How The Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling May Affect HBCUs

HBCUs may see an increase in enrollment as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action.

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On Thursday, June 29, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, making it unlawful for colleges to take race into consideration as a specific factor in admissions.

According to various news outlets, the ruling will impact admissions policies that have historically benefited Black and Latino students applying to predominantly white, highly selective institutions. However, Historically Black Colleges and Institutions will also be affected by the Supreme Court’s decision. 

HBCUs are expected to see an increase in enrollment as a result of the ruling. Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick said that this may bring challenges to the universities. 

“Historically Black colleges and universities are carrying an outsized burden to diversify so many industries in America. We represent only 3% of the higher [education] institutions, but we are responsible for 25% of the bachelor’s degrees,”  Frederick said in an interview with CNN. “By not allowing race to be considered in admissions elsewhere, you can put an even more outsized burden on historically Black colleges and universities who don’t have the capacity to carry that type of a burden.”

Eddy Carder, an assistant professor of constitutional law and philosophy at Prairie View A&M echoed Frederick’s sentiments in an interview with Axios, saying  “Increased enrollment can become a practical issue because enrollment means more resources, buildings, space, and technology.” 

Other HBCU leaders have spoken out, welcoming new prospective students in response to the end of affirmative action. 

“We more than want to welcome those students here and it is our hope that maybe they broaden their perspective in terms of where they might be searching,” Dr. Ricardo Phipps, Provost and vice president of academic affairs at St. Augustine’s University, told Spectrum News.

“More students of color, who might have chosen to apply to a predominantly white institution, will now apply to and attend an HBCU instead. HBCUs — and an ever-broadening array of HBCUs — will draw a greater number of talented students of color,” Delaware State University President Tony Allen said in a statement. “We will welcome them as we have always done. And we will need stalwart partners to help us in our work.”

As the Supreme Court ruling may cause an uptick in enrollment at HBCUs, the underfunding of HBCUs must be addressed.

A recent study found that HBCUs get 178 times less funding than Ivy League schools.

“Despite the achievements of HBCUs, philanthropy funds these higher education institutions at significantly lower rates than comparable PWIs,” wrote Susan Taylor Batten, the study’s author and President & CEO of ABFE, which promotes philanthropy in Black communities. “This leaves HBCUs with less than adequate funding to support their operations, educational programs, infrastructure, and endowments.”

Additionally, compared to their predominantly white counterparts, the nation’s Black land-grant universities have been underfunded by at least $12.8 billion over the last three decades,  according to Forbes. 

Last year, students at Florida A&M University sued the state of Florida and the board of governors, claiming decades of discriminatory underfunding of the school and that the state prioritizes funding for predominantly white institutions like Florida State University over HBCUs like FAMU. 

Tennessee State University To Become First HBCU With a Hockey Team

Tennessee State University has partnered with the NHL, the National Hockey League Players Association, and the Nashville Predators to become the first HBCU to introduce an ice hockey program.

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On Wednesday, Tennessee State University (TSU) announced that it will become the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to introduce an ice hockey program.

TSU has partnered with the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Hockey League Players Association, and the Nashville Predators to create the new program and will hold a joint news conference at Bridgestone Arena ahead of the NHL draft on Wednesday.

The university has been exploring the idea of implementing a hockey program since May 2021, when it took part in a feasibility study administered by College Hockey Inc., an entity that works to grow the collegiate game. The study was offered to see if TSU is in a position to add a hockey team.

“The idea of establishing a collegiate hockey program at TSU is a tremendous opportunity as the nation’s first HBCU to take on this endeavor,” TSU President Glenda Glover said in 2021. “This allows us to expand the sport, increase diversity, and introduce a new fan base.” 

According to ESPN, the men’s team will start play as a club program in 2024 and while no timeline was given, TSU said its goal is to eventually field both a Division I men’s and women’s team.

“Bringing ice hockey to Tennessee State University is a part of our continued commitment to provide our students with new opportunities and to broaden new interests in areas where they have traditionally had limited or no access,” Glover said in a statement. “We appreciate our ongoing partnership with the Nashville Predators which has played a pivotal role in our decision to pursue this historic undertaking of starting an ice hockey program at TSU, and the first for a HBCU.”

TSU’s hockey program addition follows the recent trend of HBCUs adding new, non-traditional sports programs to their athletic department. This can be seen in Fisk University and Talladega College being the only HBCUs to offer women’s gymnastics and Morgan State University’s plans to become the only HBCU offering Division I men’s wrestling this upcoming school year.

Angela Bassett to Receive Honorary Oscar

Honorary Howard grad Angela Bassett will receive an honorary Academy Award at the Governor’s Awards.

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Honorary Howard University grad and two-time nominee Angela Bassett will finally take home an Oscar at the 2023 Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced Monday.

The Honorary Award is “to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy.”

Bassett received her first Oscar nomination for best actress for her remarkable performance as Tina Turner in 1993’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” At this year’s ceremony, she made history as the first actor from a Marvel Studios film and the first woman from a superhero movie, to receive acting recognition when she was nominated for best supporting actress for her powerful performance as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

“Across her decades-long career, Angela Bassett has continued to deliver transcendent performances that set new standards in acting,” said Academy President Janet Yang in Monday’s news release.

Filmmaker Mel Brooks and editor Carol Littleton will also receive honorary Oscars at this year’s Governors Awards. Sundance Institute exec Michelle Statter is set to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

The 2023 Governors Awards will be held in Los Angeles on November 18.

The Queer Experience at HBCUs

This Pride Month, HBCU Buzz is shining a light on the queer experience at HBCUs.

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Since its creation, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have provided a safe space for Black students to learn, excel and be free to be themselves.  

In a world that often rejects those deemed “other,” at an HCBU, minorities are finally given the chance to be the majority—but what about those of double minority, identifying as both a racial and sexual minority? Considering HBCUs’ roots and founding in the Black church and the prevalent homophobia within the Black community, students belonging to the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, and more) community may not experience the same support as their cishet peers. 

LGBTQIA+ students at many HBCUs have created a safe space within a safe space, with the establishment of queer-friendly and allyship organizations on campus. For instance, Hampton University’s M.O.S.A.I.C (Motivating Open-Minded Social Acceptance and Inspiring Change)  was founded in 2016 to be a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and allies to come together and promote acceptance, tolerance, and awareness of sexual orientation and gender identity. Group member, Katelynn Flowers, a junior entrepreneur major says progress has been made, but there’s still a ways to go. 

