H i storically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a critical and outsized role in advancing education, equity, and economic mobility for African Americans and many others. These vital institutions have built the Black middle class. However, Donald Trump’s recent executive order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and state-based legislative actions restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) (e.g., legislation in Florida, Texas, Alabama, etc.) could challenge these institutions and their educational offerings. To counter these challenges, HBCUs can pursue several strategies: advocacy, strengthened networks, diversified funding, and expansion of their initiatives. Direct legal and policy advocacy is essential. Partnering with civil rights organizations, such as the NAACP, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and the Urban League, will enable HBCUs to challenge restrictive executive orders and advocate for supportive policies at both state and federal levels. These coalitions can also launch public education campaigns to demonstrate the negative consequences of anti-DEI measures and emphasize the
broad societal benefits of equity- driven initiatives. Policymakers and the general public must understand what is at stake, and HBCUs must direct the narrative about their worth and efforts. HBCUs should also clearly articulate their core mission of serving Black students and reaffirm their unwavering commitment to student success. By strategically framing programs as student success initiatives, leadership development, or workforce readiness efforts, HBCUs can align their work with broader educational goals while maintaining their focus on equity. In essence, they can continue to do the work they have always done. Expanding and strengthening networks is essential. Collaborating with other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), higher education associations like the American Council on Education, and corporate partners will help amplify HBCUs’ collective voice and enhance their ability to counter challenges. These collaborations will establish a unified front against harmful policies and facilitate resource sharing, which is essential given recent funding cuts to higher education.
Diversifying funding streams will be crucial for long-term sustainability. HBCUs will benefit from cultivating relationships with additional corporate sponsors, particularly in technology and workforce development. Moreover, they must engage a broader range of philanthropic organizations committed to racial equity. This outreach has the potential to generate scholarships, research funding, and support for student services. HBCUs must also mobilize alumni in many ways, including supporting their alma maters and educating those in their local communities about the power of HBCUs. Alumni networks can also advocate for HBCU funding and policies that protect DEI efforts in higher education, nonprofit organizations, and corporations. Storytelling has always been vital to the success and sustainability of HBCUs. To raise awareness about their significance, HBCUs can encourage students to share their experiences through social media, opinion pieces, and advocacy campaigns. Additionally, by highlighting the success stories of graduates and emphasizing the economic and social impact with empirical data, HBCUs can help shape – or re-shape – public narratives and
secure greater support. HBCUs might also consider producing social media campaigns and establishing partnerships with local, regional, and national news outlets to convey the importance of continued investment in HBCUs. Data-driven research is essential. HBCUs can continue to produce compelling research on racial disparities, economic mobility, and the impact of various policies. This research offers concrete, evidence-based arguments in favor of equity-driven education. By using a multi-faceted approach, legal advocacy, coalition-building, financial diversification, strategic reframing, and public engagement, HBCUs can continue to resist and thrive. They have always been pillars of resilience. Through methodical action, HBCUs can safeguard their mission and ensure they remain spaces of empowerment and opportunity for African American students and so many others. Marybeth Gasman is the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair and a Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University.
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