Becoming the Standard at FAMU
Sean Brown | Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University | Class of 2027 | Graphic Design (Minor: Journalism)
There’s nothing quite like experiencing love, growth, and achievement alongside your own people and that’s exactly what led me to Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. From the moment I stepped into the HBCU space, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
I will graduate in Spring 2027 with a degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Journalism, but my HBCU experience has already given me so much more than a résumé line. It has shaped how I think, how I move, and how I show up in the world.
Some of my favorite moments during my HBCU journey didn’t come from one single event, they came from the accumulation of experiences. Meeting lifelong friends. Expanding my horizons as a social media influencer. Winning Mister Freshman at my previous institution, Paine College. Going on countless side-quest adventures that turned into unforgettable memories. And most importantly, growing not just as a student, but as a more productive, professional man.
One moment that truly stands out was having the honor of participating as a contestant in the Original Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Pageant at Florida A&M University. That experience reminded me that HBCUs don’t just give you opportunities; they invite you into legacy, excellence, and tradition.
When people ask why students should attend HBCUs, my answer is simple: HBCUs don’t just teach you, they see you. They hype you up. They prepare you to win. At an HBCU, you’re not the exception in the room, you’re the standard. You’re surrounded by brilliance that looks like you, professors who genuinely pour into you, and alumni who pull you up instead of gatekeeping.
At an HBCU, you’re not the exception in the room, you’re the standard.
HBCUs turn potential into power. They build leaders, innovators, doctors, artists, engineers, CEOs and everything in between. You get tradition, legacy, unmatched vibes, homecoming energy that breaks the internet, and a network that rides for you for life.
My HBCU experience has prepared me for the real world in ways I didn’t even realize I needed. I learned how to read rooms, understand people, and assess situations before reacting. I learned how to calm down, think things through, and ask myself, “What’s really expected of me here?” Every class debate, group project, and on-campus interaction sharpened my awareness.
I learned how to prioritize and how to juggle multiple responsibilities without losing myself. I learned that perception matters: how you carry your name when no one is watching, how you speak, how you present yourself. I learned how to respond with confidence instead of emotion, how to adjust without diminishing who I am, and how to stay solid when obstacles arise.
My HBCU taught me how to recognize unexpected challenges, evaluate them, and intentionally throw them right back. It made me more self-aware, strategic, and intentional, the kind of intentionality that makes people pause when you speak and realize you’re not comparable.
As for preparing for college, I didn’t overthink it. I trusted God. I let Him lead. I walked forward with faith instead of fear, prayed, and stayed grounded. That’s the same advice I give to future students preparing for an HBCU: don’t overthink what’s been calling you. If a dream lives in your heart, it’s there for a reason.
And if attending an HBCU wasn’t always part of your plan, trust that God will still guide you exactly where you need to be at the right time, and for the right purpose.
Because when you arrive at the place meant for you, everything starts to make sense. #HBCUPride!
Follow Sean Brown at @seansofunny!