“My experience at Hampton being pansexual has been pretty good so far,” Flowers said. “I don’t feel as though I’m left out or discriminated against, however, we definitely have a long way to go when it comes to getting everyone, including administration on board with new societal norms. We have a very traditional approach to life at Hampton and it’s time to change that.”

Morehouse College alum, Jauan Durbin, who served as the first openly queer Mr. HBCU, said most queer students at HBCUs don’t get to publicly live in their truth while serving in high leadership roles.

When talking about his experience as the first openly queer Mr. HBCU at Morehouse, he recalled a lack of acknowledgment of his history-making feat by colleagues and administrators. “It was disheartening because HBCU kings are uplifted by our HBCUs as the male representation of the institution, [and it] often celebrates hyper-masculinity,” he remarked. 

“[College] was the first time that I was actually able to express myself in terms of how I dressed, appeared, and showed up in the world,” Durbin continued. “I started dabbling in makeup. I never had a battle with my gender expression or identity getting in the way until that moment. “We have to understand people come into our HBCUs with 18 years of life experience. We have to create an environment where we are not allowing harmful ideology to penetrate our walls. Getting people from a place of tolerance to acceptance means creating safe spaces on our campus.” 

Mark Davis Jr., a Tennessee State University (TSU) alum and the 31st Mister TSU had a more welcoming experience as a queer HBCU king, detailing his experience as a queer person at an HBCU as a “great” one. 

Showing up unapologetically as himself, Davis centered his Mister TSU platform around pride with the goal of creating space for everyone, especially those of the LGBTQIA+ community. Along with TSU’s Mister Sophomore at the time, Davis & hosted the first Pride N Sip,  an event where participants were invited to come and paint what pride looks like to them. “Immediately we got an overwhelming amount of support from students, alumni, the HBCU world, and the administration. At the close of my reign, It meant a lot knowing that this was one of my highlights as King, being that voice to make sure the LGBTQIA + was heard. I always felt accepted and welcome because I surrounded myself around people who accepted me for who I was.” 

“I ALWAYS TOLD MYSELF I WOULD NEVER JOIN SOMETHING OR ATTACH MYSELF TO ANYTHING WHERE I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR BEING 100% ME. YOU WILL TAKE ALL OF ME FOR WHO I AM OR YOU WILL GET NONE OF ME AT ALL.” 

– Tennessee State University alum and the 31st Mister TSU, Mark Davis Jr. on his reign as a queer Mr. HBCU. 

Throughout history, queer people have fought for equality, visibility, and social acceptance in society, and some HBCUs have made strides to become more supportive and accepting of the community. 

Howard University is the only HBCU to offer gender-inclusive housing, according to CampusPride. In 2017, Spelman College adopted a policy that allows transgender students to enroll in the all women’s university.  Two years later, its brother school, Morehouse College followed suit,  voting to adopt the same policy and admit transgender men into the university. 

This is a progressive step for Morehouse as it wasn’t that long ago that a junior was beaten with a baseball bat by another student, in what was seen as an anti-gay attack in 2002, and the dress code previously banned students from wearing women’s clothing. 

Additionally, according to TVOne, Morehouse students can now participate in the annual Festival of Eccentrics, “a queer-centric dance show hosted by Atlanta HBCUs.” The school also recently hosted its first-ever ball, celebrating “Queer Black Excellence.” 

In another first, Last October, Hampton University football player Byron Perkins made history by becoming the first football player at an HBCU to come out as gay.

He made the announcement in a social media post that went viral and expressed that he wanted to be an inspiration for other Black gay men to feel comfortable sharing their truth. 

Perkins recently shared with ESPN SportsCenter that his relationship with his teammates remains strong and focused on their shared goal of competing at a high level in the Colonial Athletic Association.

“These are the guys I go to war with, and for them to say, ‘We’ve known him since day one, we know his character and his work ethic,’ that in itself has been one of the most precious things in the world to me,” he said, adding that building chemistry with the Pirates has been key.

Although there have been some improvements when it comes to inclusion and support for queer students at HBCUs, there is still much more progress that needs to be made according to students. 

Flowers suggests that HBCUs incorporate more gender-neutral settings, like “gender fluid dorms, bathrooms, and activities.” 

Davis says that HBCU institutions need to take into account how they are showing up for LGBTQIA+ students. He said the leaders of the institutions need to ask themselves questions like, “How is the living situations for them in residence halls? do they feel like they have resources on campus regarding transitioning, health services, and safe places?” —“There should be training or initiatives to integrate LGBTQIA + students within the culture of our institutions,” Davis concluded. 

The Relevance of Hip-Hop at HBCUs

In light of Black Music Month and this year marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we are taking a look at the genres’ longstanding relevance at HBCUs. 

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June is Black Music Month!

Declared in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, June is Black Music Month. This month celebrates and recognizes the influence that Black music has had on the U.S. and on the world. 

Black people have had a role in spearheading the creation of nearly every major music genre in America. One of the leading genres that have made a major impact on society and have helped shape HBCU culture is hip hop.

Hip-hop has its origins in the Bronx Borough of New York City during the early 1970s. Intersecting communities of Black, Latinx, and  Caribbean Americans would come together at block parties that featured DJs playing soul and funk music. New York City DJs and Hip Hop pioneers like DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa began to experiment with different techniques during block parties, including longer percussive breaks (called “breakbeats” or simply “the breaks”), turntable techniques, scratching, freestyle, and improvised vocals based on Jamaican “toasting.” 

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we are taking a look at the genre’s longstanding relevance at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). 

Hip-hop has been the soundtrack to HBCU campuses throughout every era. From the conscious rap craze to the blog era to the rise of trap music, hip-hop continues to be a staple in the community.

Anyone that has attended an HBCU during the 2010s knows the thrill of ‘swag surfin’ or the right of passage to sing Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill or Faneto by Chief Keef at the top of your lungs at a party or an event. This music brings people together, strengthening the HBCU community and creating long-lasting memories with friends. 

As much as the HBCU community loves hip-hop, the hip-hop community has shown love back.

