Ready, Set, Vote: EBONY’s HBCU Campus Queens Contest Returns

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Are you ready to vote?

It’s time to vote for your favorite HBCU campus queen in EBONY magazine’s HBCU Campus Queens contest. You can click here to vote for the queen of your choice.

The top 10 queens with the highest vote count will get the opportunity to be featured in an upcoming issue of EBONY magazine.

Online voting will begin Wednesday, Dec. 7. And voters are allowed to vote up to three times per day.

Head over to EBONY to read more.

Wiley Receives $1 Million Grant To Improve Job Outcomes Of Graduates

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(Marshall, Texas) -After a six-month planning phase, UNCF announced Wiley College as one of 24 colleges and universities that will receive five-year grants totaling $35.3 million for the UNCF® Career Pathways Initiative (CPI), a transformative effort to design and implement programs to improve employment outcomes for graduates. Wiley College will receive $1 million over five years to implement its “Your Career Starts Now” program.

“Wiley College is honored to have been one of the institutions selected to receive this grant,” said Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, President and CEO of Wiley College. “This transformational initiative will strengthen the College’s career preparation infrastructure and engage faculty more intentionally in facilitating the preparation of students for jobs that will exist when they graduate.”

Strickland said Wiley’s faculty and staff are enthusiastic about the program. “The College is fortunate to have faculty and staff who are committed to working with businesses and employers in Texas as well as throughout the nation to align the curriculum with the competencies and skills needed by employers.”

Ultimately, says Strickland, the institution’s participation in the initiative will lead to increased positive outcomes for students and their families while enhancing the College’s reputation for producing graduates who are ready to compete, lead, and achieve in the workforce. “Wiley’s successful implementation of the ‘Your Career Starts Now’ program will ensure a higher return on students’ and parents’ investment and will enable the College to further enhance and sustain its market niche as one of the ‘best buy’ higher education institutions in Texas.”

You can scroll down to view an interview of Dr. Strickland by UNCF Senior Communications Manager Ashlei Steven.

Made possible through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the UNCF® Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) is a unique pilot program for select historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly black institutions (PBIs) that is helping them enhance career readiness for their 54,000 enrolled students. Many of these students will be the first in their families to earn college degrees. The majority of students are from low-to-moderate income families and must receive federal financial aid to pursue their undergraduate studies.

Wiley College submitted a proposal that reflects a commitment to strengthening career advising and mentoring, enhancing curricula, and supporting integrated co-curricular engagement. As part of CPI, Wiley College and the other selected institutions will develop a range of academic programs, student internships, industry partnerships, specialty certifications, and faculty development as they forge a new model for career readiness.

A complete list of colleges and universities receiving the grants can be viewed here.

“These colleges and universities show promise in significantly addressing the urgent challenges facing African American college students and graduates,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO. “We heartily congratulate Wiley College and the 23 other institutions chosen to lead this important work.”

UNCF launched CPI in December 2015 through a rigorous and competitive multi-phased grant process that targeted 87 eligible public and private HBCUs and PBIs. In the first phase, UNCF made planning grants to 30 institutions. In the final phase, UNCF selected 24 colleges and universities for implementation grants. Of those schools, 15 institutions, inclusive of Wiley and its $1 million award, will receive individual awards ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million. Nine of the institutions have been selected for three cluster grants, in which each cluster of three institutions will collaborate intentionally to achieve their shared outcomes. Each cluster will receive up to $6 million.

This story was written by Wiley College Newsroom. This story is published here with permission.

UNCF Just Launched $35M Initiative To Improve Job Outcomes For HBCU Grads

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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A degree is no guarantee of success in the job market, in particular for black college grads. Many recent black college grads are underemployed and 12 percent are unemployed, a recent research has revealed.

Helping to improve job outcomes for “54,000 enrolled students” at certain historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly black institutions (PBIs), with the help from Lilly Endowment Inc., is a program hoping to make a dent.

“These colleges and universities show promise in significantly addressing the urgent challenges facing African American college students and graduates,” UNCF president and CEO Michael Lomax said. Announced on Monday in a news release, UNCF’s $35 million Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) aims to create a range of academic programs, student internships, industry partnerships, specialty certifications, and faculty development in an effort to make a smoother transition from college to a career for black college grads.

