Spelman College for women and Morehouse College for men, historically black colleges nestled side by side in Atlanta, have long traditions of nurturing their students. A popular philosophy professor told the story of his experience as a young Man of Morehouse, when an alumnus took him for coffee and left him with a $20 bill. He has been paying it forward ever since.

The Men of Morehouse are the students; once they’ve graduated, they become Morehouse Men. The bond is strong for Morehouse and Spelman, and it reaches across generations. “The mission of Morehouse College is to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.“

Morehouse and Spelman provide a safe place for men and women of color to take risks, to fall and get back up without the pressure of representing their race as minorities. The beloved philosophy professor said, “This is the last time your mind will be able to fly like this. Pick it up.”