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Forbes
5 days ago
- Politics
- Forbes
HBCUs Are Doing The Work—Without The Wallet
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are producing a disproportionate share of America's Black doctors, judges, and engineers—yet they remain chronically underfunded and politically undervalued. There remain roughly 100 HBCUs across the United States, enrolling only 1.6% of all college students (and only 9% of Black college students) but produce 16% of Black bachelor's degrees. They've long been engines of workforce mobility—graduating 40% of Black engineers, 70% of Black doctors and dentists, and 80% of Black judges. Nearly 70% of low-income students that graduate from HBCUs rise to the middle class or beyond by age 30. That's an extraordinary return on investment—especially considering how little they receive in public and private support. HBCUs were founded out of necessity—as pathways for Black Americans to access higher education at a time when they were systematically excluded from white institutions due to segregation. The Second Morrill Act of 1890 required states to establish land-grant colleges for Black students if they refused them admission elsewhere, leading to the creation of many public HBCUs across the South. Institutions like Delaware State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Jackson State University and many others were born from this mandate, and have since become pillars of educational opportunity and community advancement. HBCUs have educated some of the most influential leaders in American history across every sector. Civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, global media leader Oprah Winfrey, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and literary legend Langston Hughes all graduated from HBCUs. Leadership Brainery founders, Derrick Young Jr and Jonathan Allen, created our organization while they were students at Grambling State University. These collective stories demonstrate what HBCUs have long made possible: producing visionary leaders who drive change and shape culture on a global scale. HBCUs are not just educational institutions—they are economic anchors in their communities. In 2024 alone, they generated $16.5 billion in economic impact and supported over 136,000 jobs nationwide. These outcomes come despite systemic underfunding. As of 2023, 84% of land-grant HBCUs had been underfunded by an estimated $13 billion. These colleges also operate with far smaller endowments and less philanthropic support than their peers, limiting their ability to offer graduate programs, research initiatives, and competitive financial aid. Under the last few Administrations, HBCUs have received billions of dollars in federal support, including critical funding for research and financial aid programs like Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and Federal Work-Study. Because HBCUs enroll a significantly higher proportion of low-income students than non-HBCUs, they rely heavily on these federal resources to ensure access and affordability. While the current Administration has pledged its support for HBCUs—most recently through the April Executive Order—many HBCUs have nonetheless experienced substantial losses in federal agency grant funding and continued budget cuts. Compounding this, the Administration has proposed eliminating SEOG entirely and reducing Work-Study funding in its next fiscal year budget proposal—two programs that are essential for helping low-income students attend and complete college, and whose elimination would disproportionately harm students at HBCUs. Recent legislation signed into law also includes cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, which are likely to trigger reductions in state-level higher education funding as states shift resources to cover those gaps. Since HBCUs already receive less public funding than their non-HBCU counterparts, these additional pressures risk compounding the inequities they face. As of 2023, more than 3.5 million college students relied on Medicaid; cutting this lifeline could mean many HBCU students will lose access to basic healthcare. For students pursuing graduate education, many HBCUs offer advanced degree programs—often at lower tuition rates than their non-HBCU counterparts. However, these institutions have fewer financial aid resources to support graduate students, which means many rely heavily on federal loans to finance their education. The recent passage of the 'Big Beautiful Bill' significantly reduced access to federal Graduate PLUS loans and imposed strict borrowing caps for graduate students. While many HBCU graduate programs remain more affordable than those at peer institutions, the total cost of attendance for certain programs—particularly in professional fields like medicine—still exceeds these new federal loan limits. For example, the estimated cost of attendance for medical school at Howard University, one of the most prominent HBCUs, is approximately $400,000. Under the new loan policy, students in professional programs such as medicine and law are limited to borrowing $200,000 in federal loans. This leaves students responsible for covering the remaining $200,000 either out of pocket or through private loans, which often carry higher interest rates and require strong credit or a co-signer—barriers that disproportionately impact students from low-income backgrounds. While the current Administration signals support for HBCUs, recent federal policy decisions—from grant reductions to loan caps—paint a different picture. In the absence of consistent public investment, it's time for the private sector to step up. Leading companies, including companies like PwC and Booz Allen Hamilton, have already begun building the future workforce by investing in HBCU students. Corporations, foundations, and individuals can also amplify their impact by supporting nonprofits like the Leadership Brainery, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, UNCF, and Xceleader, which provide targeted programs and funds supporting HBCUs and their students. HBCUs have uplifted generations of leaders, professionals, and change agents—often with a fraction of the resources afforded to other institutions. Imagine what they could accomplish with real, sustained support. HBCUs have long been architects of possibility—if corporate America invests not just in their promise, but in their potential, the returns will echo across boardrooms, communities, and generations to come. Help us widen the pipeline. Support Leadership Brainery in creating equitable pathways to graduate education. Donate today! Interested in engaging with us or have an idea for a future topic? Submit this brief form.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Palm Coast man convicted in shooting of 2 Bethune-Cookman University students
A Palm Coast man faces up to life in prison after he was convicted in a shooting that left one Bethune-Cookman University student paralyzed from the waist down and wounded another. A jury convicted William Luther Phillips, 33, of attempted first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder July 10. Phillips, who was also known as "Too Man," was also convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Phillips had been convicted of grand theft of a motor vehicle in Flagler County in 2011. Circuit Judge Kathryn Weston has set sentencing for Aug. 8. The shooting happened early in the morning of March 18, 2023, after a fight at the Dive Bar, 308 Seabreeze Blvd. in Daytona Beach, according to the State Attorney's Office and a charging affidavit. Afterward, a group of four Bethune-Cookman University students returned to campus. Phillips' group also went to the campus. Phillips confronted the students and shot up their car, hitting Mhari Henry Allen, 21, and Aniecia Ayana Blake, 24, with bullets. Blake recovered. And while Allen survived, he was left paralyzed from the waist down, according to the State Attorney's Office. Witnesses identified Phillips as the shooter. "Gun violence robbed one victim of their ability to walk and our other victim mercifully has fully recovered," State Attorney R.J. Larizza stated in a release. "The defendant should spend the rest of his life behind bars." Daytona Beach Police investigated the case which was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kevin Sullivan. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Man convicted in B-CU student shooting faces life in prison
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Florida missing child alert: 5-year-old Marhley Weston last seen in Lake City
The Brief A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for 5-year-old Marhley Weston, last seen Sunday in Lake City wearing a light blue Lilo and Stitch shirt and floral denim jeans. Authorities believe she may be with Eddie Jones and traveling in an orange 2014 Ford Taurus with a Bethune-Cookman University specialty plate. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for 5-year-old Marhley Weston, who was last seen Sunday in the area of the 500 block of Northwest Galloway Place in Lake City, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. What we know Marhley is described as a Black female with black hair and brown eyes. Her height and weight are unknown. Authorities said she was last seen wearing a light blue Lilo and Stitch shirt and blue denim jeans with flowers on them. Investigators believe she may be in the company of Eddie Jones, a Black female standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. They may be traveling in a 2014 orange Ford Taurus with Florida license plate BB4JZ. The vehicle features a Bethune-Cookman University specialty plate. What you can do Anyone with information about Marhley Weston's whereabouts is urged to contact the Lake City Police Department at 386-752-4343 or call 911. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source The information in this article comes from the Lake City Police Department.
