KEEP SCROLLING, BUT CLASS IS STILL IN SESSION AT HILLMANTOK
Dr. Barlow was just trying to introduce her syllabus on TikTok. What she didn’t expect was to accidentally launch a whole revolution in online education. Welcome to HillmanTok, where Black educators are taking over TikTok and offering free courses to anyone who wants to learn.
How It Started vs. How It’s Going
It all started when Dr. Barlow, an African American Studies professor (TikTok: @afamstudies), casually posted videos breaking down her course materials. But instead of just reaching her students, her content started spreading…fast. People outside of her class tuned in, eager to learn and before she knew it, her TikTok had turned into a full-on educational hub.
But the wildest part? Other Black educators saw what was happening and started joining in. Now, TikTok is filled with professors, scholars and experts offering lessons on everything from history and philosophy to financial literacy and screenwriting…for free! And just like that, HillmanTok University was born.
A Whole Community
This isn’t just a few professors dropping knowledge. HillmanTok has evolved into a whole experience. There are unofficial "academic advisors," “campus security” (aka people making sure trolls stay out of the comments), and students engaging like they’re actually enrolled. It’s giving HBCU meets digital era, and the energy is contagious.
Dr. Barlow even created a TikTok syllabus so learners can follow along and get the most out of the content. And the fact that this all started as an experiment? Even better.
More Educators to Follow
Dr. Barlow isn’t alone in this. Other Black educators have stepped up to turn TikTok into a legit learning space. Here are some accounts worth checking out:
Dr. Christy (@drchristycs) – Covering social justice, history, and race studies.
Dr. Amanda Canteen (@dracanteen) – Offering academic advice and breaking down key topics.
Professor Letty (@profletty) – Teaching history, philosophy, and identity studies.
Justin Moore (@moorecriticalthinking) – A philosophy professor breaking down complex ideas in an accessible way.
Together, these educators are reshaping what accessible education looks like.
Why This Matters
Let’s be real…higher education has never been the most accessible institution, especially for marginalized communities. Between tuition fees, gatekeeping, and systemic barriers, getting quality education can feel impossible for a lot of people. But HillmanTok? It’s proving that knowledge can be free, engaging and open to everyone.
It also speaks to the power of social media. We always hear about its negatives, but this is a perfect example of how digital spaces can be used to build something real. Educators are meeting people where they are, on their phones, and making learning feel fresh and relevant.
The Bigger Picture
What started as one professor casually posting her syllabus has turned into an entire movement. HillmanTok isn’t just about free education…it’s about reclaiming knowledge, celebrating Black excellence and making learning something everyone can access.
So, what do you think? Is this the future of education? Would you take a TikTok course if it meant learning from top-tier Black educators?
