Supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Investing in the Future
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been vital to Black education since the 1800s. The first HBCU, Cheyney University, was founded in 1837. Its goal was to educate Black students who were denied entry to other institutions of higher education. Today, these schools remain important places for learning, culture and leadership. They provide a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and socially. HBCUs help students gain vital skills in entrepreneurship and career readiness, which can help propel them toward future career success and wealth creation. In this way, for many students, HBCUs transform education into economic power. HBCUs are essential drivers of upward mobility for Black students. Investing in HBCUs has a positive impact on the Black community and society as a whole.
The Enduring Importance of HBCUs
HBCUs have been a cornerstone of Black education since their inception in the 19th century. They were established to provide educational opportunities to Black students who were systemically excluded from predominantly white institutions. These institutions have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of higher education and fostering the growth of Black communities. HBCUs offer a unique environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and culturally, nurturing Black excellence and pride.
Despite historical and ongoing challenges, HBCUs continue to be relevant and essential in the 21st century. They provide a supportive and culturally relevant learning environment for Black students, fostering a sense of belonging and community. This is particularly important given the marginalization and isolation that Black students often experience in predominantly white institutions.
The Economic Impact of Investing in HBCUs
Investing in HBCUs yields high returns for communities. A recent White House research report, “2023 HBCU Enrollment and Longer-Term Outcomes,” found that HBCUs excel at attracting and supporting Black students, resulting in higher graduation rates and strong career outcomes. Roughly 30% of HBCU graduates rise by two or more income levels by age 30 compared to 18% for Black students at non-HBCUs. The report also emphasized how HBCUs support stable career paths, particularly in STEM and how HBCU students and graduates play a key role in diversifying STEM fields. HBCUs are essential investments in economic mobility and equity within Black communities.
HBCUs are economic engines that drive career success and community development. They consistently produce graduates who become doctors, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, scientists and leaders. According to the Brookings Institution, HBCUs outperform expectations in producing high levels of upward mobility, especially for low-income students. The value of an HBCU education extends far beyond personal success or academic accomplishment. It is rooted in a deep commitment to service, leadership and community uplift. Many graduates feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back, opting for career paths that benefit their communities. They return to work in under-resourced schools, start businesses that create local jobs, lead grassroots health initiatives, and actively participate in civic life. Many of the nation’s educators are HBCU alums, highlighting these institutions’ deep commitment to advancing education and equity. For example, Xavier University is recognized as a national leader in STEM and health sciences, consistently producing numerous students who graduate from medical schools each year.
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With limited investment, HBCUs are enrolling only 3% of the United States’ African American students and producing more than 25% of the nation’s African American graduates. HBCUs outperform non-HBCU institutions in retaining and graduating first-generation, low-income African American students. HBCUs consistently produce graduates who become doctors, judges, and engineers.
Supporting Black Students: A Holistic Approach
HBCUs place great emphasis on nurturing and lifting up students. Care at HBCUs is expressed in multiple ways that involve a safe and welcoming campus environment, mentoring programs, relationship building between students and faculty, support services, and affordability. Support for Black students at HBCUs is demonstrated through various means, including academic, social, and financial support structures that are tailored to their unique needs.
Mentorship programs at HBCUs play a crucial role in supporting students academically, personally, and professionally. Having mentors who understand the unique challenges faced by Black students can positively impact their educational journey. HBCUs demonstrate care for students by providing support services that are culturally affirming and personally validating. Many HBCUs offer specialized support services, such as tutoring, counseling, and academic advising, to help students navigate the challenges of higher education successfully. Student retention services include programs for first- and second-year students as well as transfer students. Care at HBCUs is also expressed by making a post-secondary degree affordable for Black families. Tuition at HBCUs is often lower than at comparable non-HBCU schools. However, student debt is still a real problem for HBCU graduates.
Cultivating Black Culture and Identity
While HBCU culture is inimitable, across HBCU institutions researchers have noted how they promote awareness of and pride in Black culture, Black history, the accomplishments of Black people collectively and individually, and Black contributions to all areas of life, but especially to social and political justice movements. HBCUs often incorporate a curriculum that reflects the cultural and historical experiences of Black students. HBCUs also provide culturally relevant experiences to their students and alumni. One of the most beloved HBCU experiences is homecoming. The HBCU homecoming experience is so deeply rooted in HBCU culture that in 2022 the National Museum of African American History & Culture featured it in exhibits and events. Although this particular exhibit is no longer on display, it is a permanent part of the museum’s web page as part of the history of HBCUs. Political and social advocacy is also an integral part of the HBCU experience. HBCUs have a strong emphasis on social justice and activism, encouraging students to become advocates for positive change in their communities.