“CPI will help ensure our graduates are prepared for and are hired into high-paying 21st-century jobs,” Lomax continued. “With strong CPI results, we will be able to make the case to others to invest in a new model — one that enables minority and low-income students by giving them the knowledge and skills to be competitive in the global marketplace.”

In a statement, Morgan State University President David Wilson said that the university is “very pleased to have Morgan included as one of the select universities to participate in the implementation of CPI, further expanding our value proposition as an institution dedicated not only to graduating our students with a high-quality education but also assisting their transition into sustainable careers afterwards.”

He added:

“The resources made available as a result of this grant will provide much-needed support in our ongoing efforts to prepare students to meet the growing needs of employers, particularly in high-demand career areas, while increasing their likelihood of future success beyond degree attainment.”

According to the university, Morgan will work closely with Norfolk State University and Tennessee State University to improve graduates’ career outcomes.

DSU Student Mia Jones Crowned Miss Delaware USA 2017

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A junior at historically black Delaware State University in Dover, Mia E. Jones, daughter of  Erik and Nneka Jones — both DSU alumni from the classes of ’94 and ’96, respectively — was crowned Miss Delaware USA 2017 at the Doubletree Hotel near Wilmington.

Jones won the title as the culmination of the Nov. 26-27 2017 Pageant, according to Delaware State University news release.

Jones also won the 2014 Miss Delaware Teen USA while she was a sophomore at the black university, according to the release.

“I believe everyone is on an even playing field until the judges make their selection,” Jones said. “In the Miss Delaware USA Pageant, they wanted the top grown-up and mature woman.”

Jones has the distinction of winning both the Miss Delaware Teen USA and Miss Delaware USA in her first tries.

Congratulations, Mia!

NCCU Receives $1.1 Million TRIO Grant to Establish Educational Opportunity Center

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DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina Central University (NCCU) received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Federal TRIO Programs office to establish a new Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) within the Division of Student Affairs.

The new center, set to open in spring 2017, will provide counseling and resource information on secondary school reentry, entry to a GED program or entry to alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts. The center will also provide guidance to qualified adults on the college admissions and financial aid processes.

“We are proud to be the recipient of the Federal TRIO grant program for the establishment of the EOC within NCCU’s Division of Student Affairs,” said NCCU Acting Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D. “As we consider the success of our surrounding community as our own, we’re committed to ensuring that all prospective students, regardless of socioeconomic status, have equal access to educational resources.”

The Division will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the new center and overseeing the budget. The five-year grant of $1,179,500 will serve a total of 1,000 participants from Durham, Alamance, Vance, Granville and Person counties — areas identified with significant underrepresented populations.

“This is a great opportunity to be a resource to our community and provide prospective students with the resources they need to be successful in reaching their goals,” said Miron P. Billingsley, vice chancellor for student affairs. “The goal of the EOC program is to increase the number of adult participants who enroll in postsecondary education institutions.”

The program will also provide services to improve the financial and economic literacy of its participants and offer counseling on financial aid options, basic financial planning skills and economic literacy education. Participants will also receive access to academic advising, personal counseling, career workshops, tutoring, mentoring and a host of student support programs and activities that strengthen their experience.

“We believe that everyone should have access to education,” added Billingsley. “This program will be a second chance for many North Carolinians.”

Educational Opportunity Centers — one of eight TRIO programs offered by the federal government — are designed for students who have limited English proficiency, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, and students who are in foster care or are aging out of foster care system, or other disconnected students.

For more information on how to apply, contact the Division of Student Affairs at (919) 530–6342.

Behind The Scene Footage of Grambling State SWAC Championship Win

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Grambling fans stood to their feet as the G-Men played their hearts out and defeated Alcorn State University, in a repeat of last year’s SWAC championship. After quickly shifting momentum at half-time to gain the lead, the Tigers captured the SWAC title 27- 20 against the Braves.

When the clock finished ticking, Grambling’s head coach Broderick Fobbs cried tears of joy, realizing that all the hard work his team and Grambling had done, had finally paid off.

“Well, what a difference a year makes,” Fobbs told The News Star. “We’ve been in tough spots before, but we never stop believing.”

READ FULL via E’Vonne Gipson @ The Black Beat

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Caught the Grambling State University Cheerleaders outside NRG Stadium and they have a little message for Alcorn!

