Rooted In Legacy

HBCU Reflections on Beauty and Belonging

Sierra Burrell - Alpha Kappa Alpha

Why did you choose to attend an HBCU?

I’ve always looked up to my sister. I wanted to be just like her for as long as I can remember. She went to an HBCU. Actually, she went to A&T and that was my introduction to the school. I remember feeling so good when I stepped foot on A&T’s campus. Granted I was ten years old, so college felt very far away, but I distinctly remember a feeling of belonging. It’s wild when I think back to it, but I know I felt it. My mom also went to an HBCU, Hampton University (it was Hampton Institute when she went), and her fond memories also drew me to HBCUs. I applied to a slew of colleges when the time came, and ultimately decided on NC A&T because they had my preferred major, a lively campus life, and offered me scholarship money. I definitely had people that questioned that decision because several peers went to the “expected” schools in VA. I didn’t knock their decision but also didn’t want to go to a PWI. I wanted the HBCU experience and I wanted to go where I felt like I belonged.

For vet school, Tuskegee was my first pick. It is currently the only HBCU with a veterinary school and has the most diverse graduating classes by far. I had several professors at A&T that earned their veterinary degree at Tuskegee. It’s an institution steeped in history and I had that same welcoming feeling when I visited campus. It’s like I knew I was home.

How did attending an HBCU positively shape your perception of hair and beauty as a Black Woman?

I learned so much about hair and beauty at school. There were so many different types of Black women at that school with so many backgrounds. I figured out how to do my own hair and who to go to when I couldn’t achieve the look I wanted. I went through several hairstyles while I was there and eventually decided to go natural. My sister did my big chop in 2009 at our kitchen table. I’d been transitioning my hair for a few months and was ready to cut off my relaxed hair. My different textures were fighting with each other and I felt like I was ready for a new chapter. It was a really freeing experience. I also appreciated the unapologetic Blackness that I was able to see every single day. People showed up how they wanted and expressed themselves through hair, beauty, and fashion. It didn’t matter if you were just going to the cafeteria, you’d show up looking great. I think that helped me take pride in my appearance and improved my confidence in general. I didn’t want to be caught slipping, but I also felt free to explore my style without being on the receiving end of microaggressions that you’d encounter in a different situation. No one asked if my hair grew overnight or if my hair was real or if they could touch it. That just wasn’t a part of the experience. I could be who I wanted to be in a safe environment and l’m forever grateful for those formative years.

Beyond an education, what did your HBCU give to you that you carry for the rest of your life?

I learned so many life lessons at both of my HBCUs. I learned who I was, what was important to me, and what kind of impact I’d like to have on the world. I was nurtured and cared for in a way that I will never forget. My professors cared about me and wanted me to succeed. I will always be appreciative of that and strive to make others feel cared for. I was reminded that being in community is vital to our survival. While I’m an introvert, I try not to pass up opportunities to be in community with other Black people. There’s nothing like it. Being in Black spaces is an integral part of my self-care. It feeds me in a powerful and unique way.

Sierra Burrell for Soft Rows