Getting a degree is one thing, but what you decide to do after that is what’s really important. Starting a business is no easy feat, but these HBCU alums make it look easy. Here are a few alumni who started their own legacy and are raising the bar for the ones to follow.

David Bullock: 907 Agency

David Bullock: 907 Agency

Born in Alaska, David Bullock walked onto Howard University’s campus as a freshman and immediately began leaving his mark. He threw parties with his two friends and garnered a reputation as a party promoter whose events were always going viral on Twitter. His parties eventually got the attention of rapper Wale’s label at the time, and they flew him out to South by Southwest (SXSW), where he established a relationship with WRLDFMS Tony Williams. From there, Bullock worked on marketing projects for Diddy and Justin Combs while still being a sophomore student at HU. After realizing he could turn his experience into a career, Bullock founded 907 Agency, a full-service digital and experiential marketing company, in January of 2017. Since then, his agency has partnered with companies like Warner Music Group, Microsoft, Xbox, Revolt TV, and many others. With his hard work, meaningful connections, and authenticity, Bullock found himself on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Marketing and Advertising in 2021.

Born in Alaska, David Bullock walked onto Howard University’s campus as a freshman and immediately began leaving his mark. He threw parties with his two friends and garnered a reputation as a party promoter whose events were always going viral on Twitter. His parties eventually got the attention of rapper Wale’s label at the time, and they flew him out to South by Southwest (SXSW), where he established a relationship with WRLDFMS Tony Williams. From there, Bullock worked on marketing projects for Diddy and Justin Combs while still being a sophomore student at HU. After realizing he could turn his experience into a career, Bullock founded 907 Agency, a full-service digital and experiential marketing company, in January of 2017. Since then, his agency has partnered with companies like Warner Music Group, Microsoft, Xbox, Revolt TV, and many others. With his hard work, meaningful connections, and authenticity, Bullock found himself on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Marketing and Advertising in 2021.

Desmond Attmore & Brian Wright: Six Degrees

Desmond Attmore & Brian Wright: Six Degrees

Staying in the world of marketing, Desmond Attmore and Brian Wright met while attending Morehouse College. Both New York natives, Attmore and Wright initially came together to get a clothing brand idea into motion. However, the focus started to shift once they met producer Mike WiLL Made-It. Wright described it by saying, “He liked what we were doing with our clothing line, so we started running ideas past each other. That was the transition, but it wasn’t challenging because we were growing together. When I graduated from Morehouse, that’s when he had the opportunity to officially hire me as the marketing director for Eardrummer Records.”

Staying in the world of marketing, Desmond Attmore and Brian Wright met while attending Morehouse College. Both New York natives, Attmore and Wright initially came together to get a clothing brand idea into motion. However, the focus started to shift once they met producer Mike WiLL Made-It. Wright described it by saying, “He liked what we were doing with our clothing line, so we started running ideas past each other. That was the transition, but it wasn’t challenging because we were growing together. When I graduated from Morehouse, that’s when he had the opportunity to officially hire me as the marketing director for Eardrummer Records.”

From there, the duo gained more experience and eventually founded their marketing agency, Six Degrees, in November of 2018. Through their agency, Attmore and Wright have worked with numerous companies, brands, and artists ranging from A24 Films and Puma to Doja Cat and Young Thug. In 2022, the men came back to their alma mater to produce the 2022 Homecoming Concert with Pandora and Drake. With a foundation built off the HBCU experience, they make sure to pay it forward by providing jobs and internship opportunities for young Atlanta creatives.

From there, the duo gained more experience and eventually founded their marketing agency, Six Degrees, in November of 2018. Through their agency, Attmore and Wright have worked with numerous companies, brands, and artists ranging from A24 Films and Puma to Doja Cat and Young Thug. In 2022, the men came back to their alma mater to produce the 2022 Homecoming Concert with Pandora and Drake. With a foundation built off the HBCU experience, they make sure to pay it forward by providing jobs and internship opportunities for young Atlanta creatives.

Angel Rich: CreditRich

Angel Rich: CreditRich

Angel Rich is the first Black American to partner with a major credit bureau, but how did she even get there? Rich is an alum of Hampton University and received her degree in marketing. After graduating, she made the switch from marketing to fintech, secured a job at Prudential, and the rest is history.