Throughout the years, artists have performed at homecomings and events and have referenced black colleges in songs, and featured them in music videos.

In 1995,  The Notorious B.I.G. put on a performance at Howard University’s Yardfest alongside Diddy and Foxy Brown—largely regarded as one of the most memorable moments in Howard homecoming history. 

Additionally, Atlanta rappers natives have given some love to the AUCC (Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College) All three schools have been referenced by artists like Ludacris, Gucci Mane, and Trinidad James. Self-proclaimed “King of the South” T.I. even taught “Business of Trap Music,” at Clark in 2020. 

Fellow Atlanta native rapper and Alabama State University alum, 2 Chainz dedicated his 2020 hit “Money Maker” to HBCUs and shot the music video on the campus of Fort Valley State University. Fort Valley’s Blue Machine Marching Band is also featured in the music video as well as band footage of several other schools including Southern University’s Human Jukebox. HBCU dance teams like Alabama State’s Honeybeez and the Stingettes, as well as Southern University’s Dancing Dolls also got some screen time. 

Rapper E-40 also paid homage to his alma mater Grambling State University in the music video for his single “Bands” back in March. In the video, the rapper is accompanied by The Grambling State University ‘World Famed’ Tiger Marching Band and is shown rapping the lively song across various hot spots on Grambling’s campus.

During homecoming this past year, chart-topping, hip-hop, heavyweight, Drake made a surprise performance at Spelhouse, joining Atlanta rapper 21 Savage on stage.

From performing at HBCUs to featuring and referencing them in songs, to giving back to these institutions, it’s clear that hip-hop artists and hip-hop culture have always been ingrained in HBCU culture. 

Four HBCU Players Headed to the XFL Following the XFL Rookie Draft

HBCU football players, Robert Mitchell, from North Carolina Central University, Keyron Kinsler Jr., from Alcorn State University, Kemari Averett, from Bethune-Cookman University, and Justin Ragin, from Jackson State University are set to play in the XFL.

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HBCU football players, Robert Mitchell, an offensive lineman from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Keyron Kinsler Jr., a defensive back from Alcorn State University, Kemari Averett, a tight end from Bethune-Cookman University, and Justin Ragin, a defensive lineman from Jackson State University are set to play in the XFL, following Friday’s rookie draft.

On Friday, Mitchell and Kinsler were selected in the XFL Rookie Draft. The Vegas Vipors chose Mitchell, and the Orlando Guardians selected Kinsler for the upcoming season.

Averett and Ragin were acquired as undrafted free agents by the St. Louis Battlehawks on Wednesday, per HBCU Sports.

Mitchell’s remarkable performance at NCCU earned him the title of 2022 MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year.

During his redshirt senior season, he started all 12 games on the offensive line, achieved a team-high grade of 90.2%, and allowed just 8 pressures with 69 pancake blocks in 731 plays.

While Mitchell was playing for the Eagles, they held the fifth-highest-scoring offense in the nation, averaging an impressive 38.6 points per game. NCCU also led the NCAA Division I-FCS in third-down conversions at 55.8%, and ruled the MEAC in total offense (445.3 yards per game), rushing offense (210.6 yards per game), and passing offense (234.8 yards per game).

In 2022, Mitchell helped NCCU secure the MEAC championship and the HBCU national championship with their win against Jackson State in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The Eagles ended the season with an impressive 10-2 record, earning them a No. 17 ranking in the FCS Coaches Poll and the HBCU national championship title.

Kinsler excelled as a defensive back at Alcorn State, wrapping up 53 tackles, ranking fifth on the team, along with 4.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

A highlight of Kinsler’s performance with the Braves was against Savannah State when he registered a career-high 10 tackles.

Kinsler was also a standout player in high school, where he started on the varsity team beginning his sophomore year. As a senior, he was recognized as First-Team All-County and as a junior, he was recognized as Second-Team All-County. During his senior year, Kinsler recorded 115 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles, awarding him Honorable Mention All-State honors.

Averett led the Wildcats in receiving in each of his two seasons with the team, compiling 91 receptions for 1,333 yards and 17 touchdowns.

He was named to the All-SWAC First Team in 2021 and 2022.

At Jackson State, Ragin totaled 94 tackles, 39.5 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three pass breakups, and two blocked kicks in 34 career games.

Ragin was named to the All-SWAC Second Team this past season.

This story was updated on Thursday, June 23, 2023, to clarify which players were selected in the XFL Rookie Draft and which players signed on as XFL undrafted agents.

6 Influential LGBTQIA+ HBCU Alums

This Pride Month, we are celebrating the LGTBQIA+ community and those that are products of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Here are 6 Influential LGTBQIA+ HBCU Alums!

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June is Pride Month, an annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQIA+ community to history, society, and cultures worldwide. This Pride Month, we are celebrating the LGBTQIA + community and those that are products of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Here are 6 Influential LGBTQIA+ HBCU Alums!

Wanda Sykes – Hampton University 

Iconic comedian, actress, producer, and Emmy Award-winning writer, Wanda Sykes graduated from Hampton University in 1986, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She has ranked among Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America” and her peers have called her “one of the funniest stand-up comics” in the field. In 2008, Wanda married her wife Alex Sykes, and publicly came out as a lesbian a few weeks after their wedding at an equality rally in Las Vegas. Since then, Sykes has used her platform to champion LGBTQIA+ voices and equality through years of activism. 

Hope Giselle – Alabama State University 

Hope Giselle is an Alabama State University alum and a national organizer, author, artist, and activist.  Giselle graduated with a Master’s in Fine Arts as the first openly trans woman to do so at the institution and hit the ground running with her modern social take on trans and black bodies in public spaces. She is the proud author of two books “Becoming Hope: Removing the Disguise” and “Until I Met Black Men” as well as the founder of the non-profit organization AllowMe, which supports LGBTQIA+ youth of color in their journey to becoming productive leaders, artists, and activists.

Misster Ray – Virginia State University 

Ray Cunnigham, better known as “Misster Ray” is a two-time Virginia State University graduate, television personality, award-winning producer/multimedia expert, and best-selling author. He first gained recognition in 2006 as the first openly gay cast member on BET’s “College Hill.” Since then, he has made appearances on “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood,” released his first memoir, “Mess With a Message” in 2021,  and launched the HBCU board game Yardopoly last year. 

