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Dressed in colorful graduation regalia of cap and gown, a line of black and brown-skinned men and women are seen looking toward the left. They beam with pride, many are smiling.

HBCUs at a Crossroads

The nation’s 101 HBCUs were established at a time when the vast majority of colleges refused to admit Black students. With the ban on race-conscious admissions and the attack on diversity efforts, where do they go now?

Recent Stories

Elnathan Hall on Knoxville College's campus after a fire was set to the building on Nov. 4.
Still Holding On
A Black College Lost Its Accreditation Almost 30 Years Ago. Why Won’t Its Leaders Pull the Plug?
By Jasper Smith December 2, 2024
A collage of recent headlines describing the success of HBCUs
#Headlinesmatter
For Decades, Black Colleges Have Been Portrayed as Deficient. What Changed?
By Oyin Adedoyin November 15, 2022
Formerly incarcerated Howard University Researcher galvanizes support for internship program to bring graduate education to the recently released.
Reclaiming R1
Howard U. Expects to Be Classified as R1, Making It the Only HBCU With Such Status
By Jasper Smith October 28, 2024
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A Lengthy Process
Black Colleges Are Owed $12 Billion, the Feds Say. Their States Aren’t So Sure.
By Jasper Smith July 17, 2024

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Other Stories

Bluefield State University dorm construction site on campus in Bluefield, W.Va., on April 4, 2023. (Chris Jackson for The Chronicle)
Campus Housing
A Majority-White HBCU Tries to Reconcile With Its Racist Past, and Stumbles
By Eric Kelderman July 25, 2023
The explosion of a bomb at West Virginia’s Bluefield State in 1968 resulted in the closing of a dorm and the mass exodus of Black students.
The entrance of Saint Augustine's University.
Leadership & Governance
In One Week, Saint Augustine’s U. Lost an Accreditation Fight, Fired Its President, and Saw a Faculty Revolt
By J. Brian Charles December 8, 2023
Financial woes have imperiled the small historically Black institution in North Carolina. Officials are appealing the accreditor’s decision.
Photo illustration of one hand passing a wooden mannequin baton to another hand. The words community college are printed on the mannequin's shirt
Student Success
Transfer-Student Enrollment Tanked During the Pandemic. Historically Black Colleges Were the Exception.
By Katherine Mangan September 13, 2022
HBCUs saw their incoming transfer numbers rise last year, especially among men.
Tennessee State Representative Harold Love, Jr. outside of Tennessee State University’s Floyd-Payne Campus Center.
Funding Inequity
A Long-Neglected HBCU May Finally Get Its Money
By Katherine Mangan February 1, 2022
The governor has asked for $250 million to go toward repairing crumbling infrastructure at Tennessee State University.
In a sunny outdoor setting, two black students are seen wearing graduation regalia, stoles and face masks.
Philanthropy
‘Little Things Like This’: What MacKenzie Scott’s Millions Have Meant to HBCUs
By Oyin Adedoyin January 28, 2022
Colleges have been able to make big changes with the billionaire’s money — including through scholarships, employee benefits, and broader programming.
harris-black-colleges-promo.jpg
The Review
What White Colleges Owe Black Colleges
By Adam Harris August 30, 2021
Private money alone won’t save HBCUs. What about money from primarily white institutions?