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Gotta love live fan interaction: This Alcorn Dad says the Braves are bringing home the trophy!

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Outside the NRG Stadium with a few Alcorn fans. Let’s see what they have to say!

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SWAC Championship GSU v Alcorn

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SWAC 2016 Halftime Show

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SWAC Championship: Last 7 minutes!

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We’re BACK: 3:05 4TH QUARTER 27-20 Grambling

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GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY are your 2016 SWAC CHAMPIONS

 https://www.facebook.com/hbcubuzz/videos/1363748600302844/
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CAU Student Shot And Killed Outside Condo In Sandy Springs

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According to police, Cierra Ford’s shooting death in an apparent robbery outside a Sandy Springs condo is currently under investigation. On Friday, Ford was with her boyfriend when she was shot along the 100 block of North River Drive:

Boyfriend Tyrique Lobban, 21, was taken to the North Fulton Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and is listed in critical, but stable condition. Robbery is thought to be a motive in the shooting.

Ford, 25, was a student at Clark Atlanta University majoring in communications at the black university. Ford’s family told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she wanted to cover things relevant to the Black community, and in particular gun violence. 

“She cared about the community,” brother Clarence Ford said. “She cared about the issues that plague out community such as gun violence, incarceration.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective W. Johnson at 770-551-3314. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS or crimestoppersatlanta.org.

Read more here.

TSU Names Kenneth “Ken” Huewitt As New Chief Financial Officer

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Texas Southern University is pleased to announce that Kenneth “Ken” Huewitt has been named the new Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at TSU.

Huewitt, who will begin employment with TSU in the Spring of 2017, is a veteran financial professional with more than 25 years of experience in audit and finance. He is a Certified Public Accountant who has managed over a one billion dollar budget and the construction and servicing of several educational facilities.

“It is exciting for the University to bring on Huewitt’s level of expertise, said TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane. “This move signals how committed we are to excellence on all levels at Texas Southern University, and to becoming a first choice destination institution for college-bound students. Huewitt’s broad experience in finance and educational enterprises will be a tremendous asset to us as we continue our work to refine TSU’s business model.”

Huewitt began his career as an auditor with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General.  He has held a variety of roles during his career including Senior Audit Specialist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Senior Associate for Coopers & Lybrand, and Regional Director of Finance for The ServiceMaster Corporation.

Shortly after leaving ServiceMaster, he joined the Finance Team at the Houston Independent School District.  Over his first 11 years with the district, Huewitt served as the Controller focusing on Budgets, Payroll, Treasury, Food Services Accounting, General Accounting and Bond Fund Accounting, as well as, handling the day-to-day operations of the Controller’s Office.

The next three years, he served as Chief Financial Officer leading all the financial services functions of the district.  He developed and executed strategic plans and district-wide policies and programs related to financial activities.  Huewitt directed the offices of the Controller, Property Tax and Real Estate, Budget and Financial Planning, Medicaid Finance, Benefits, Risk Management, Warehousing and Procurement.  His duties also ranged from developing sound accounting policies and procedures for effectively administering the various funds and accounts to overseeing the strategic operations and accounting for the District’s $1.8 billion general operating budget. Huewitt has led the financial operations of the District over the last 15 years, while impacting 215,000 students on 283 campuses.

Huewitt was recognized as the 2015 award winner of the Council of the Great Cities Schools Chief Financial Officer of the Year.  This honor is recognized annually on the national level through the Bill Wise Awards Program.  It is bestowed upon Chief Financial Officers in urban school districts who exemplify professionalism, commitment, integrity, strong leadership and advocacy for all students.

Huewitt holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Texas State University.  He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Government Financial Manager, Certified Financial Services Auditor and Chartered Global Management Accountant.  He is a member of several organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, and The Institute of Internal Auditors.   He recently served as Chairman of the Texas State Development Foundation Board, member of the T–Association Board, and past-president of the Alumni Association Board.

This story was written by Texas Southern University. This story is published here with permission.

Golden Rams Lose SIAC Opener To LeMoyne-Owen

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ALBANY, Ga.- The Albany State men’s basketball team was unable open the SIAC schedule with a victory. After a thrilling game that was provided by both teams, ASU dropped a 78-71 decision to the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians.

