A Heated Night at Tougaloo
Charleston White, the controversial online personality and self-styled motivational speaker, set off fireworks during his recent appearance at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. The September 9, 2025 event was billed as a debate, but quickly unraveled after White made inflammatory remarks that didn’t sit well with the student audience.
Standing before the packed room, White declared, “F** racism, I don’t believe in racism,”* before going further to dismiss HBCUs altogether, telling the crowd, “I don’t give a damn about no HBCU, I went to a white school.” His words drew audible gasps and a sharp response from one student who asked, “Why would you come to an HBCU then?” Within minutes, the event spiraled, ending with White storming out of the building as students followed him off campus.
White’s YouTube Response
In the aftermath, White turned to his YouTube platform to explain his perspective. He claimed the event was misrepresented to him, saying he believed he would be part of a joint discussion with two schools. His debate partner, whom he referred to as “Dr. Scholar,” allegedly combined topics like snitching, race, class, gender, and sexuality under the broader civil rights umbrella.
White said he felt the framing was “confusing” and “misleading,” and that he was caught off-guard when the debate linked street topics like “snitching” to systemic oppression. “I just decided to talk real to those kids,” he told his YouTube followers. Still, his dismissive comments about racism and HBCUs overshadowed the explanation, fueling criticism across social media and campus circles.
A Pattern of Clashes with HBCUs
This isn’t White’s first brush with controversy in the HBCU community. Back in 2023, during an appearance on The Danza Project podcast, he mocked Bethune-Cookman University as a “special ed HBCU,” while falsely claiming that none of its football players had ever reached the NFL. In reality, the Wildcats have produced more than 40 NFL athletes, including Rashean Mathis, who spent over a decade with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Such remarks have left many questioning whether White’s criticisms stem from ignorance, calculated provocation, or both. His comments at Tougaloo only reinforced his reputation as a provocateur who thrives on controversy.
From Prison to Polarizing Public Figure
White’s life story is well-documented. Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1977, he lost an eye in childhood and later spent years incarcerated for his role in a robbery at age 14. After his release, he pursued higher education, eventually earning a criminal justice degree from Texas Wesleyan University. He also co-founded Helping Young People Excel (HYPE), a nonprofit aimed at mentoring youth.
Despite those strides, his online persona often overshadows his community work. White has built a massive following by leaning into blunt, shocking commentary on race, crime, and culture — a strategy that continues to divide audiences, particularly in spaces like HBCUs where history, culture, and identity are deeply cherished.
What’s Next for Tougaloo and Beyond?
As of now, Tougaloo College has not issued a formal statement on the incident. Students on social platforms have expressed both anger and disappointment, with some calling for stricter vetting of campus speakers. Others argue that the backlash proves HBCUs remain central to the national conversation on race and identity, regardless of attempts to discredit them.
For White, the fallout may not slow him down — controversy has become part of his brand. But his comments raise bigger questions for HBCUs: How should institutions engage with polarizing speakers? Is there value in the confrontation, or does it risk undermining the culture these schools fight to preserve?
Final Thoughts
Charleston White’s visit to Tougaloo ended in chaos, with students chasing him off campus after remarks that cut against the very mission of HBCUs. His YouTube defense may have added context, but it did little to cool the firestorm. In the end, the incident reaffirmed the power of HBCU students to push back against voices that attempt to diminish their legacy.