Tre’vell Anderson –  Morehouse College

Tre’vell Anderson is an award-winning journalist, social curator critic, editor, and podcaster. They obtained their Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Morehouse College in 2013 and got their Master’s in communication from Standford University in 2014. Named to The Root’s 2020 list of the 100 most influential African Americans, they have dedicated their career to centering those in the margins, grey spaces, and at the intersections of life. Tre’vell co-hosts two podcasts, Crooked Media’s “What A Day” and Maximum Fun’s “FANTI.” Founder and Chief Imagination Officer of Slayzhon, Inc., they are also the authoress of “We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film” and “Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One Of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’” Tre’vell is also the immediate past president of the National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles, co-chair of NABJ’s LGBTQ Task Force, and the organization’s Region IV Director.

Camerron Dangerfield – Alabama A&M University

After attending Alabama A&M University on a full academic scholarship, Chef Camerron Dangerfield is now an award-winning private chef, cookbook author, TV personality, and restaurateur. He went from selling soul food plates to Alabama A&M students and faculty to cooking at four or five different nightclubs around Huntsville, and private dinners in people’s homes. Dangerfield is a two-time Food Network champion (“Chopped” & “Cut Throat Kitchen”) and has his own show called “Cooking with Cam Live” on the Food & Lifestyle Network. He is also the chef at DINE VIBE Dining Experience, an Immersive Vibe Dining Experience curated by internationally acclaimed Celebrity Event Designer Courtney Ajinça. 

George M. Johnson – Virginia Union University & Bowie State University

George M. Johnson is an award-winning non-binary writer, author, and executive producer, and proud HBCU alum. They are two-time HBCU alum, having graduated from Virginia Union University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and Bowie State University in 2012 with a master’s in human resources development. They are the author of the New York Times bestselling author of the memoir “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” which discusses their adolescence growing up as a young Black queer boy in New Jersey through a series of powerful essays. The book was optioned for television by Gabrielle Union. In 2021, Johnson released their second memoir “WE ARE NOT BROKEN,” which received the Carter G. Woodson Award which recognizes books that “accurately and sensitively depict the experience of one or more historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the United States.” They were also listed on The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2020, The Out 100 Most Influential LGBTQ People in 2021, and in 2022, were honored as one of the TIME100 Next Most Influential People in the World.

Here is Why You Should See “The Blackening” This Weekend

Lionsgate’s new horror-comedy “The Blackening” is an instant classic and a must see in theaters! Catch it this weekend as it premieres on June 16.

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The New Horror-Comedy, “The Blackening” is a Must See!

“The Blackening” is a horror-comedy directed by Tim Story, begging the question, “If the entire cast of a horror movie is Black who dies first?”

The film turns the stereotypical horror trope of the Black character dying first on its head by featuring an all-Black cast fighting to survive in this soon-to-be classic.

The smart, suspenseful, satirical film unfolds as nine friends from college reunite for Juneteenth weekend at a cabin in the woods. This movie succeeds in what the typical horror movie fails to do by giving Black characters depth and relatability, which ultimately drives the film. 

Dewayne (Dewayne Perkins, also a co-writer and producer of the film), proves to be much more than a stereotypical gay best friend to loveable Lisa (Antoinette Robertson) — who is secretly back with her ex Nnamdi (Sinqua Walls). This causes tension between Lisa and Dewayne, as he has had to pick up the pieces after Nnamdi left her brokenhearted in the past. 

Allison (Grace Byers) is the biracial Hotep-esque friend with (white) daddy issues; King (Melvin Gregg) is the reformed thug with a new direction in life, Shanika (X Mayo) is the fabulous bold friend who brings the comedy, and Clifton (Jermaine Fowler) stands out as the nerdy outsider — who voted for Trump twice. 

After arriving at the cabin and playing a game of Spades, the group finds their way to the basement game room. There, they see a trivia board game titled The Blackening with a disturbing plastic Sambo as its centerpiece. Suddenly an old black-and-white TV turns on and a sinister figure with a blackface caricature mask appears, alerting them that their other friend Morgan (Yvonne Orji) – who arrived a day early, is being held hostage and they must play the game in order to save her.  

The group goes rounds playing essentially a high stakes Black trivia, but when a trick question causes them to lose, the masked killer demands that they sacrifice the “blackest” person in order to spare the rest. 

The concept is based on a 2018 sketch from Perkin’s comedy sketch group 3Peat, in which he also wrote and starred. Together, Perkins and co-writer Tracy Oliver (“Girls Trip”) seamlessly brought the sketch to the big screen without sacrificing the comedic and unapologetically Black elements that make this film work. 

“The Blackening” serves as a commentary on what does it truly mean to be Black? Refreshingly, it does this without falling into worn-out stereotypes, but still incorporating and celebrating shared Black experiences. We see this in the scenes where the group plays Spades, dialogue on overly sweet Kool-Aid, or when Lisa and Allison can tell what each other is thinking just by a look.  

Anyone that has screamed, “Don’t go in there!” while watching a horror movie, will enjoy this film and the hilariously self-aware characters. At one point in the movie, we watch Dewayne simply close a door that was mysteriously swung open, a movie moment much to the audience’s satisfaction. 

Although inspired by “Scary Movie,” “The Blackening” is far from a parody film — yet while a social commentary, it  doesn’t take itself as seriously as the likes of “Get Out.” It is the perfect balance of genuine horror, hilarity, and satire, that will leave you laughing and screaming till the end. 

 “The Blackening” hits theaters on June 16. 

The Blackening HBCU Tour Provided Thrills And Chills For Moviegoers 

This summer, HBCU Buzz partnered with with Lionsgate and MRC to present The Blackening HBCU Tour allowing students and alum of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to see the hilariously scary new movie “The Blackening” early. 

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This summer, HBCU Buzz, Lionsgate, and MRC partnered to present The Blackening HBCU Tour, allowing students and alum of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to see the hilariously scary new movie “The Blackening” early. 

“The Blackening” centers around a group of Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. When they discover one of their friends is kidnapped by the killer they are forced to play a game where they must sacrifice the “blackest” person in order to save them and get out alive.

According to the official synopsis for the film, “The Blackening” skewers genre tropes and poses the sardonic question: if the entire cast of a horror movie is Black, who dies first?”

