My HillmanTok University Spring Schedule

Cold Open

This spring marks eight years since I graduated from Howard University’s Cathy Hughes School of Communications, the first graduating class under the new name, may I add. My class even went viral for our swag surf at graduation.

Yup, that was us. One of the first to do so. If not, thee first. I'll fact-check later.

It doesn’t even feel like eight years. Time flies when you’re struggling. I thought I’d be further along in my career by now, and definitely not laid off, but hey, here we are. Since I’ve got a little extra time, why not go back to school for the free 99? It seems on-brand for an educated Black woman like myself.

Thanks to Apple, I just got TikTok back after reactivating my iPhone last month, which means I can finally enroll in HillmanTok University. Of course, just my luck, there’s drama among the professors right when I’m ready to register. But every school has a little scandal, especially my alma mater. I was there when Tyrone and them were allegedly stealing financial aid money.

Yup, that Tyrone.

Here’s my Spring 2025 schedule:

Hoochie History 101 – Taught by The Hoochie Historian

I’ve been following Thee Hoochie Historian for a while, so I’m making this class my African American Studies requirement. It’s not an HBCU experience without one. Plus, the course explores "debunking misconceptions, highlighting pioneers, and how hoochie culture has stayed true to its roots throughout the decades," according to Thee Hoochie Historian.? Sounds like a fun and educational way to embrace my inner hoochie.

Self-Centering Studies: Decentering Men, Reclaiming Joy & Centering Black Women – Taught by Love Edwards

The title says it all. No further explanation needed.

Gardening 101 – Taught by Professor Dominique Kinsler

With grocery prices higher than a- I forgot this is Linkedin, anyways I need to learn how to grow my own everything. My grandma tried to teach me about gardening back in the day, but at the time, I was too busy rushing back inside to the AC. The Virginia heat is no joke. Looking back, I should’ve paid more attention. Like cooking, gardening in 2025 feels more like a survival skill than a hobby.

Buying Land 101 – Taught by Mocawas

If I’m going to grow my own food, I need land, or at least a backyard. But if I get real land, I could start a farm, sell produce to local stores, and create a passive income stream. Loading…

Personal Finance 101 – Taught by Multiple Instructors

Being laid off from my full-time job and relying on part-time work has made me pay serious attention to my finances, or lack thereof. I say all this to say, I will be early, early to this class.

Self-Publishing 101 – Taught by Sophia Latriece

I’m writing a YA novel that I’d love to have a publishing house behind, but if not, I want to be prepared to publish it myself. Who better to learn from than Sophia Latriece? She’s self-published over 17 books and short stories and is a ghostwriter, another career path I’m highly considering.

Braiding for Beginners – Taught by Instructor S

The way hairstylists operate in LA, this class is a mandatory requirement for me to graduate.? I thought it couldn’t get any worse than Atlanta. I even wrote a whole short film about it.

Shameless Plug: Hey Boo, streaming on Peacock and Tubi.

Apparently, I was wrong. LA is indeed worse. But we’ll get into that in a later episode.

Jada A, aka Instructor S, teaches braiding basics, from parting to kid styles. She recommends using a mannequin head or a real person to practice on, but I’ll just practice on myself. By the end of this class, I will be able to add "braider" to my resume and secure the bag all spring and summer.

We Got Food at Home – Taught by Lauren

A while back, I started a TikTok series called We Got Food at Home. My first video, a Chipotle Mexican Grill bowl dupe, has 198K views. I want to bring the series back, so hopefully, I can learn some new recipes and fast food dupes from Professor Lauren. Because all 2025, we got food at home, if it’s affordable.

HillmanTok University offers many necessary classes in today’s climate, but between my part-time jobs, writing, figuring out my life, and getting these Pink Drafts to ya’ll every week, this schedule is more than enough. I’ll be sure to provide an update on my classes. But I want to know, are you enrolling in HillmanTok University? Maybe we can start a study group. Let me know in the comments!