Addressing underfunding at HBCUs will ensure educational equity and enhance social progress

(Duvalier Malone Enterprises) – Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been at the heart of higher education in the United States. This resulted from their origins after the slavery period and subsequent segregation era, which negatively affected Black people. Nonetheless, HBCUs have had a long period of underinvestment, despite their extensive legacy and importance to society. The recent revelation that Black land-grant universities have been shortchanged by an astonishing $13 billion over the past three decades and the controversy surrounding Tennessee State University, with a $2.1 billion funding gap by the state, starkly illuminate the urgent need to finally address this systemic injustice. Addressing underfunding at HBCUs will ensure educational equity and enhance social progress. Related Stories HBCUs serve as critical learning centers for African American students and other marginalized populations. When these institutions lack enough resources, they are unable to provide the same quality of academic programs, support services and facilities as those of their White counterparts. Let us consider outdated laboratories that hinder studies in the sciences; insufficient student counseling that reduces mental health help among learners; and aging dorms that create an unfit living atmosphere. This maintains the vicious circle of systemic disadvantage that restricts access to...