Angel Rich is the first Black American to partner with a major credit bureau, but how did she even get there? Rich is an alum of Hampton University and received her degree in marketing. After graduating, she made the switch from marketing to fintech, secured a job at Prudential, and the rest is history.

In 2012, she founded The Wealth Factory Inc., where she launched a Credit Stacker app, which was named the best financial literacy product in the country by the White House. With a passion for promoting financial literacy, she launched CreditRich in 2020—an app that teaches people how to pay their bills to improve their credit score. Aside from her personal endeavors, Rich is devoted to giving back to the Black tech community and is the founder of the organization Black Tech Matters.

In 2012, she founded The Wealth Factory Inc., where she launched a Credit Stacker app, which was named the best financial literacy product in the country by the White House. With a passion for promoting financial literacy, she launched CreditRich in 2020—an app that teaches people how to pay their bills to improve their credit score. Aside from her personal endeavors, Rich is devoted to giving back to the Black tech community and is the founder of the organization Black Tech Matters.

Tahir Murray: Legacy History Pride

Tahir Murray: Legacy History Pride

Tahir Murray is a 2021 graduate of Howard University’s School of Business. However, he was making strides in the fashion industry with his brand, Legacy History Pride, well before he received his degree. Legacy History Pride shows love to over 35 HBCUs through apparel by taking institutions’ mascots, mottos, and colorways and creating something fresh and new that students and alumni enjoy.

Tahir Murray is a 2021 graduate of Howard University’s School of Business. However, he was making strides in the fashion industry with his brand, Legacy History Pride, well before he received his degree. Legacy History Pride shows love to over 35 HBCUs through apparel by taking institutions’ mascots, mottos, and colorways and creating something fresh and new that students and alumni enjoy.

He credits his exposure to the fashion industry to his grandfather Ortner Murray, owner of Von’s Sneaker Store in Queens, NY, and his father. Throughout his matriculation at Howard, Murray knew that he wanted to shed light on HBCUs and share the stories and value of what our schools have to offer. Since his launch, Legacy History Pride has had collaborations with Nike, the Brooklyn Nets, the Atlanta Dream, and more recently Paramount, where he was able to put a fun spin on his designs by using Nickelodeon characters on his merchandise.

He credits his exposure to the fashion industry to his grandfather Ortner Murray, owner of Von’s Sneaker Store in Queens, NY, and his father. Throughout his matriculation at Howard, Murray knew that he wanted to shed light on HBCUs and share the stories and value of what our schools have to offer. Since his launch, Legacy History Pride has had collaborations with Nike, the Brooklyn Nets, the Atlanta Dream, and more recently Paramount, where he was able to put a fun spin on his designs by using Nickelodeon characters on his merchandise.

Randy Williams: Talley & Twine

Randy Williams: Talley & Twine

As a student at Albany State University, Randy Williams could never find a watch that he truly liked. Fast forward to 2014—Williams started Talley & Twine to cater to the culture and bridge the gap between luxury and affordability. His former roommate at Albany State, Eric Heyward, joined later in 2019 as COO.

As a student at Albany State University, Randy Williams could never find a watch that he truly liked. Fast forward to 2014—Williams started Talley & Twine to cater to the culture and bridge the gap between luxury and affordability. His former roommate at Albany State, Eric Heyward, joined later in 2019 as COO.

“We make watches dope through our culture—music, movies, fashion—but we were missing from the narrative,” Heyward said. Talley & Twine sets itself apart by remaining authentic, incorporating different designs, and only including the number seven on the face of the watch to remind customers to “finish what you start.” Williams even got the name for the company from a popular intersection in Portsmouth, Virginia, that used to be crime-filled and neglected. With a catalog that continues to evolve and expand, Talley & Twine has collaborated with the Tuskegee Airmen Institute to create a watch that pays homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the organization.

“We make watches dope through our culture—music, movies, fashion—but we were missing from the narrative,” Heyward said. Talley & Twine sets itself apart by remaining authentic, incorporating different designs, and only including the number seven on the face of the watch to remind customers to “finish what you start.” Williams even got the name for the company from a popular intersection in Portsmouth, Virginia, that used to be crime-filled and neglected. With a catalog that continues to evolve and expand, Talley & Twine has collaborated with the Tuskegee Airmen Institute to create a watch that pays homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the organization.

