With the most famous Black American alumni of all times, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most famous American activists and heroes; Kamala Harris, the first female, first black Vice President of the US; Oprah Winfrey, one of the finest hosts of all times; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) has been the source of education to the underprivileged African American since 1837. Let’s read Why historically black colleges are important?
For more than a century, historically black colleges have provided a respite from the injustices that African Americans have suffered. Its superior education at reasonable tuition rates, innovative programs for STEM field students, and friendly campus culture has cemented its place in the USA.
History of HBCU
With 101 HBCUs established across the vast geography of the United States, the history of HBCUs can be traced back to 1856, when Richard Humphreys founded the first HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, intending to provide education to black youths who were subject to rationalism in the United States at the time.
North Carolina, A&T University, Howard University, Spelman College, and other historically black colleges and universities have consistently ranked among the top in the country. Despite accounting for only 6% of all schools and universities in the United States, they produce more than 20% of African American graduates.
Even after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, HBCUs continued to serve as the best educational platforms for Black youth, producing the best Black graduates in science, technology, engineering, medicine, journalism, and other fields.
Importance of HBCUs
Is there still a need for HBCUs for African American students now that the Civil Rights Act has been implemented? YES is the answer. Here are some arguments in favor of the answer.
Lower Tuition Fees:
With approximately 19.5 percent of Black Americans living in poverty and their main issue being the high tuition fees of Big Universities, HBCUs stepped in to help. Tuition fees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities are lower than the national average tuition fee.
HBCUs provide financial aid to their students.
Ease the loan Burdens:
According to reports, the USA’s education loans total about $1.75 trillion in the year 2021.
And African Americans contribute almost 54% of that amount.
80% of the students of HBCUs, mostly Black, apply for student loans, indicating that the institutions are being a safe and encouraging platform for youth who are poor and unprivileged.
Best resources for STEM field students:
With the best resources and environment, HBCUs produce about 25% of the total African American graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medical (STEM).
According to reports, only 9% of the Americans in STEM careers are Black, which increases the need for institutions like HBCUs.
High employment Rates:
Many black Americans were arrested as a result of the 2019 BLAcklivesmatter demonstration, posing yet another barrier to their employment. As a result, the demand for a platform to supply them with work and education is greater than ever.
HBCUs provide the ideal platform for employment due to their affiliation with many large firms such as Google, Apple, and others.
HBCUs implemented a five-year plan of Persistence and Retention Strategies, which further assured the students.
Campus Culture:
HBCUs provide a healthy and racism-free environment to the students, improving their mental health, and boosting their self-confidence and morale.
With a high number of black students on the campus, there are few to no incidents of racism.
Scholarship programs:
The universities provide many Scholarship programs for students who have caliber but no money. Many such scholarships are;
Toyota/UNCF Scholarship
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Scholarship
James M. & Erma T. Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program
George and Pearl Strickland Scholarship
HBCU Connect Minority Student Scholarship
Helping in minimizing the racial wealth gap:
- With a history of slavery and poverty, the racial wealth gap in the USA is something very hard to ignore.
- HBCUs have been a great help in minimizing that gap, by continuously providing education and training to the black youngsters of the country.
Top 10 HBCUs
With 101 HBCUs, almost every one of them holds an important place in Black culture. And among them the top ten are;
- Spelman College, Georgia
- Howard University, Washington DC
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida
- West Virginia State University, West Virginia
- North Carolina, A&T University, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Grambling State University, LA
- Savannah State University, Georgia
- Southern State University and A&M College, California
- Jackson State University, Mississippi
- Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia
Conclusion:
Though the Civil Rights Act eased the situation in the United States a little, racism still has its root in the system, which can only be eradicated with education, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities are providing an inclusive contribution to their education. Hence, the importance of HBCUs can not be ignored at any cost.
FAQs:
- Why were HBCUs established?
Ans. HBCUs were established to provide education and training to the underprivileged African Americans of that time.
- Dr. Martin Luther graduated from which HBCU?
Ans. He graduated from Morehouse College, Atlanta.
- What is the minimum required GPA for HBCUs?
Ans. A Minimum 2.5 GPA is required to get into HBCUs.
