stories and artifacts showcased in our digital archive.

Advancing Black Digital Humanities

Cultivating Community

Empowering Future Generations

HCAC Exhibition Opening January 2026!

The At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs exhibition is currently on view at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) through Sunday, July 19, 2026.

At the Vanguard weaves together stories of ingenuity, artistry and resistance — through the historic collections from Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University and Tuskegee University Archives and Museums.

HCAC Exhibition Opening January 2026!

The At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs exhibition is currently on view at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) through Sunday, July 19, 2026.

At the Vanguard weaves together stories of ingenuity, artistry and resistance — through the historic collections from Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University and Tuskegee University Archives and Museums.

Introducing the HCAC

The History & Culture Access Consortium (HCAC) is a first-of-its-kind initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) led by the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC).

Welcome to the HBCU Digital Archive

At the Vanguard

Making and Saving History at Historically Black Colleges and Universities exhibition currently on view at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) through Sunday, July 19, 2026 and publication available for sale onsite and online.

Welcome to the Searchable Museum

A place to explore history and culture through an African American lens

Lift Every Voice

Join us in elevating HBCU museums and archives through your gift of support.

HBCU Featured Collections

The World of HBCUs

No Less Lovely Being Dark

A Mind is a Marvelous Thing

Doing Battle Where We Stand

Legacy of Black Joy

Connection to Community

What is the HCAC?

The History & Culture Access Consortium (HCAC) is a first-of its-kind initiative for Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) archives and museums led by the Office of Strategic Partnerships at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) a Smithsonian Institution.

Collection Stories

Learn with Us

Discover, learn, and celebrate African American culture and history through our diverse online learning resources. Suitable for a variety of audiences, these materials provide invaluable insights into the powerful stories and artifacts showcased in our digital archive.

Advancing Black Digital Humanities

Cultivating Community

Empowering Future Generations

HCAC Exhibition Opening January 2026!

The At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs exhibition is currently on view at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) through Sunday, July 19, 2026.

At the Vanguard weaves together stories of ingenuity, artistry and resistance — through the historic collections from Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University and Tuskegee University Archives and Museums.

HCAC Exhibition Opening January 2026!

The At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs exhibition is currently on view at the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) through Sunday, July 19, 2026.

At the Vanguard weaves together stories of ingenuity, artistry and resistance — through the historic collections from Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University and Tuskegee University Archives and Museums.

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