Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are receiving unprecedented attention these days, particularly from private philanthropy. In some ways it’s almost as if they didn’t exist until George Floyd was murdered in broad daylight. For those who have observed and are the beneficiaries of these vaunted schools, we know better, of course. Rare is the Black man or woman who doesn’t personally know of a Black person murdered under similar circumstances yet was never prosecuted.
We also know that this attention on HBCUs will not last forever. It therefore behooves the chief executives and governing boards of these iconic institutions to seize the moment and follow the wisdom of the old spiritual “Do Not Pass Me By.” 
Dr. Alvin J. Schexnider
While HBCUs may be a new discovery for some, most African Americans know that HBCUs have been around for more than a century and a half. Their contributions to society and the economy are well-documented and immeasurable. The simple truth is that HBCUs almost single-handedly created the Black middle class. The recent UNCF report provides demonstrable proof of the role HBCUs play in fostering social mobility among their graduates.
We sense new-found expressions of pride among HBCU alumni. Recently, two public intellectuals, Dr. Jelani Cobb and Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr., appeared on Lawrence O’Donnell’s MSNBC night program. Glaude, Jr., chairman of Princeton University’s African American Studies program, identified himself as an alumnus of Morehouse College. Cobb, professor of journalism at Columbia University, quickly informed the audience that he is an alumnus of Howard University.
It’s likely that some of these self-disclosures are the result of the election of Vice President Kamala Harris, a proud alumna of Howard University. HBCU alums have always exhibited pride, however, its renewal and enthusiasm is palpable and welcomed since their moral, financial, and political support are essential to the sustainability of these schools.
