by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
January 27, 2025
Deemed “Hillman College,” extra Black professors are becoming a member of the web effort to show every part from historical past to monetary literacy 101 to TikTokers.
Black professors-turned-TikTokers have begun lessons for the digital age at “HillmanTok” College.
Many Black professors have began documenting their course choices via TikTok, permitting customers exterior the classroom to participate within the curriculum. The pattern began with Dr. Barlow, an African American Research professor, who used the platform to work together together with her college students on the favored app.
@afamstudies
Welcome to Intro to African-American Research Spring 2025!
♬ unique sound – Dr. Barlow’s Intro to Af-Am
Providing her syllabus, she detailed the course expectations and studying supplies they’ll use all through the semester. Nonetheless, TikTokers didn’t notice Dr. Barlow made the video for her real-life college students.
As her movies gained extra traction, different Black professors started to observe swimsuit, permitting customers to study extra about sure topics. Some are providing free weekly stay lessons full with homework. From historical past to monetary literacy 101 to screenwriting, these academics are serving to college students study whereas scrolling. “HillmanTok” college students now even have an educational advisor to information them on whose accounts to observe to remain on prime of their research.
@dracanteen Tik Tok College official pupil Orientation. I am your Advisor Dr. Amanda Canteen #tiktokuniversity #tiktokadvisor #fyp #tiktokteacher ♬ unique sound – Dr. A. Canteen, BA, MEd. Ed. D
Noticing her rising reputation for her precise class, Dr. Barlow then posted a TikTok Syllabus for her atypical on-line college students to observe.
@afamstudies
My listing for Black Research adjustments yearly and is restricted to time. Though this isn’t complete, it’s my start line. Hope you take pleasure in!
♬ unique sound – Dr. Barlow’s Intro to Af-Am
One other TikToker defined how Dr. Barlow’s preliminary video led to the sample of different professors lending their information. The person mentioned that the assist comes after the 92%, the variety of Black girls who voted for Kamala Harris, determined to pour into their neighborhood and never deal with Trump’s presidency.
@djneurospicy @HillmanTok Univeristy Everybody go observe this account! Actually the very best mistake ever made 😍 #hillmantok #blacktok @Dr. Barlow’s Intro to Af-Am ♬ unique sound – AJ or Angie
“Right here’s the way it goes, Trump turns into president, the 92% say they’re minding their very own enterprise,” started the TikToker. “Dr. Barlow posts a video about African American research and its only for her college students. As a result of we’re starved for neighborhood and when Black girls inform us to do one thing we pay attention, all of us ‘enrolled.’”
Whereas Dr. Barlow expressed shock to see customers past her precise 30-student class tuned in, she now leads the pattern throughout Black TikTok. Now, TikTok College has develop into a web-based discussion board with tens of lessons and faux-faculty to show the Black neighborhood regardless of the political local weather.
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