With the loss, the Golden Rams improve to 2-4 overall and 0-1 in league play. LOC improves to 1-7, 1-0.

The two teams provided the crowd in attendance with some timely shooting and athletic plays in the first half. The score was tied four times, and there were five lead changes during the first 20 minutes.

With the home team trailing 36-31, JaDon Davis made two free throws with 23 seconds left to cut Albany State’s deficit to 36-33. However, LOC’s Dareyon Terrell hit a shot at the buzzer to give the visitors a 38-33 edge at intermission.

In the second half, Albany State led 43-42 at the 17:12 mark before the Magicians went on a 17-6 run to take 59-49 advantage with 11:47 left in the contest. LOC would hold a double digit lead until ASU went on a run of its own.

Trailing 66-55, the Golden Rams went on 15-4 spurt to tie the game at 70 when Devontay Ward hit a free throw with 2:35 left to play. However, ASU could not find much offense down the stretch, and LeMoyne-Owen pulled away for a final time.

Brandon Hudson recorded 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks to lead Albany State. Ward tallied 15 points and eight rebounds, and Michael Green had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Davis finished with 12 points.

The Golden Rams shot 25-of-65 (38.5%) from the field, 10-of-31 (32.3%) from three-point range and 11-of-19 (57.9%) from the free throw line.

LOC was led by Daron Maston, who scored a game-high 29 points. Rashawn Brown netted 18 points, and Justin Street added 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Magicians shot 26-of-65 (40%) from the field, 7-of-22 (31.8%) from three-point range and 19-of-25 (76%) from the free throw line.

Albany State will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 3 when it travels to Milledgeville, Ga. to face Georgia College. The Bobcats won the Nov. 22 meeting 63-49 in Albany. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

This story was written by Albany State University Athletics. This story is published here with permission.

Lady Rams Get First Win After Defeating LeMoyne-Owen

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ALBANY, Ga.- Sophomore Ashley Johnson scored a game-high 13 points, including three three-pointers, to lead the Albany State women’s basketball team to a 65-50 win over the LeMoyne-Owen Lady Magicians. The victory is the first of the season for the Lady Rams, who are now 1-5 overall.

The contest with LeMoyne-Owen was also ASU’s SIAC opener. LOC falls to 0-9, 1-0.

In securing their initial win of the season, Albany State started the game in dominating fashion. The Lady Rams raced to a 17-10 first period lead, and were able to keep the pace in the second when they outscored LOC 18-14. ASU built a 35-24 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter, the home team used its defensive pressure to ignite an offense that generated a 17-point, 51-34, edge with 27 seconds left in the third stanza.

Zuri Frost and Kayla Green each scored 12 points for Albany State. Elesha Foster and Uche Ibebunjo each netted nine points. Ubebunjo led the team in rebounding with nine, and Frost had five assists. Raven Wynn tallied eight points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The Lady Rams shot 27-of-69 (39.1%) from the field, 9-of-19 (47.4%) from three-point range and 2-of-7 (28.6%) from the free throw line.

LeMoyne-Owen was led by Courtney Banks, who recorded 10 points and seven rebounds. The Lady Magicians shot 19-of-64 (29.7%) from the field, 2-of-12 (16.7%) from three-point range and 10-of-19 (52.6%) from the free throw line.

Albany State will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 3 when it travels to Milledgeville, Ga. to face Georgia College. The Lady Bobcats won the Nov. 22 meeting 45-44 in Albany. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

This story was written by Albany State University Athletics. This story is published here with permission.

An Inside Look At Why Enrollment At HBCUs Across The Country Is On The Rise

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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I went to college in Ohio and spent the best four plus years of my life at historically black Central State University in Wilberforce. CSU is Ohio’s only public historically black college or university (HBCU). College is the best four years of your life, they say.

So because of my love for my HBCU, I was thrilled to discover the fact that enrollment at many HBCUs across the country is, in fact, on the rise.

In late July, I wrote this story about how North Carolina HBCUs are enjoying an ongoing surge in donations, thanks, in part, to the Black Lives Matter movement because it seems to me and hundreds and thousands of others that HBCUs matter. It’s exciting to hear about HBCUs trying to find new ways to engage with alumni, fans, and supporters.

Two HBCUs in the Houston area also are seeing an uptick in enrollment, according to reports.

