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Library/Activity/HillmanTok University
Grade B22 sourcesHIS-00597

HillmanTok University

Activity · 2025 · Niche

34Editable slideCertificate

An accidental TikTok classroom offered free lessons across more than 400 subjects.

Original · Leah Barlow (@afamstudies)
Clip · @afamstudies on TikTok
Clip · @dracanteen on TikTok
Clip · @marandahenderson on TikTok
Clip · @afamstudies on TikTok
Clip · @shannanejohnson on TikTok
Clip · @afamstudies on TikTok
Welcome to Intro to African-American Studies Spring 2025!
@afamstudies on TikTok
Off to get me some coffee and stop by Trader Joe’s. See y’all next week.
@afamstudies on TikTok
Tik Tok University official student Orientation. I'm your Advisor Dr. Amanda Canteen #tiktokuniversity #tiktokadvisor #fyp #tiktokteacher @Dr. Barlow’s Intro to Af-Am @Dr. Christy @ScreenwritingHelp
@dracanteen on TikTok
My list for Black Studies changes every year and is limited to time. Although this is not comprehensive, it’s my starting point. Hope you enjoy!
@afamstudies on TikTok
I’m not on an official board/committee/admin member for HTU just a gal that made a list of resources 🥹 plz check out my website (in bio) for their official HTU site for help and other great info!
@marandahenderson on TikTok
Celebrating the impact of #BlackTikTok - Newsroom | TikTok
TikTok
HillmanTok, TikTok's accidental university taught by Black educators, is a hit with students
NBC News
Assistant Professor at A&T Sparks Viral HillmanTok Movement
North Carolina A&T State University
Thank you @Jasmine Crockett for the conversation today and the public service that you do!!
@afamstudies on TikTok
HillmanTok & The New York Times: A Reflection One Year Later
Leah Barlow / Space at the Center
Replying to @jaylanwoods Homework is due for Screenwriting 101! 🟢Link in the bio to join the Skool platform. 🟢If you can't attend the workshop, grab the script here 👇🏽…
@shannanejohnson on TikTok
HillmanTok University: This Black professor's TikTok video was meant for 35 students—now it's an internet-wide classroom
The Daily Dot
Black Professors School Social Media Users Via 'TikTok' University
Black Enterprise
How 'HillmanTok' Went Viral Amid an Uncertain Political Climate | BestColleges
BestColleges
HillmanTok, or when Black studies goes viral
Washington University in St. Louis, Center for the Humanities

Spread Score

How it works
Reach31Contagion60Breadth40Velocity5Longevity2734

Numbers

Seed video only; historical lower bound, derivatives uncounted
4.4M
As of Feb 10, 2025 · TikTok · Self-reported · North Carolina A&T State University
Peak date
Week of Feb 10, 2025
Jan 20 ’25 to Week of Feb 10, 2025
Platforms
5
Started on TikTok
Origin
Organic
Education

Mechanics

  • Response chainPrimary
  • Identity badge
  • Maker origin
  • Platform jump
  • Press loop

How it spread

Trace the origin

A class welcome video drew viewers who wanted to enroll. Educators added free courses, and volunteers built HillmanTok around them. National TV and radio followed, Netflix added a tie-in, and a vendor later announced an app partnership.

Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.

Google searchesJan ’25FebMarAprJulOctJan ’26PeakTikTokPressOpen webTVAudio
TikTokPressOpen webTVAudio

14 more events on this chart

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Timeline (17)

  1. January 2025

    Leah Barlow (@afamstudies) seed · Jan 20 ’25

    Barlow posted a welcome video for her African American Studies students.[1][2]

    HillmanTok University: This Black professor's TikTok video was meant for 35 students—now it's an internet-wide classroom
    Open the first post ↗

  2. Leah Barlow owner response · Jan 23 ’25

    Barlow addressed the unexpected audience and said she would share mini-lectures.[3][2]

    Off to get me some coffee and stop by Trader Joe’s. See y’all next week.

  3. Amanda Canteen (@dracanteen) owner response · Jan 23 ’25

    Canteen posted a student orientation and introduced herself as the advisor.[4]

    Tik Tok University official student Orientation. I'm your Advisor Dr. Amanda Canteen #tiktokuniversity #tiktokadvisor #fyp #tiktokteacher @Dr. Barlow’s Intro to Af-Am @Dr. Christy @ScreenwritingHelp
Origin
Organic
Sector
Education
Region
US
Seed video only; historical lower bound, derivatives uncounted
4.4M
As of Feb 10, 2025 · TikTok · Self-reported · North Carolina A&T State University
Evidence
Grade B

Spread the same way

Soft hiking

TikTok · 2023

48
Replying to @LousLife good question! we kind of coined the term ourselves. heres what it’s all about 🤎 #girlswhohike #hikinguk #hiketok #bestfriends #softhiking #softgirlswhohike #softlife

Liu Genghong’s livestream workouts

TikTok · 2022

46
Singer Liu scores smash hit with workout videos

200M impressions

Fancy Like Dance

TikTok · 2021

43
#fancylike ooooooooo💪

Vaseline: The Real Nigerian Prince

Instagram · 2026

23
Chris Okagbue on Instagram: "Scammers have been using the Nigerian Prince name. Now, they’re faking your Vaseline. Let’s put an end to counterfeits. Check if your Vaseline is real via WhatsApp. *…

844.9K impressions

New cases, every week

How the next thing spread, the week it does.

See every timeline

Free account, every case's full spread.

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Google searchesJan ’25FebMarAprJulOctJan ’26PeakTikTokPressOpen webTVAudio
TikTokPressOpen webTVAudio

14 more events on this chart

Join free to see them

  1. January 2025

    Leah Barlow (@afamstudies) seed · Jan 20 ’25

    Barlow posted a welcome video for her African American Studies students.[1][2]

    HillmanTok University: This Black professor's TikTok video was meant for 35 students—now it's an internet-wide classroom
    Open the first post ↗

  2. Leah Barlow owner response · Jan 23 ’25

    Barlow addressed the unexpected audience and said she would share mini-lectures.[3][2]

    Off to get me some coffee and stop by Trader Joe’s. See y’all next week.

  3. Amanda Canteen (@dracanteen) owner response · Jan 23 ’25

    Canteen posted a student orientation and introduced herself as the advisor.[4]

    Tik Tok University official student Orientation. I'm your Advisor Dr. Amanda Canteen #tiktokuniversity #tiktokadvisor #fyp #tiktokteacher @Dr. Barlow’s Intro to Af-Am @Dr. Christy @ScreenwritingHelp

  1. owner response · Jan 25 ’25

  2. owner response · Jan 25 ’25

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Why it worked

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