What started with sneakers in Inglewood led to the nation’s only HBCU for design. Now, Dr. D’Wayne Edwards is on a mission to continue leaving a lasting legacy. The former Jordan Brand design director didn’t take the traditional route to higher education — in fact, he didn’t take it at all. But that didn’t stop him from making a name for himself in the footwear world and now, in the classroom.

“From the time I can remember, I was drawing,” Edwards told OffTheYard. “Growing up in the ’80s, it wasn’t the safest place. So my sanctuary was either sports or art. Eventually, that became drawing sneakers.”

“From the time I can remember, I was drawing,” Edwards told OffTheYard. “Growing up in the ’80s, it wasn’t the safest place. So my sanctuary was either sports or art. Eventually, that became drawing sneakers.”

In high school, he started customizing shoes to match his school colors. By 19, he landed a job designing for LA Gear. From there, he worked with streetwear legend Karl Kani, laced hip-hop icons like Biggie and Nas, and eventually got tapped by Nike to help compete with Timberland. That gig led him to Jordan Brand, where he rose to design director and spent over a decade creating some of the most iconic kicks in the game, accumulating over 50 patents and designing more than 500 footwear styles.

In high school, he started customizing shoes to match his school colors. By 19, he landed a job designing for LA Gear. From there, he worked with streetwear legend Karl Kani, laced hip-hop icons like Biggie and Nas, and eventually got tapped by Nike to help compete with Timberland. That gig led him to Jordan Brand, where he rose to design director and spent over a decade creating some of the most iconic kicks in the game, accumulating over 50 patents and designing more than 500 footwear styles.

But something was missing.

But something was missing.

“I didn’t see many people who looked like me,” he said. “I saw them as athletes or entertainers, not as designers sitting next to me.”

“I didn’t see many people who looked like me,” he said. “I saw them as athletes or entertainers, not as designers sitting next to me.”

So Edwards stepped away from corporate life and leaned into purpose. He launched a design academy in Portland, further igniting his passion to mentor young Black talent to enter the design world and rise to the top. That passion led him to Detroit, where he partnered with the family of Dr. Violet T. Lewis, the founder of the Lewis College of Business, which was originally established in 1928 to train Black women for office jobs.

So Edwards stepped away from corporate life and leaned into purpose. He launched a design academy in Portland, further igniting his passion to mentor young Black talent to enter the design world and rise to the top. That passion led him to Detroit, where he partnered with the family of Dr. Violet T. Lewis, the founder of the Lewis College of Business, which was originally established in 1928 to train Black women for office jobs.

In 2022, Edwards reopened the school as the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design. Today, it’s the only HBCU in the U.S. focused entirely on product creation, design, and innovation.

In 2022, Edwards reopened the school as the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design. Today, it’s the only HBCU in the U.S. focused entirely on product creation, design, and innovation.

At PLC, students don’t just sit through lectures — they build real-world experience with top brands from day one.

At PLC, students don’t just sit through lectures — they build real-world experience with top brands from day one.

“We recreate what product teams look like in actual companies — designers, engineers, color specialists, marketing — all of it,” Edwards explained. “Every course is team-based, and every course is built with a company. So by the time our students finish, they’ve already been working like professionals.”

“We recreate what product teams look like in actual companies — designers, engineers, color specialists, marketing — all of it,” Edwards explained. “Every course is team-based, and every course is built with a company. So by the time our students finish, they’ve already been working like professionals.”

And it’s working. In less than 10 years, nearly 1,000 students from his programs have landed jobs in the industry.

And it’s working. In less than 10 years, nearly 1,000 students from his programs have landed jobs in the industry.

But Edwards isn’t stopping there.

But Edwards isn’t stopping there.

He’s also one of the founding forces behind eHBCU.edu, the first-ever digital learning platform built to unify the legacy of HBCUs into one culturally rooted, online destination. It’s backed by a powerhouse coalition of six institutions — Delaware State, Alabama State, Pensole Lewis, and the three Southern University campuses in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and New Orleans.