TSU and PVAMU have seen a jump in enrollment

Here’s more from ABC 13:

When it comes to choosing a college, there are a lot of options students must weigh. Those include the price of tuition, class size and student life. But now a number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (or HBCUs) are seeing an uptick in enrollment, including two here in the Houston area: Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M.

HBCUs were established in the early 1800’s and since then enrollment at these schools has gone up and down over the years. But now, instead of accepting admission to predominately white schools, more black students are opting for schools where the majority of students look like them.

Texas Southern University is one of the 100 HBCUs throughout the country. It’s one of a growing group that has recently seen a jump in enrollment because of students like Anthony Collier.

“UH, Sam Houston State University, University of North Texas and a couple of other schools. But eventually I narrowed it down to TSU and Prairie View, and I chose TSU,” Collier said.

Prairie View A&M is in the same boat thanks to students like freshman Castity Fields.

“I was accepted to UT-Austin, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Hofstra University in New York,” Fields said.

Both turned down the offers from larger, predominately white universities (PWIs) for historically black schools.

“Being surrounded by so much black ingenuity, intellect, intelligence, and excellence,” Collier added. “It defies the stereotypes and it shows the truth, the essence of black Americans.”

Head over to ABC 13 to read more.

Here’s Howard Student Nick Cannon Views On Planned Parenthood

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Nick Cannon, one of the most consistent celebrities at the fore of the Movement for Black Lives, appears not to be so progressive on abortion, giving several recent interviews in which he likens the procedure to “real genocide,” parroting similar comments made by Ben Carson on the campaign trail last year.

Specifically, Cannon, 36, called out Planned Parenthood during an interview he did with The Breakfast Club last week. He then doubled down on his comments Friday when he said that the women’s health organization practiced “modern-day eugenics” and “population control.”

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“Think about all the stuff [Hillary and Bill Clinton] did with Planned Parenthood and all that type of stuff. That type of stuff is to take our community—and forget gentrification; it’s real genocide, and it’s been like that for years,” he said to Charlamagne tha God and his co-hosts.

“This system is not built for us. This is not our land. I appreciate it. I love it, wouldn’t want to live nowhere else. But this wasn’t designed for our people.”

The host of America’s Got Talent, Wild N Out and Caught on Camera as well as chair of Teen Nick, confirmed that he also has his own bambino on the way during the show.

“God said be fruitful and multiply. I’m doing the Lord’s work out there,” he said.

Cannon is no longer with pregnant girlfriend Brittany Bell, a former Miss Arizona winner. He is already father to 5-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey.

This article was originally published via The Root

Dorothy Height To Be Honored In 2017 With U.S. Postage Stamp

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Dorothy Height StampDorothy Height spent her life fighting for racial and gender equality. But when you think of the work of leaders such as Shirley Chisholm, Amelia Boynton Robinson and Anna Julia Cooper, Height is also another trailblazer who doesn’t get enough recognition. Thankfully, the US Postal Service is taking notice.

The 40th stamp in the Black Heritage series will honor the women’s rights icon in 2017.

“Although she rarely gained the recognition granted her male contemporaries, she became one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century,” the organization said.

The stamp features artist Thomas Blackshear II’s gouache and acrylics on board portrait of Height. The painting is based on a 2009 photograph shot by Lateef Mangum, and art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

READ FULL

 

 

Morgan State President: Bigotry, Hatred, Won’t Make America Great

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An open letter to Donald Trump, which was signed by 110 college presidents, urges the president-elect to condemn the acts of bias, intimidation, and hate that occurred immediately after the election

More on HBCUBuzz.com: HBCU, PWI Presidents Write Open Letter To Trump Urging Him To Condemn Hate Crimes

Last week, I spoke with David Wilson, president of Morgan State University—the alma mater of Black EnterpriseFounder, Chairman, and Publisher Earl G. Graves—about Wilson’s decision to add his signature to the letter. He replied by way of email.
Black Enterprise: Why did you sign this open letter to Donald Trump?

Wilson: Given the tenor of the campaign, I was pained to witness the low level of political discourse, and that reality made me fear for the future awaiting our students and young people generally. When the opportunity was presented to join a chorus of higher education voices in a unified call for civility from our president-elect, I did not decide to participate without due consideration. It was with our students in mind that I elected to stand in solidarity with the other presidents.