From left: X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, and Melvin Gregg at Regal Atlantic Station for the Atlanta stop of The Blackening HBCU Tour.

The film stars Dewayne Perkins (“The Upshaws,” “Saved by the Bell”), Grace Byers (“Harlem,” Empire”), Antionette Robertson (“Dear White People”, “The Haves and Have Nots”) Jermaine Fowler (“Coming 2 America,” “Judas and the Black Messiah”), Melvin Gregg (“Snowfall” “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”), Jay Pharoah (“SNL”., “Resort to Love”), Yvonne Orji (“Insecure.” “Vacation Friends”), X Mayo (“Swarm,” “American Auto”), and Sinqua Walls (“Power,” “American Soul”). 

The Blackening HBCU Tour visited five cities, bringing out students and alum from the neighboring HBCUs.

The tour kicked off in Florida on April 28, at Challenger Learning Center IMAX Theatre. Birmingham, Alabama was the second stop, taking place on May 30  at Sidewalk Film Studio. The tour was brought to Colonial Heights, Virginia on June 5 at South Park Mall Cinema 16. Bowie, Maryland’s screening was on June 6 at Regal Waugh Chapel Movie Theater, and the last screening was in Atlanta, GA on June 8 at Regal Atlantic Station. 

In addition to a pre-screening of the highly anticipated film, movie-goers were treated to a Q&A session with cast members and the co-writer of the film, Tracy Oliver at select stops. The tour also included a night vision crew capturing the audience’s reaction to the film, free merch including T-shirts, bottle caps, and posters, as well as picture opportunities with the cast. 

At the Florida stop, the Florida A&M University community packed out the theater and engaged in a Q&A session with the film’s co-writer Tracy Oliver after the screening. The reigning King of Orange and Green, YuKwon Toney served as the influencer/host for the event. 

At the Alabama stop, movie-goers came out to the theater donning HBCU apparel representing colleges such as Miles College, Alabama A&M University, Jackson State University, and Tennessee State University. Co-writer and star of the film Dewayne Perkins made an appearance at the screening, partaking in a Q&A and taking pictures with the movie-goers. 

More cast members came out to the next stops as Jay Pharoah, Melvin Gregg, and Antionette Robertson made an appearance at the Maryland screening, and X Mayo and Perkins joined the latter at the Atlanta screening. 

Perkins, who co-wrote, produced, and starred in “The Blackening,” said the film displays the multiplicity of black people—“black people are not a monolith, our unity is what helps us persevere,” he said. When asked about what he hopes people will take away from the film, he said “the symbolism that together black people can do anything, mainly stay alive and that’s how we have been. It’s a comment on the past, the present, and the future — that black people, we are not a monolith.” 

The movie was well received by the audience as they laughed and screamed throughout the entire screening. One moviegoer, Tennessee State University student Christian Johnson said the movie was funny and relatable to many black experiences. “It was a beautiful commentary on what it is to be black and what it is to be black in black spaces,” she said. “it was the first time I felt like the jokes weren’t about me, but for me,” she added. 

“The Blackening” is based on a 2018 short film of the same name by the comedy sketch group 3Peat, also starring and written by Perkins.

During the Alabama screening Q&A, he shared details on the seven-year journey of how “The Blackening” went from a sketch to a full-length feature film. He said that he wrote the sketch in 2016, then it was filmed in 2017 and released the following year in 2018. That same year Perkins got a call from Tracy Oliver, the writer of the 2017 box-office hit “Girls Trip,” which changed everything. “Tracy called me in 2018, we sold it to MRC, who’s the studio. October 2018 we wrote the script, it got greenlit, and we filmed it in 2021. It premiered at TIFF, which is the Toronto International Film Festival in September of last year, then it comes out on June 16, 2023” Perkins said.

The journey of how “The Blackening” came to be is a testament to how success takes time and hard work and dedication pays off. When it comes to advice for aspiring writers and creatives, Perkins told the crowd, “do the thing that you want to do and don’t wait.”

X-Mayo also offered words of encouragement for the audience at the Atlanta stop of the tour, stressing the importance of collaboration and community. “Get with your community,” she said. “Whoever sets your soul on fire, whoever encourages you, when you tell them an idea, they’re excited about it—keep talking to them and keep people around you that encourage you because nobody can be self-made, it’s impossible, we’re all community made artists.”

Melvin Gregg echoed Mayo’s sentiments, speaking specifically to content creators, encouraging them to stay true to who they are instead of chasing trends. 

“The Blackening” comes to theaters this Juneteenth weekend on June 16th. 

“I just hope people show up and have a good time and understand that seeing an entire all-black cast of leads shouldn’t be an anomaly, it should continue to happen.” Antionette Robertson said. “We need to see each other, we need to support each other, that’s the only way that we’re gonna make our mark and continue to show the world different hues of blackness.”

Morgan State University Marching Band To Become the First HBCU To Perform at D-Day Memorial Parade in France

Morgan State University’s marching band, the Magnificent Marching Machine is set to become the first HBCU to participate in the international D-Day Normandy Parade in Normandy next June.

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Morgan State University‘s marching band, the Magnificent Marching Machine is set to become the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to participate in the international D-Day Normandy Parade in Normandy, France, on June 6, 2024.

 The band received the exclusive invitation to participate from the Music Celebrations International.

“The opportunity to have our students not only represent our university but also our nation on such a grand world stage in recognition of such a monumental occasion is truly an honor,” Morgan President David Wilson said in a news release.

The band will perform “America the Beautiful” and “Tribute to (Fallen) Americans,” and will place a wreath at the Normandy American Cemetery.

“When we think of the historic events that have shaped the 20th century and the decades thereafter, the courageous moments that took place on the beaches of Normandy, France nearly 80 years ago, are among them. The opportunity to have our students not only represent our University but also our nation on such a grand world stage in recognition of such a monumental occasion is truly an honor,” said Wilson.

The Magnificent Marching Machine plans to fundraise to cover associated costs for the trip.

“It is truly a tremendous honor and opportunity for our student musicians to travel abroad and give a performance of such historical significance,” said Tara Turner, interim vice president for institutional advancement at Morgan. “However, this honor comes at a substantial investment and the entire Morgan Community — far and wide — will need to be tapped to help raise the resources needed to underwrite travel and accommodations for our beloved band. We are looking to our alumni, donors, [and] the business community for their support, and hope that our community can make this experiential performance abroad happen for the students.”

