An HBCU education — but make it digital!

A new era of accessible learning is unfolding, and it’s being led not from college campuses but from the screens in our hands. In a groundbreaking demonstration of how digital platforms can democratize education, the Black educators behind the viral #HillmanTok movement took their mission all the way to Capitol Hill. In partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and TikTok, the group highlighted how online education—free, immediate, and culturally grounded—is reshaping what learning can look like for millions (Essence).

Inspired by the iconic fictional HBCU “Hillman College” from A Different World, #HillmanTok has evolved into a vibrant digital ecosystem that mirrors the spirit, rigor, and community found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. What began as a simple course preview by Dr. Leah Barlow unexpectedly exploded into a viral academic renaissance. Her video amassed over 3.6 million views and drew 550,000 new followers in a week, proving that high-quality education—when made accessible—can travel further and faster than traditional institutions ever imagined.

From that spark emerged an online universe of courses spanning finance, STEM, humanities, personal development, health sciences, cultural studies, and more. Educators like Dr. Barlow, Shyia Simmon, CPA Thurman Brooks, and Gyllian Carter have built an academic community with reach comparable to major universities—only without tuition, admissions bureaucracy, or geographical limitations. Within just one month, #HillmanTok content generated 955,000 searches, reaching 952,000 unique users and logging 3.5 million video views (Essence). It is, in essence, a digital HBCU with national scale.

“UNCF is proud to partner with TikTok to amplify the transformative power of the #HillmanTok movement,” said Ed Smith-Lewis, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Programs at UNCF. He emphasized that this collaboration uplifts educators, content creators, and innovators who are redefining the future of learning through technology—expanding access, elevating HBCU excellence, and engaging a new generation committed to educational empowerment (UNCF).

Finance remains one of the strongest pillars of the movement, with Brooks and others teaching financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building—subjects that often remain inaccessible in traditional education. But #HillmanTok stretches far beyond money management. Courses cover emergency medicine, forensic science, Black media representation, mental health, career readiness, sewing, gardening, branding, and more. The breadth of content reflects a holistic approach to education: practical skills, academic knowledge, and cultural awareness all interwoven in short-form, digestible lessons.

Educational experts have noted that this shift mirrors a broader national trend. As The Washington Post and NPR have reported, younger learners increasingly seek flexible, interest-driven, on-demand education—something universities have struggled to adapt to. Meanwhile, digital platforms are rapidly becoming primary learning spaces, especially within Black communities seeking culturally informed content that reflects their lived experiences.

During their visit to Congress, #HillmanTok educators met with lawmakers including Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, and Congressman Shamari Figures. In one memorable moment, Congresswoman Crockett underscored the power of knowing Black history and understanding economics—two pillars at the heart of #HillmanTok’s mission to empower future generations.

The movement’s reach extends across all 50 states, with especially strong engagement in Georgia, Texas, California, New York, and Florida—cities like Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles serving as digital hubs for this new learning community. This national footprint is particularly significant at a time when DEI rollbacks are reshaping educational policies across the U.S. While diversity programs are being cut, #HillmanTok is filling the void by creating inclusive, culturally grounded, academically rigorous content outside the constraints of traditional institutions (The New York Times).

The UNCF’s reception for the educators wasn’t merely a celebration—it was an acknowledgment of a historic shift in how knowledge circulates. Education is no longer confined to brick-and-mortar classrooms. It is borderless, mobile, and community-driven. It moves at the speed of culture. And it belongs to the people.

As #HillmanTok continues to grow, it signals a powerful truth:
The next wave of Black excellence is being taught, shared, and celebrated in real time—one scroll, one lesson, and one liberated learner at a time.