As a current student of Florida A&M University, it is extremely encouraging and inspiring to see celebrities graduate from Historically Black Colleges and Universities like my own. What many do not realize is that there are tons of celebrities that attended HBCUs and they are now among the best! The excellence that stems from HBCUs is incomparable and often not appreciated enough. So, to give you an idea, here’s a list of a few celebrities that you didn’t know attended an HBCU!

1. Vice President Kamala Harris -- Howard University

What better way to start off than with a bang? Our own VEEP Kamala Harris attended Howard University where she studied Political Science and Economics and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the first Greek letter sorority established by African-American women.

2. Anika Noni Rose -- Florida A&M University

If you don’t recognize her face, you definitely will recognize her voice as she was the talent behind Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog! Rose graduated from Florida A&M University where she majored in Theater and later attended the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco where she studied Drama.

3. Oprah Winfrey -- Tennessee State University

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t know Oprah Winfrey! Oprah is best known for hosting her own talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show", and is now known as the richest African-American woman in the world! Winfrey attended Tennessee State University where she studied Communications after receiving a full scholarship!

4. Anthony Anderson -- Howard University

Anthony Anderson is next up on this list of HBCU alum and is best known for his role as Andre Johnson in the hit television series "Black-ish"! Anderson studied Fine Arts at Howard University, which aided him in his career in acting, comedy, and show hosting!

5. Taraji P. Henson -- Howard University

Actress Taraji P. Henson’s resume is so long to where you can hardly name her best-known role! It should come as no surprise when we say that Taraji studied Acting at Howard University, because the talent speaks for itself!

6. Samuel L. Jackson -- Morehouse College

Believe it or not, one of the world's most renowned actors -- or, as my generation may know him as, Mr. Nick Fury -- attended an HBCU! Samuel L. Jackson graduated from Morehouse College where he studied Drama after switching his major from Marine Biology and Architecture.

7. Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad -- Howard University

Sisters Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad share more in common than their profession in acting and singing; they share an HBCU! Both sisters attended Howard University where Allen studied Classical Greek Literature, Speech, and Theater, and Rashad studied Fine Arts.