14-Year-Old Boy Gets Full Ride to HBCU After Walking Six Miles to 8th-Grade Graduation

Harris-Stowe State University has granted Missouri teen Xavier Jones a full-ride scholarship after hearing his story of walking six miles from his house to his eighth-grade graduation ceremony last month.

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Harris-Stowe State University has granted Missouri teen Xavier Jones a full-ride scholarship after hearing his story of walking six miles from his house to his eighth-grade graduation ceremony last month.

Jones, a student at Yeatman Middle School was determined to walk across the stage at the ceremony being held at Harris-Stowe State University.

When he was left without a ride after his grandfather’s car broke down at the last minute, he decided to make the six-mile journey with his brother and a friend accompanying him.

Xavier Jones, 14, (right) takes a photo with Harris Stowe State University president Latonia Collins Smith (left) after walking six miles to attend his eighth-grade graduation ceremony. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/KMOV St. Louis)

“I looked up Harris-Stowe University on Google Maps, and then I saw the walking distance, and then I said, ‘I could probably make it,’” Xavier said.

Jones arrived just in time for the ceremony and was able to walk across the stage.

Once administrators at Harris-Stowe State University got word of Jones’s story, they offered him a full-ride scholarship to the university after he finishes high school in four years.

“Many of our students come with a story, and many of our students come with environmental barriers they have overcome or that they are currently overcoming,” said Dr. Latonia Collins Smith, president of Harris-Stowe.

The full-ride scholarship will cover Xavier’s cost of tuition, fees, and all books someday.

“I just led with my heart, and I followed my heart, and my heart said, ‘This is a kid that needs a scholarship,’” Collins Smith added.

According to WBTV, Jones received a personal tour of the university’s campus on Wednesday. He said that his goal is to be a NASCAR driver after graduating from college.

6 HBCUs Offering Summer Programs

Several HBCUs offer engaging and educational summer programs for high school and college students alike. Check out a few of the programs different HBCUs offer!

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Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are known for their excellence in education and that doesn’t stop just because it’s the summertime. No matter what time of year it is, there is always something to do on an HBCU campus. Several HBCUs offer engaging and educational summer programs for high school and college students alike. Check out a few of the programs different HBCUs offer below and don’t miss the biggest event coming to HBCUs this summer, The Blackening HBCU Tour!

Morehouse College

Morehouse College offers a variety of programs for elementary, middle, and high school students as well as pre-college and college programs. Through The Morehouse College Summer Academy, students are able to advance their studies and interests in subject areas in the humanities, sciences, arts, and technology fields. High school juniors and seniors can experience on-campus living and learning as they attend intellectually rigorous, college-style classes and gain skills and confidence as they prepare for their higher education. Each program offers a wide range of subjects that will engage and expand student interests, as well as deepen their knowledge and understanding of college life. In addition to the daily mini-core classes, students will participate in workshop sessions on topics such as SAT preparation, financial aid options, leadership, and career choices.

To learn more about the programs offered at the Morehouse College Summer Academy, click here. 

Spelman College

Through its summer programs, Spelman College is helping high school students and incoming first-year college students get a jump start on their college careers and ensuring that they are properly prepared for a bright future. High school students will have an opportunity to spend several weeks on campus engaged in exciting, rigorous academic offerings. Each of the College’s programs: the Art History and Curatorial Studies Program, Early College, Pre-Health Summer Programs, and the College Preparatory Institute, are taught by accomplished faculty members and professional facilitators. Program participants will have an immersive residential experience, gain a sense of independence, and create lasting relationships with peers from across the United States. The all-girls HBCU is also offering a summer program for incoming first-year college students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines with the Women in STEM (WiSTEM) Summer Bridge Accelerator.

Click here to learn more about these programs at Spelman College. 

Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View A&M University offers several Summer Bridge Programs for incoming freshmen students as well as a variety of summer camps and programs for youth ages 17 and younger. The PVAMU Summer Bridge Programs are completely free or have a minimal cost to student participants.  All programs have their own admission and acceptance requirements. The university offers multi-major, major-specific, and global study abroad summer programs for incoming students. The school’s Youth and Teen and Teen Summer Camps include a variety of STEM camps, college and career camps, sports camps, and PK-8th grade Camps.

To learn more about PVAMU’s summer programs, visit the official website.  

Hampton University

Hampton University is offering over 21 special programs during the summer. These programs provide valuable enrichment and academic opportunities for participants from elementary to college age. This includes a Pre-College/ Summer Bridge Program for pre-freshmen and rising high school seniors, a Computer Science Pre-College program for incoming freshmen, and the Hampton University Marine and Environmental Science Summer Bridge Program for high school students.

For more information about all the programs Hampton is offering this summer, visit here. 

Fisk University

Fisk University is offering a variety of summer programs this year. These programs include The Pre-College Program, designed to bridge the gap in skills and knowledge between high school and college, the Talented Tenth Leadership Development, a program to create hope and opportunities for young men of color, develop leadership skills and roles across multiple industries and sectors, and many more.

To see the full list of summer programs offered at Fisk, click here. 

North Carolina A&T University

North Carolina A&T University offers a range of summer programs for students of all ages.  Undergraduate or graduate students can take classes during the summer to advance their studies, either in-person or online. Summer Sessions are also open to visiting and non-degree-seeking students, including students from other schools who are home for the summer and want to take classes at N.C. A&T. Elementary school students and high school can attend the university’s Summer Camps, which offer the chance to explore future careers, discover hidden talents, and excel in academics. Summer Sessions feature several convenient sessions of varying lengths: two five-week sessions; a two-week pre-session and intersession; and one 10-week dual session. Degree-seeking N.C. A&T students may enroll in a maximum of 14 credits during the summer.

For more information, visit the official website. 

Let’s Talk About Navigating the Workforce During a Recession

As graduation season ends and more and more students cross that stage, the threat of a recession looms over new graduates as they venture out into the “real world.” Let’s talk about implications of a possible recession and how recent graduates can navigate an economic downturn.

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As graduation season comes to an end and more and more students cross that stage, the threat of a recession looms over new graduates as they venture out into the “real world.” 

A recession is a significant, pervasive, and persistent decline in economic activity. According to economics experts, a U.S. recession is coming in the second half of 2023. 

