One of the great looming questions facing American higher education in the 21st century is the fate and future of Black colleges and universities. This country’s Black institutions of higher education, in spite of their size and stature, have proved their mettle, yet they face new challenges to survive.

I spent more than two decades in majority research (that is, White) universities and decided to give back by devoting the last ten years of my career to two historically Black institutions. I am a product of Grambling State University and know well the history, organizational culture, threats and opportunities at HBCUs.

Although a handy referent, lumping all Black institutions under a single rubric is misleading. They do not constitute a monolith. Of the 103 institutions, fewer than half are independent or private.

Withal, Black institutions render an invaluable service to this country. Their influence is felt far beyond their numbers. HBCUs constitute only 3 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities but produce 23 percent of African-American college graduates, National Center for Education Statistics data reveals.

Were it not for Black colleges there would be no African-American middle class. Without America’s Black colleges there would be fewer Black Ph.D.s, pharmacists, engineers and generals. Xavier University of Louisiana, for example, sends more graduates to medical school than any other university, Black or White, according to the American Medical Association. Surely, Black institutions add value to American higher education. The question is how can they contribute more?

American colleges and universities are in fierce competition for students, faculty and resources. Several are currently involved in multi-billion dollar campaigns. Typically, the larger, better endowed universities suck up available monies leaving little to be had by colleges of fewer means. This feeds a situation where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.