Hello everyone, welcome to the very first episode of Let’s Be Real, your weekly dose of campus advice, history, and culture. This is your host Zhanai Dillard, a proud freshman computer science major here at the illustrious Alabama State University. I am so glad that you decided to tune in with me today.
Today is Thursday, September 18, 2025, and today’s topic is Bama State Basics. As the first episode of many, this episode sets the tone for each episode to come. So let’s quickly discuss what you can expect from this podcast weekly.
This podcast was created as a safe space to have in-depth, unfiltered conversations about our HBCU experience. On this podcast, we will cover topics ranging from the colorful history of our campus and traditions to the intricate culture that makes our campus so special. This is your place to learn and cultivate knowledge about what it means to really love your HBCU.
With that being said, this podcast will occasionally feature guest speakers in correlation to the weekly topic. Guest speakers can be anyone from alumni to relevant members of the student body. My choice to include guest speakers stems from my strong appreciation and commitment to uplifting the student voice.
I believe the student voice truly encapsulates the buzzing spirit of our campus. Now, speaking of buzzing, let’s buzz into this week’s topic, Bama State Basics. You may be wondering what exactly I mean by Bama State Basics.
Let me explain. Today, we will discuss some of the most relevant baseline information for someone wanting to know Alabama State University on a deeper level — the honorable history of our university. Being the oldest historically Black college university in the nation, Alabama State University has cultivated a particularly expansive reputation.
The university was founded in 1867 by nine freed slaves. Their names are Thomas Speed, Joey Pinch, James Childs, Thomas Lee, John Freeman, Nathan Levert, David Harris, Alexander H. Curtis, and Nicholas Dale. These men came together with nothing but $500 and a dream of a space dedicated to educating and empowering their people.
Alabama State University is known for strong business, STEAM, and health science programs. Academically, Alabama State University really shines. With over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs, the university gives students options in just about every direction.
Business, education, health sciences, the arts, and even cutting-edge STEM fields. No matter what you’re passionate about, ASU has a path for you. And here’s something a lot of people don’t know — ASU is one of the few HBCUs in the entire country that offers a PhD in microbiology.
That is a huge deal because it showcases the Hornet Nation’s dedication to producing scientists and researchers who are ready to compete at the highest level. But the learning here doesn’t stop there. Faculty bring in millions of dollars in research funding, which means students get hands-on opportunities with real projects that impact the world.
From studying health disparities to pushing the field of forensic science forward, the work being done at ASU isn’t just theory — it’s life-changing. It’s training the next generation of leaders. The university also played a major role in the civil rights movement here in Montgomery.
Let’s talk about Rosa Parks. Before she became the mother of the civil rights movement, she studied right here at Alabama State, back when it was still called the Alabama State Teachers College. And when she refused to give up her seat on that Montgomery bus, ASU faculty and students were right behind her.
Professors risked their careers to support the Montgomery Boys Club. Then there was Fred D. Gray, one of the youngest and most important civil rights attorneys of his time. He represented both Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in court.
ASU students also staged a sit-in at the Montgomery County Courthouse in 1960, demanding change. It was risky. It was bold. And it sent a message.
The students of Alabama State would not sit quietly while injustice continued. The state government tried to silence them, even threatening the university itself, but ASU stood strong. Of course, we can’t forget the alumni who carry ASU’s legacy far beyond Montgomery.
From trailblazing attorneys and judges to scientists, artists, educators, and public servants, Alabama State graduates continue to make waves across the nation. Their achievements are proof that the vision those nine founders had in 1867 is still alive and thriving today. And that leads me to this — Alabama State isn’t just history.
It’s culture. And culture doesn’t sit still. It grows. It adapts. And it continues to inspire generation after generation.
We honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, and we preserve their legacy by not keeping it locked away, but by living in it every single day. Whether you are a freshman, a senior, alumni, or even a prospective student, this university has something to offer you.
So yeah, Alabama State Basics isn’t just about knowing new facts. It’s about understanding why this school is so special. It’s history. It’s academics. It’s culture. It’s community. It’s all of that rolled together.
That being said, I just want to thank you all for tuning in with me this week. Be sure to tune in for next week’s episode on campus traditions and why we uphold them. You don’t want to miss it. Again, this is Zhanai Dillard, and I’ll catch you next week on Let’s Be Real.
