Bennett College was founded in 1873 as a co-educational ministry school for newly emancipated slaves in the basement of the Warnersville Methodist Episcopal Church (now known as St. Matthews United Methodist Church). In 1926, we were established as a college for women, the institution is credited with the education of many influential leaders, politicians, authors and activists. Bennett is the only all female HBCU in NC and is one of only two in the country. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Bennett is a private, four-year liberal arts college for women. The five foci areas of the College are Leadership, Civic Engagement, Global Citizenship, Innovation/Entrepreneurship and Communications.