• Share stories about institutional issues within the context of national higher education discussions. This is essential. It’s also important not to approach it as sharing your dirty laundry but as putting your position and issues on the national stage. Leverage the Obama administration’s endorsement of HBCUs. The national platform is powerful for optimizing the institutional impact of HBCUs on the national economy, education reform efforts and the workforce development initiatives in the country.
I realize that all of this requires hard work and immediate action from HBCUs. It also calls for reaching out to those who, in the past, may have been biased or may not have been kind (or accurate) about reporting on HBCUs. HBCUs are in a perfect position to begin telling their stories about their value and impact.
My hope is that the whole nation becomes inspired and encouraged by the legacy and contribution of HBCUs in the changing American economic, education and workforce landscape.
— Tia T. Gordon is the founder and CEO of TTG+Partners, a communications firm that has worked with several organizations focused on diversity issues in higher education. For more information, visit TTG+Partners’ web-site at www.ttgpartners.com/.
