Which university was founded in 1867 to educate Black professionals and leaders?

• A. Howard University
• B. Fisk University
• C. Hampton University
• D. Morehouse College

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing how Reconstruction-era institutions were shaped to prepare Black Americans for professional roles and leadership in society. Howard University, founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., was created with the explicit aim of educating Black professionals and leaders who could contribute across fields like law, medicine, education, and public life. It was established with support from the Freedmen’s Bureau and Northern religious groups, signaling a national effort to build a flagship institution for Black advancement in the capital. While Fisk, Hampton, and Morehouse are all important early HBCUs founded in this period, Howard’s founding mission centered specifically on forming a national cadre of Black professionals and leaders, which makes it the best fit for the prompt.