I grew up in a state where black people only represented 3% of the total population at the time. The good news is that my father was a prominent pastor in our small college town and most of the black community lived in the same neighborhood. So, my world growing up was a bit like existing in a dual universe.

One was becoming a functional youth in a truly segregated “Main Street USA” city which meant battling micro-aggressions from a very young age. My pre-college journey included playing a role in desegregating schools to being the first black summer sales associate at the local department store and being the first to compete statewide on the speech/drama team in high school. 

My other world was the safe cultural oasis of our church and community. Both of my parents and one of my sisters attended HBCUs and are also members of the Divine 9 (National Pan-Hellenic Council). Our culture connection was driven by the people who came to the house or through church related events.   Activism was also part of my childhood – from attending NAACP national meetings to watching my parents’ involvement in local civil rights action (from protests to working towards desegregation) in our town.  My dad’s church was ahead of its time in many ways – he developed a robust music and drama ministry that became nationally recognized and created opportunity for many of us to tap into our God given talents – it touched all age groups and had a profound effect on the community. 

Throughout this journey my young creator/artistry spirit emerged, and I made the decision early on that I wanted to be a professional actress – I could sing, dance and act. Naturally the guidance counselor and my drama teacher at the local high school were super hyped on the possibility of me pursuing a PWI - Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Mellon School of Drama was the first degree-granting drama institution in the United States. It wasn’t until a friend of the family (influential educator) gave me the single most profound advice (another choice) of my life, she said “You won’t be competing against white women for a role on Broadway, the opportunities for black actresses are clearly defined you should consider pursuing your B.F.A at Howard Universities (HBCU), College of Fine Arts”. I didn’t realize at the time how life changing those words would be for both my college career and personal growth.

My choice to attend an HBCU led me to a safe place (container) to focus on refining my craft without the distraction of daily micro-aggressions and systemic racism.  Also, I was blessed with professors who helped me elevate my craft by demanding excellence and challenging us to reach higher than we could imagine – even if it meant a few tears now and then. Failure was not an option. We also experienced master classes from famous HBCU alumni in the entertainment industry. During my time at Howard, I toured with Black Images, Black Reflections - we even did a show in my hometown. On the social front – I made friends with Sorors and classmates that have endured throughout the years. Lastly, my time at an HBCU had a life changing effect on my sense of self and ignited my ambition to succeed despite the barriers and roadblocks that life presents. Attending an HBCU was a divine choice – it’s like a gift that keeps on giving. 

Thanks for reading.

Selena