By relying on the educational models of Wilberforce Universityand Morehouse College, this study gathered historical artifacts that provide critical responses to the following research questions: What were the similarities and differences between the social, historical, political and cultural forces that led to the founding of the colleges? What were the similar and different motivations and interests of the founding leaders? What were the similar and different effects of these founding leaders on their institutions in their time period? What similar and different supports did these institutions receive from their religious organizations? What can we learn from the impact of these institutions on Black higher education over the last 150 years?