HBCU leaders convened online Thursday to strategize about the state of historically Black colleges and universities in the country and what can be done to strengthen them. The event was hosted by Virginia Union University and Rice University.
Dr. Terrell Strayhorn
The day-long Black Leadership Across Campuses" (BLAC) Summit 2024 – an ongoing partnership between VUU’s Center for the Study and Preservation of HBCUs and Rice’s Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL) – welcomed a number of current and former presidents of HBCUs to discuss the challenges and opportunities that HBCUs face.
“In a world where the winds of change blow both harsh and hopeful, HBCUs and Black leadership stand not just as beacons of grit, resilience, and empowerment, but as the very embodiment of our collective struggle towards a more inclusive and equitable present and future,” said Dr. Terrell L Strayhorn, director of the Center for the Study of HBCUs at Virginia Union. “As we work tirelessly to navigate the polarizing currents of the 2024 election year, witnessing the gross erosion of DEI initiatives and the rollback of affirmative action, the pivotal role of these institutions and leaders becomes even more crucial.”
The pool of featured speakers for the event included prominent figures in the higher ed space, including former Tougaloo College President Dr. Beverly Hogan; former Alcorn State University President Dr. M. Christopher Brown; Shaw University President Dr. Paulette Dillard; Wiley University President Dr. Herman J. Felton Jr.; and former Wilberforce University President Dr. Elfred Anthony Pinkard, among others.
Dr. Dietra Trent, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, said that despite the investments the Biden-Harris administration has made to HBCUs – more than $7 billion – HBCUs continue to face a myriad of challenges, from lagging revenue and deteriorating buildings to insufficient broadband access and student support.
“Of the nearly $50 billion of federal government annual awards in research and development, less than 0.5%, or about $400 million, is awarded to all HBCUs combined,” said Trent.
HBCU leaders spoke about the top priorities, as outlined in the HBCU Center’s recent study, The HBCU Shift: From Survival & Sustainability to Competitiveness & Transformation. These include enrollment management, student success, fundraising and endowment, infrastructure, technology, and facilities; and academic program relevance.