BE: One of Trump’s campaign themes was safety, yet after Trump won the election, incidents of harassment went up, suggesting that under his watch (some) Americans may be less safe. What is your perspective?

Wilson: There is ample reason to be concerned. Since the election, there has been uneasiness across the nation. We’ve experienced this feeling on our campus from the student body. There was an immediate need to reassure them that Morgan is a “safe intellectual space,” and that they matter. That is why I felt compelled to support this open letter.

BE: According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, since the election, the number of anti-black incidents of harassment or intimidation rank second to anti-immigrant incidents, which is number one As the president of a historically black university, what is your comment about this?

Wilson: As one of the seven presidents leading a historically black college or university to be included among the 110 leaders supporting this letter, I felt it was necessary to speak out against the divisive voices, threats, and vile actions that historically have sought to undermine the country from embracing unity, decency, inclusion, and competitiveness. Our participation in supporting this letter is as much an affirmation of [Morgan’s] values and to protect those values, as it is a call for the president-elect to disavow the ugliness that is occurring.

BE: What should Trump do to foster a climate that respects our country’s democratic values?

Wilson: In the end, it all comes down to leadership and setting an example. One way to begin the process is by letting citizens know what this nation is not about, and what it will not stand for—and that is bigotry, hatred, sexism, racism, and xenophobia. These are not the things that make America great.

To see all the signatories and to read the letter, visit this website.

This article was written by Robin White-Goode, the Editor of Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.

The 5 Biggest Misconceptions About HBCUs

Posted by Tommy G. Meade Jr.
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Many think that historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) promote racism or believe that these institutions aren’t diverse — both are entirely false and stupid misconceptions about HBCUs. Those with a little to no information about HBCUs often have misconceptions about black colleges, usually resulting from stereotypes.

Unfortunately, many people fall prey to some of these urban myths.

Here’s more from The Huffington Post:

The argument that we no longer need historically black colleges and universities is beyond tired and played out.

For decades, those with little-to-no knowledge about these institutions have received misinformation thanks to stereotypes. Most recently, for instance, Wendy Williams got schooled by Roland Martin (and apologized) for calling HBCUs offensive to white students.

It’s been said that colleges like Hampton University, Spelman College and North Carolina A&T promote racism (no), provide an inadequate education (still no), aren’t diverse (nope) and other fallacies for years.

The only way to correct misinformation is with receipts. With the help of Howard University professor and historian Edna Medford, we’re here to clear up some of the most egregious misconceptions. Grab a pen and take notes because class is in session. 

1. HBCUs are racist.

To call the existence of HBCUs racist is to ignore the foundation on which they were built. Black people have long faced barriers to acquiring an education. Medford explained that HBCUs were therefore built to combat racist laws that disenfranchised black students.

“I think what we need to remember is that HBCUs were there for people of color when we were not wanted in predominantly white institutions. When we were denied access to those institutions, HBCUs were here for use,” Medford told The Huffington Post. “So education means so much to us and higher education becomes significant because we understand that we’re not going to be able to enter the mainstream society unless we can compete on that level.”

Medford also pointed out that just because these schools are predominantly black doesn’t mean they promote segregation. These institutions have never in their nearly 180 years of existence said that only black people are allowed to attend black colleges, she said.

In fact, HBCU students have worked tirelessly to end segregation and racism. For instance, Thurgood Marshall studied under Charles Hamilton Houston at Howard School of Law. He later became a Supreme Court Justice and faved the way for the landmark ruling of “separate but equal” in the 1954 case, Brown v. Board of Education.

2. HBCUs offer an inadequate education.

The abundance of black excellence at HBCUs isn’t by coincidence. For the first time in many of these students’ lives, they see a reflection of themselves in textbooks that goes beyond just civil rights. To mistake a curriculum that focuses on black history and culture as inadequate is a notion rooted in white supremacy.

“It doesn’t mean that we ignore the larger education, it’s just that we make a point of incorporating ourselves as well,” Medford said. “So we’re no longer at the periphery. And I think that is so important to training young minds because if we don’t know who we are, how are we going to go out into the world and really make a difference. I think HBCUs do that better than any other place.”

Head over to The Huffington Post to read more.