In this month's issue of The Roundup: HBCU Edition, we take a look at the news stories and key moments surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as all of the ways in which HBCUs have helped shape public discourse over the past few weeks.
July 13 - August 10
Funding
While Black colleges are in the spotlight and receiving record-breaking funding amounts, the light isn’t shining on all HBCUs equally and some fear many institutions are being left behind.
Meanwhile, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated recently donated $1.6 million to HBCUs.
Even with record investments in HBCUs, the money invested is not enough to counteract decades of underfunding.
From their inception, many Black schools were given less, but expected to do more and this lack of funding leads to devastating outcomes, including an underrepresentation of Black faculty.
Still, MacKenzie Scott’s approach to philanthropy is in stark contrast to early funders of HBCUs.
Economic Impact
As Scott and other wealthy donors bolster giving to HBCUs, a recent report indicated increased funding for historically Black colleges and universities could help close the racial wealth gap, diversify the American workforce and benefit the national economy.
Others insist that as the economy rebounds, Black schools may be critical in its recovery.
Speaking of the economy, Clark Atlanta University is paving the way to recalibrate the economy to start one million Black-owned businesses.
Clark Atlanta and Tennessee State universities are among the latest institutions to clear balances for students, giving way for more Black students to potentially avoid the debt-ridden fate of many older Black millennials.
Sports
Simone Biles’ legacy may live beyond the Olympics as Grambling considers offering women’s gymnastics.
Amirah O’Neal is the latest celebrity child to elect to play sports at an HBCU.
Leadership and Culture
Do police academies belong at HBCUs? That’s the question many are currently exploring.
Tuskegee University recently announced its new president.
Speaking of leadership, West Virginia State University’s president has resigned.
And, Dillard University’s Walter Kimbrough will leave the presidency next year.
Malcolm Gladwell stopped by the Breakfast Club to talk about HBCUs and college-ranking systems’ racist roots.
This news roundup focuses on the trends impacting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSI). Each month, we highlight the policy, process and programmatic changes happening nationally and among these institutions and how the colleges and universities are responding to them.
