?In 1873, several historically significant educational institutions were established, each playing a pivotal role in advancing education for African Americans:?

Bennett College: Founded on August 1, 1873, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Bennett College began as a coeducational institution in the basement of Warnersville Methodist Episcopal Church (now St. Matthews United Methodist Church). It aimed to educate newly emancipated slaves. In 1926, it transitioned to become a women’s college and has since been dedicated to the education and empowerment of African American women.

Wiley College: Established in 1873 in Marshall, Texas, by the Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Wiley College is one of the oldest historically black colleges west of the Mississippi River. Named after Bishop Isaac Wiley, the college has a rich history of academic excellence and social activism. ?

Alabama State University: Originally founded as the Lincoln Normal School in 1867 by nine freed slaves in Marion, Alabama, it became the nation’s first state-sponsored liberal arts institution for African American students in 1873. The institution relocated to Montgomery in 1887 and has since evolved into a comprehensive university. ?

These institutions have each contributed significantly to the education and advancement of African American communities since their inception.