If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you may have seen people talking about HillmanTok University. If not, girl, let me put you on! Imagine a fictional, all-Black university where the vibes are immaculate, the learning is free, and the entire internet is your campus. Sounds amazing, right? Well, that’s exactly what was happening. For a moment, at least. Let’s get into it.
How It All Started
It all began with Dr. Barlow, an African-American studies professor who casually posted one of her lectures on TikTok for her actual students. Now, this wasn’t her first time using TikTok for class, but this time? The internet caught wind of it, and suddenly, everyone wanted to enroll.
Before she knew it, thousands of people were flooding her comments, calling her Professor, asking for syllabus, and basically treating her class like a real course. And just like that, HillmanTok University was born, a digital HBCU experience created by and for Black people. You can find a list of all the courses and link to the professors TikTok pages here.
If you’ve ever watched A Different World, you know exactly where the name Hillman comes from. If not, quick history lesson: Hillman College was the fictional HBCU (Historically Black College or University) featured in the show, which was a The Cosby Show spin-off that ran from 1987 to 1993. It was one of the first TV shows to really showcase the HBCU experience, and for many of us who never got to attend one in real life, it was the next best thing. So, of course, when the internet started this whole HillmanTok movement, the name just made sense.
Classes Were in Session!
Once Dr. Barlow’s class went viral, other TikTok professors started popping up, teaching everything from history and finance to literature and even astrology. It was giving the ultimate online university experience - for FREE. And let’s be real, free education? A Black community-driven initiative? It was beautiful to witness.
For those of us who never got the chance to attend an HBCU, this felt like the closest thing to it. The energy was unmatched, the knowledge was flowing, and people were genuinely excited to learn from Black educators in a space created specifically for us.
But, as with most things that get too big too fast, things took a turn…
When the Vibes Shifted
First, TikTok itself started acting up. People noticed that all the HillmanTok professors weren’t showing up on their For You Pages anymore. There was a whole conversation about whether TikTok was shadow-banning these Black educators because, let’s be honest, we’ve seen social media platforms do this before.
Then came the internal drama. Some folks decided that HillmanTok needed ownership. As in, they wanted to claim credit for creating it. And just like that, the communal vibes started shifting. The same people who had built something beautiful together were now arguing about who had the right to claim it.
Someone on TikTok even compared it to the real-life HBCU experience: everything is all good until you get to the financial aid office, and then the stress begins. And honestly? That’s exactly what it felt like. Those feel good vibes took a hard left.
There’s an old joke that goes, “Black people can’t have nothing.” And while I personally don’t subscribe to that thinking, I won’t lie, this whole situation was disappointing. Why does it always seem like when we create something beautiful, we either get outside pushback (*cough* TikTok shadow bans *cough*), or we end up self-sabotaging?
It’s a bigger conversation about capitalism, gatekeeping, and how we, as a people, navigate ownership in a system designed to keep us out. But that’s a whole other topic for another day.
The Power of Preparation
Before all this, Dr. Barlow had just finished a Daniel Fast. If you’re not familiar, the Daniel Fast is a 21-day spiritual fast inspired by the prophet Daniel, where you focus on eating fruits, vegetables, and drinking water while praying and seeking God. It’s all about spiritual discipline, clarity, and preparation.
[Related: Cheers to Clarity: Dry January vs. Fasting - What’s Your Reset Jam?]
Now, I don’t know exactly what she was fasting and praying for, but what I do know is that God showed up and showed out for her in a major way. Not only did she blow up, but she even ended up collaborating with Netflix.
And that right there? That’s a lesson.
We always talk about praying for opportunities, but are we truly prepared for when God answers? Dr. Barlow initially made her page private because of how overwhelming everything was. That tells me she wasn’t expecting this level of visibility. But God!
So let me ask you: Are you prepared for the blessing you’ve been praying for?
Black Excellence is a Forever Thing
Despite all the drama, HillmanTok reminded me of something important: Black excellence is boundless, and when we come together, we can do the incredible.
The fact that an entire free university, even if fictional, was made possible by Black creators across the diaspora? That’s powerful. It’s a reminder that we are the culture, that we are the educators, and that we are the movement.
And as Black History Month comes to a close, let’s not forget: Black history is way too big, way too important, and way too powerful to be contained to just 28 days.
So, whether it’s in February, March, or December, let’s continue to learn, grow, and celebrate ourselves - because we deserve it!
What are your thoughts on HillmanTok? Did you enroll in any classes? Let me know in the comments!