


Tuskegee University was originally founded in 1881 as the school for Black students by American educator Booker T. Washington. At that time, it was called the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. In 1937 it was renamed as "Tuskegee Institute" and finally to Tuskegee University in 1985.
Notable alumni include the Tuskegee Airmen, fighter pilots who fought in World War II; Ralph Ellison, scholar, author of Invisible Man; Tom Joyner acclaimed radio host; Lionel Richie, R&B singer, Grammy Award winner; and many more.