摘要：Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois held different visions for Black Higher Education. Should college prepare“Talented Tenth”leaders to advocatefor fullBlack equality or teach vocationalskills for separateeconomic development? HistoricallyBlack Collegesand Universities (HBCUs) play significant roles inAmerican cultureand society. HBCUsexert outsized influence producing notable Black scholars, political leaders, professionals,and mediastars. However, Anti- Black Racismand White Supremacistattitudes minimize or dismiss theseimportant contributions. Wecritically examine HBCUs in the US highereducation landscapefrom1976 to 2015 to overviewBlack collegestudent attendanceand graduation patterns. In 2018, HBCUs (3 percent ofUS universities)awarded 13 percent ofBAdegrees, 6 percent ofMAsand 11 percent of doctoratesearned byAfricanAmericans. The percent oftotal degrees HBCUsawarded Black students declined from1977: 35 percent BAs, 21 percent MAsand 11 percent Doctorates. Emerging fromthefiery furnace ofAmerican Slavery, JimCrowRacismand Racial Oppression, HBCUs provided highereducation opportunities to lift the Black community and advance American society. HBCUsarea national treasurethatmust be preserved and strengthened by dismantling systemicinequities in attitudes, funding, resources,and legislation.
