To Conserve a Legacy by Richard J. Powell

Consequently, a number of these institutions have been forced to close. Over the years, some HBCUs have struggled to support their programs and operations. Fundamentally, these schools help to ensure educational equity and economic opportunity for African Americans.

HBCUs offer students a rich cultural experience, strong academic programs, and platforms for social activism, where students and educators have promoted change within their institutions and in the broader society.Īlthough they comprise roughly 3% of the nation’s four-year colleges, HBCUs produce the majority of African American professionals, including doctors, dentists, judges, journalists, and educators. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have stood as educational pillars, beacons of opportunity, and living, institutional reminders of African American achievement. Finding ways to survive and thrive in the face of such adversities is a persistent challenge of HBCUs.Ĭhildren’s Dental Clinic at Meharry Medical College Federal budget cuts and rising college costs, for example, have adversely affected programs and students, the majority of whom are first-generation college/university attendees in need of financial assistance. Today, they boast a full range of academic programs, while the campus size, student enrollment, and academic rigor of these institutions greatly vary.Īlthough they stand as a rich source of social and cultural capital, these institutions are not without their challenges. The majority began with a small number of buildings and offered specialized training in religion, education, agriculture, and industrial arts. The term HBCU stands for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and was created by the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded federal funding for colleges and universities.Įstablished with different educational and training goals in various regions of the country, most HBCUs are coeducational and public. Graduating Class of Bowie State University, 1941Īn HBCU is any accredited college or university established prior to 1964 with the principal mission of educating African Americans.

To Conserve a Legacy by Richard J. Powell