He’s also one of the founding forces behind eHBCU.edu, the first-ever digital learning platform built to unify the legacy of HBCUs into one culturally rooted, online destination. It’s backed by a powerhouse coalition of six institutions — Delaware State, Alabama State, Pensole Lewis, and the three Southern University campuses in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and New Orleans.

And in July, eHBCU made its in-person debut at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, lighting up the Global Black Economic Forum’s Recruitment Center with an immersive, interactive activation.

And in July, eHBCU made its in-person debut at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, lighting up the Global Black Economic Forum’s Recruitment Center with an immersive, interactive activation.

From July 3 to 6, the eHBCU booth gave festivalgoers a digital taste of HBCU life. Think student-led portrait sessions, video confessionals, “What’s Your E?” reflections, and real-time storytelling that celebrated access, mentorship, and cultural pride. Thousands came through to share their journeys, snap pics, and sign up for courses, certifications, and mentorship opportunities.

From July 3 to 6, the eHBCU booth gave festivalgoers a digital taste of HBCU life. Think student-led portrait sessions, video confessionals, “What’s Your E?” reflections, and real-time storytelling that celebrated access, mentorship, and cultural pride. Thousands came through to share their journeys, snap pics, and sign up for courses, certifications, and mentorship opportunities.

On July 4, Edwards hit the GBEF Mainstage to speak on financial literacy and economic empowerment, delivering a message that resonated across generations.

On July 4, Edwards hit the GBEF Mainstage to speak on financial literacy and economic empowerment, delivering a message that resonated across generations.

“We at eHBCU understand that knowledge is wealth,” he said. “Pensole Lewis is proud to come together with our partner schools to close the knowledge and wealth gap that so many young Black Americans are facing. When we expand accessibility, we create avenues for opportunity.”

“We at eHBCU understand that knowledge is wealth,” he said. “Pensole Lewis is proud to come together with our partner schools to close the knowledge and wealth gap that so many young Black Americans are facing. When we expand accessibility, we create avenues for opportunity.”

The response was overwhelming. From prospective students to media partners, the takeaway was loud and clear — HBCU excellence can now be accessed from anywhere in the world.

The response was overwhelming. From prospective students to media partners, the takeaway was loud and clear — HBCU excellence can now be accessed from anywhere in the world.

“eHBCU removes the geography barrier,” said Edwards. “It allows prospective, current, or former students to log in and learn from anywhere, anytime. But what’s really groundbreaking is that multiple schools are co-creating programs together.”

“eHBCU removes the geography barrier,” said Edwards. “It allows prospective, current, or former students to log in and learn from anywhere, anytime. But what’s really groundbreaking is that multiple schools are co-creating programs together.”

That means a student could, in theory, take classes from four or more HBCUs at once. The platform offers transferable credits and lets users learn on their own time, while still being rooted in Black heritage and excellence.

That means a student could, in theory, take classes from four or more HBCUs at once. The platform offers transferable credits and lets users learn on their own time, while still being rooted in Black heritage and excellence.

So what drives him to keep building, after already reaching the top of his industry?

So what drives him to keep building, after already reaching the top of his industry?

“It’s about showing what’s possible,” he said. “Growing up, just making it to 18 was an accomplishment. I want students to see that they can go beyond survival and start shaping the world.”

“It’s about showing what’s possible,” he said. “Growing up, just making it to 18 was an accomplishment. I want students to see that they can go beyond survival and start shaping the world.”

Edwards is especially motivated by his daughters.

Edwards is especially motivated by his daughters.

“If I could get this far using the Yellow Pages, and they’ve got the internet in the palm of their hands, the sky isn’t the limit. It’s just the beginning.”

“If I could get this far using the Yellow Pages, and they’ve got the internet in the palm of their hands, the sky isn’t the limit. It’s just the beginning.”

As for his legacy, he’s laser-focused on impact.

As for his legacy, he’s laser-focused on impact.

“I want my girls and my students to know they can do anything. I’ve sacrificed so they don’t have to. And I want them to take it further than I ever could.”

“I want my girls and my students to know they can do anything. I’ve sacrificed so they don’t have to. And I want them to take it further than I ever could.”

To learn more about eHBCU, visit eHBCU.edu and follow @E_HBCU on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads.

To learn more about eHBCU, visit eHBCU.edu and follow @E_HBCU on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads.