Chapter 1: Institute for Colored Youth (Cheyney University): Philadelphia, PA

The Institute for Colored Youth (ICY) in Philadelphia was founded upon the community cultural wealth (Yosso, 2005) of existing Black churches, social organizations, and learned societies in 19th century Philadelphia. The school not only owed its existence to community cultural wealth but also created and built cultural wealth of its own, beginning as a private secondary school with a primary section and growing into the first Black college in the country. As a secondary institution, ICY provided a first-rate education to its students via a demanding curriculum and outstanding faculty, while also providing educational resources to the Philadelphia Black community at-large. This historical analysis traces the origins of ICY, the unique curriculum, and its notable leaders, educators, and alumni, and finally considers the institute’s legacy. The first section traces the state of education for Black Philadelphians and provides political context for ICY. The second section uncovers the crucial support of religious and community organizations and African Americans prioritizing education early through literary societies and self-education—doing both the work and the advocacy that laid the foundations of ICY. The final section illuminates how ICY’s challenging curriculum delivered by politically engaged educators resulted in a strong network of high achieving alumni and programs and facilities that benefited the city’s entire Black community.