Contributing factors to the impending recession include inflation, high-interest rates, and tightening credit. 

According to CNN,  last year inflation hit a 40-year peak, gas prices were elevated, consumer sentiment plunged and markets fell by 20%. Although the US was able to avoid a recession, the Federal Reserve has raised rates higher and more quickly than they have in decades. 

Additionally, the US is experiencing a banking crisis that could make borrowing harder, which can curb spending and weigh on economic activity. According to a recent Fed survey, lenders are stiffening their standards following the banking collapses.

“The bottom line for markets is that with inflation still at 5%, well above the [Fed’s] 2% inflation target, and the Fed not cutting rates anytime soon, credit conditions will continue to tighten and, as a result, a recession is coming that could be deeper or longer than the consensus currently expects,” said Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo Global Management. 

However, 2023 won’t see a thunderous crash like the 2008 recession, according to Moody’s and Goldman Sachs. Instead, they anticipate a “slowcession,”  a sluggish economy that doesn’t quite tip over into a downturn or recession.

Nevertheless, if there is a recession, unemployment will certainly rise.

Recently mass tech layoffs have made headlines. According to layoffs.fy, in 2023 there have been  201,776 laid-off employees in the tech sector so far, while 740 tech companies have announced layoffs this year. Big tech companies such as Meta, Microsoft, Apple, LinkedIn, and Amazon have all recently majorly downsized their workforces. 

Other industries face layoff risks as well. A new “job loss risk index” from The Conference Board, a think tank and business membership organization, says that the three sectors facing the highest layoff risks in the coming months include: information services, transportation and warehousing, and construction

To determine their findings, the board considered the six following factors: its exposure to labor shortages; sensitivity to monetary policy; job function and education levels required; the state of its pandemic recovery; longer-term trends in labor demand; and the age composition and experience levels of its workforce.

As for the industries with the lowest risk of layoffs, this includes the federal government, private educational services, healthcare and social assistance, accommodation and food services, state and local government, retail trade, arts, entertainment, and recreation services. 

According to Fortune.com, although the job market may seem strong overall, layoffs tend to begin early in the recession phase of the business cycle, and then accelerate significantly as companies realize they must cut expenses to deal with the new economic reality of tight money and slowing demand.

For new graduates just coming into the workforce, navigating a potential recession may sound scary, but there are steps they can take to prepare. 

Keep Your Job: With a possible recession looming it’s important to stay employed if you can. If the downturn comes early, you could be stuck looking for work in a shrinking job market. Moreover, even after acquiring a new job before the downturn, as the “new guy” at work, you may be the most vulnerable to layoffs. If you do plan on leaving your job, make sure you have a plan — consider taking up a side hustle, start saving your money, and stay on top of your student loans.

Networking: If you’re searching for a job after graduation, then it’s time to seek like-minded professionals and network. Networking can help you advance your career, build confidence, and strengthen business connections. 

Build Your Skills: Whether you have a job or are still looking, it’s a good idea to build your skills to make yourself a more marketable candidate. Review job descriptions for your industry of choice and brush up on the skills that you may be lacking.   

Andy Kalmon, CEO of employee stock purchase plan platform Benny, stresses the importance of paying off student loan debt in preparation for a recession. “To recession-proof your finances, consider paying off expensive debt as quickly as possible,” he said.  “Something that is also incredibly important to consider when heading into a recession is your credit score. An individual’s credit score is more important when entering a recession because a recession puts people in more situations where they must take on credit or debt. One of the key ways of maintaining a good credit score is consistently making payments. Do not stress yourself with paying off the full amount at once, but instead always have the money available to put towards monthly payments.”

Whatever happens with the economy, it’s important to remain proactive and not lose hope. Navigating through uncertain times is always daunting, but remembering these tips and truly believing that your next job is right around the corner can help you on your journey. 

Judge Grants FAMU Students More Time to Plead Their Case Alleging Racial Discrimination in State Funding

On Thursday, students at Florida A&M University seeking to sue the state over alleged underfunding and discriminatory practices met with a federal judge in the case’s first hearing.

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On Thursday, students at Florida A&M University seeking to sue the state over alleged underfunding and discriminatory practices met with a federal judge in the case’s first hearing.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle rejected a motion to dismiss by Attorney General Ashley Moody and gave the six FAMU students 30 days to amend their complaint to provide more data in support of their allegations. 

Represented by Miami civil rights attorney Josh Dubin and the New York firm of Grant & Eisenhofer, the students allege FAMU has been historically underfunded compared to predominantly white institutions. The students are suing the state for $1.3 billion, which is how much they claim FAMU has been underfunded compared to the University of Florida.

The plaintiffs are four undergraduates and two postgraduates who are asking the state of Florida to commit to giving equal support for HBCUs and traditionally white institutions within five years, according to WCTV.com.

“We do deserve to be treated equally as those students that are literally across the tracks from us. It’s not fair that we aren’t able to get the same opportunities. We aren’t allowed to get the same amount of money. We aren’t allowed the same education in the same city as another school that has every opportunity in the world.” said FAMU student and plaintiff Brittney Denton.

In court documents, their attorneys argue a funding disparity prevents the school from offering high-demand programs that would bring in new students and faculty, as well as prevented the university from properly maintaining the campus.  

“The importance of this case not only resides in the disparity of the money, but just in understanding that history is repeating itself and it’s affecting us now,” Nyabi Stevens, plaintiff and FAMU junior psychology major told the Tallahassee Democrat.

 “The only way to change the ways of the past and influence the future is by doing this work. We’re here doing what we need to do as students and as representatives of African Americans across the nation,” Stevens added. 

US companies, nudged by Black employees, have stepped up donations to HBCUs

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have recently seen an uptick in donations particularly from corporations and corporate foundations, in part thanks to the influence of their Black employees Learn more in the story by Annie Ma and Thalia Beaty at Associated Press.

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Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have recently seen an uptick in donations particularly from corporations and corporate foundations, in part thanks to the influence of their Black employees Learn more in the story by Annie Ma and Thalia Beaty at Associated Press.

