With more and more black millennials pushing back against the racism at predominantly white institutions, the appeal of Historically Black Colleges and Universities is growing.
This year alone, black student unions sent demand letters to their institutions seeking housing for black students, an increase in financial support, and even the renaming of buildings that were once owned by slaves.
With these slow improvements, college-bound individuals are looking deeper into educational options at HBCUs.
Walter M. Kimbrough, president of the historically Black Dillard University, praised the HBCU enrollment spike in a Washington Post article.
“Freshman enrollment is up 49 percent at Shaw University, 39 percent at South Carolina State, 32 percent at Tuskegee University, 30 percent at Virginia State University, 22 percent at Dillard University, 22 percent at Central State University, 20 percent at Florida Memorial University, and 19 percent at Delaware State University. Dillard, Philander Smith College (overall enrollment up 29 percent) and South Carolina State University all rely on overflow housing to accommodate the influx of students,” Kimbrough wrote.
From 1976 to 2013, HBCU enrollment experienced a 36% increase. The numbers went from 223,000 to 303,000. These figures are expected to rise in upcoming years.
Last month, an Inside Higher Ed and Gallup survey reported 84 percent of university presidents believe race relations are “excellent” or “good” on campus. However, with the uptick of reported hate crimes on PWI campuses in recent years, these presidents are described as being delusional about what’s happening right under their noses.
Kimbrough went on to write, “Predominantly white institutions should continuously work toward inclusive campus environments because it is the right thing to do. This is tough work, and will require genuine leadership from the top (hint- hiring a chief diversity officer is not an answer; the president IS the chief diversity officer).”
With the issues of race and police brutality being at the forefront of the Black Lives Matter fight, students are finding support and comfort at HBCUs. This is exciting as we continue the discussion of preserving the history of HBCUs and and continuing their legacy.
