My HBCU. Your Voice. Our Future.

The visionary founders of HBCUs sought to provide access to higher education at a time when access was not available to everyone. This academic year, 2017-18, nine HBCUs are celebrating 150 years. These institutions were founded during a period where access to education was restricted or limited to white males only. HBCUs, despite their humble beginnings, have survived and continue to be leaders in producing STEM graduates. According to statistics from the Department of Education, HBCUs have awarded 27% of STEM degrees to black students.

There is a belief that HBCUs are outdated, irrelevant, and inept. The truth is HBCUs are none of these things. How do I know? I know because I am my HBCU and I am current, relevant, skilled and qualified. I am one of the 72% that received undergraduate degree and doctorate in STEM from an HBCU (1). HBCUs are top in the nation in producing STEM graduates who go on to earn doctorates in STEM. HBCUs are relevant because they produce STEM graduates. Period.

So, why are HBCUs being challenged? Are we (HBCUs) being challenged because many of us are silent? We praise and uplift our institutions among ourselves, but we don’t share that praise with others. We must claim the narrative and lead with our story.

Now is the time for leadership. For those of us that have faith in our HBCUs, believe in the mission, and know that our institutions have purpose and power, we must use our voices. We must tell our story. I stand with Dr. Dianne Suber, President Emerita of Saint Augustine’s University, and others who are telling their HBCU story. We must talk it forward; speak HBCUs into the next century/generation. We must claim the narrative.

I challenge everyone that has an investment in an HBCU – current students, alumni, faculty, parents, supporters, community leaders – to use your voice. We must share our stories of how HBCUs impact diverse students, transform STEM curricula, contribute to the STEM workforce, and impact local and global economies. Broadening participation depends on our being at its forefront.

 Dr. Erin White is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University and Meharry Medical College. She is currently an Associate Professor and Director of the Honors Program and Undergraduate Research at Fayetteville State University. She is also a 2017 Center for the Advancement of STEM Leadership Fellow.

(1) Upton, Rachel and Tanenbaum, Courtney. “The Role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities as Pathway Providers: Institutional Pathways to the STEM PhD Among Black Students.” STEM at American Institutes for Research, 2014, pp. 1-12.