Participants in the Spelman College 136th Commencement celebrate in College Park, Ga., in May, 2023. Historically Black colleges and universities, which had seen giving from foundations decline in recent decades, have seen an increase in gifts particularly from corporations and corporate foundations over the last several years (Julie Yardbrough, Spelman College via AP)

Natalie Coles will never forget receiving an unexpected phone call in 2020. On the line was Virginia-based Dominion Energy, offering to give money to Wilberforce University, the small historically Black college where she is in charge of fundraising.

The company’s $500,000 donation went in part toward laptops and hot spots for students when the pandemic shut down the college’s campus outside of Dayton, Ohio.

“It was like manna from heaven,” Coles said.

Historically Black colleges and universities, which had seen giving from foundations decline in recent decades, lately are benefiting from an increase in gifts, particularly from corporations and corporate foundations. Some have received a new look from companies amid the reckoning over racial injustice spurred by the killing of George Floyd. But the colleges also have been pitching themselves, emphasizing their ability to deliver returns on the investment in student mobility.

Another factor in the giving by corporations has been the influence of their Black employees.

At the beverage company Diageo North America, the employee resource group for African Americans shaped a program that has provided almost $12 million to HBCUs, said Danielle Robinson, head of community engagement and partnerships for Diageo. The money has gone toward scholarships at 29 schools to lessen the debt burden on Black graduates.

“We talked about a lot of different things, but one of the things that kept coming up was the generational wealth gap,” Robinson said.

The giving to HBCUs is a new trend for corporations, which had largely ignored them before 2020, said Marybeth Gasman, a Rutgers University professor who researches HBCUs. Increasingly, HBCUs have been using the language of business to argue they not only have a high need but also are a good investment, she said.

HBCUs often have smaller endowments and lower levels of public funding than other universities. A report released in May found foundation support of HBCUs declined 30% between 2002 and 2019. Data is incomplete for more recent years, but HBCUs have been reporting a sustained increase lately in donations from corporations as well as philanthropic foundations.

Delaware State University received $20 million from MacKenzie Scott in 2020, part of the $560 million that the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos gave to HBCUs. The money helped DSU rescue a small college in their county that was closing and invest in their facilities.

Foundations have been more receptive when the school reaches out, said Vita Pickrum, the school’s vice president of institutional advancement. She said she would like to see foundations shape giving in partnership with HBCUS. Gifts to HBCUs typically are more restricted than those given to predominantly white schools, she said, which she would like to see change.

“Trust the institutions to be able to address the problem that the foundation is trying to address in the most efficient way that they see fit,” she said.

While giving to HBCUs has increased lately, better-known schools, such as large private and land-grant universities, have been more likely to receive donations compared with small schools, said Michael Lomax, CEO of the United Negro College Fund.

Those small institutions often operate as engines of economic mobility that lift students from poverty to the middle class, Lomax said. Many have near open-enrollment policies, educating nearly any student that wishes to pursue higher education.

While HBCUs have produced celebrated entrepreneurs, scientists and doctors, they have also educated an outsize number of teachers, nurses and other jobs that are essential for society, he said.

“I want to see more of American philanthropy recognizing that those are important,” Lomax said. “That they’re going to help us ensure that those jobs and those positions are filled, because they are the positions which will ensure a healthy Black America, but really, a healthy America.”

At Wilberforce University, the donation from Dominion supports scholarships and a lecture series on racial inequality in addition to the technology investments. It’s a lot to squeeze out of a half-million dollars, which Coles said reflects the way historically Black colleges and universities stretch their money.

“I would really applaud my fellow African Americans for really pushing things within corporate America to make certain that the George Floyd incident was a movement, a long-term movement, not just a one-off,” Coles said.

At Spelman College in Georgia, an increase in donations has allowed the school to expand financial aid and start centers for Black entrepreneurship and the arts. Jessie Brooks, senior vice president for institutional advancement, said the racial justice movement of 2020 offered visibility that allowed HBCUs to make their case to new potential donors.

“If a donor gives you the resources, and you can show impact in terms of how their gift made a difference, they will continue to give,” Brooks said.

Whether corporations will stick with funding HBCUs for the long term is still a question for Shawnta Friday-Stroud, vice president of advancement at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Donations from corporate and philanthropic foundations have almost doubled from last year, when they’d received $2.4 million at this time compared with $5.3 million so far this year.

She’s observed that corporate foundations are making funding commitments over multiple years and have expressed interest in partnering with her institution, rather than just giving money and walking away. They have put the money toward scholarships and professional development training.

“My hope is that that continues, let’s say, over the next three, four or five years,” she said. “And I think that’s what’s going to be the true test.”

HBCUs Targeted By Racist Bomb Threats Awarded Over $1M By The DOE

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has awarded more than $1 million in grants for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that were targeted by racist bomb threats last year.

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The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has awarded more than $1 million in grants for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that were targeted by racist bomb threats last year.

The grants were awarded as part of DOE’s Project SERV (Project School Emergency Response to Violence) initiative that works to help institutions of higher learning affected by violent threats.

The four HBCUs that received the grants are Claflin University  ($440,000); Delaware State University ($217,000); Howard University($203,000); and Texas Southern University ($191,962).

“The bomb threats last year that targeted several Historically Black Colleges and Universities traumatized their campus communities, disrupted learning, and drained resources by prompting costly campus lockdowns, class cancellations, and law enforcement activities,” Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release emailed to NewsOne.

“The Biden-Harris administration will always stand by HBCUs and unequivocally condemn racist efforts to terrorize Black students and educators and deprive them of their right to safe, welcoming, and nurturing environments for teaching and learning. The Project SERV grants announced today will help four HBCUs directly impacted by these bomb threats to better serve students, faculty, and staff by increasing access to mental health and wellness services and improving other vital supports” Cardona continued.

According to the DOE’s website, “Project SERV funds short-term education-related services for local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to help them recover from a violent or traumatic event in which the learning environment has been disrupted.”

Last year, nearly five dozen HBCUs were targeted by bomb threats. Although the threats turned out to be false alarms, the campus was disrupted as classes were canceled and buildings and campuses were evacuated.

In November 2022, the FBI linked the bomb threats to a sole unidentified juvenile who was prosecuted as a minor by state authorities. However, because the suspect is a minor, they were not charged federally because of limitations for juveniles.

According to NewsOne, in addition to using the grants for security, the four HBCUs awarded the Project SERV grants all said they intend to use the funds to bolster wellness and mental health services.