HBCUs provide a unique sense of community and belonging for Black students, who often feel marginalized and isolated in predominantly white institutions. This sense of community is fostered through various activities and events, such as engagement with the greater community in which the HBCU is located, mentorship programs, and student organizations. HBCUs tend to have strong alumni networks that actively engage with the local community and current students, providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and financial support. Lady Buds, a program based out of the Spelman College Office of Alumnae Engagement, pairs teen girls in Atlanta with an alumna member who mentors them with the goal of advancing their educational and personal goals. Mentoring Brothers in Action is a mentoring program that pairs boys from Big Brothers Big Sisters with college students who are members of three Black fraternities: Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Omega Psi Phi. The National Association of HBCU Students and Alumni has a mentoring program for current HBCU students, the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) National Alumni Council provides leadership training and mentoring to its members, and Divine Nine organizations are frequent partners for fundraising and volunteer work with local chapters of the United Way, St.
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HBCUs often provide leadership opportunities for students, fostering the development of skills that go beyond the academic realm, including involvement in student organizations, community service, and campus governance. This leadership extends well beyond graduation. Lastly, HBCUs help Black students gain a sense of pride in their university through several intentional strategies using branding and identity, success stories and role models, and engagement with history and legacy.
Addressing Financial Disparities
Despite their significant contributions, HBCUs have historically faced systemic underfunding and financial instability. This disparity in resources compared to predominantly white institutions has created challenges for HBCUs in terms of infrastructure, faculty salaries, and student support services. The Biden Administration, after years of underfunding from the federal government, committed over $16 billion to support HBCUs. However, there remains a significant gap in financial support and stability for HBCUs, especially when it comes to endowments. According to UNCF’s 2022 report, the median endowment for all HBCUs is $13.7 million compared to $36.7 million for non-HBCUs. The nation’s largest endowment belongs to Harvard University at nearly $50 billion. foundations steadily decreased their support of HBCUs between 2002 and 2019. They awarded $65 million to HBCUs in 2002; by 2019, giving decreased 30% to $45 million (not adjusting for inflation). Independent foundations accounted for 66% of grant dollars, while corporate and community foundations represented 21% and 12%, respectively. Among the 1,607 foundations that supported HBCUs, the median aggregate dollar amount awarded was $11,000. The median number of HBCUs supported was one.”Meanwhile, the average Ivy League institution received 178 times more foundation funding than the average HBCU. In total, Ivy League schools received a combined $5.5 billion in philanthropic dollars compared to HBCUs’ $303 million.
Part of the philanthropic sector’s commitment to equity must include tackling the impact of generations of systemic inequality and underfunding. We must remain steadfast when institutional and political forces try to scare us into backing away, not just during moments of heightened awareness around racial justice, as we saw during the summer of 2020.
The Role of Philanthropy and Partnerships
Philanthropic organizations, corporations, and individuals have a crucial role to play in supporting HBCUs. By providing financial resources, expertise, and mentorship opportunities, these entities can help HBCUs overcome financial challenges and enhance their programs and services.
True partnership looks and feels like deep listening and learning between the HBCU and the supporting partner(s). Supporting partners should think about creating options for students. As examples, presidents mentioned state flagship institutions creating partnerships with HBCUs within and beyond their state. Others mentioned partnerships with companies that have tuition reimbursement programs so that students can avoid the burden of debt and be able to improve their lives and those of their families.
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Robert F. Smith's Commitment to HBCUs
Smith is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and supporting education reform, which is why he invests in HBCUs and their students. In his commencement speech to the 2019 graduating class of Morehouse College, Smith pledged to eliminate the loans of the graduates and those held by their guardians in their names. These students were able to go back to their communities free of student loan debt to build their lives and pursue their passions. Smith’s action empowered them to pay it forward and create generational wealth. After the Morehouse College commencement, Smith developed Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) as a scalable solution to the problem of student debt.
The Future of HBCUs
Black students are thriving at HBCUs. Those three characteristics emerged as central themes in A Profile of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, a new report from Every Learner Everywhere. A Profile of Historically Black Colleges and Universities is part of a series that also includes profiles on Tribal Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The series was developed to help providers of services better understand the needs of these institutions. The profiles are based on current literature, government and advocacy organization publications, and conversations with faculty, staff, and students.
HBCUs are not relics of the past; they are vibrant institutions that continue to make a significant impact. They are dynamic, evolving institutions preparing leaders for the future.
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