“…HBCUs represent an important component of the higher education system in this nation and are essential to this system because of their innovative strategies for teaching all sorts and conditions of students, and also because of their existence as models of integrated learning environments, especially with reference to the racial and ethical characteristics of teachers.”
–Willie, Reddick, and Brown (2006), p. xiii.
Abstract
In this article we provide a brief history of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as a part of the sociopolitical context framing this special issue. The aim of this issue is to situate HBCUs as centers of leadership, change, and influence as well as repositories of Black education and the Black American experience through their legacy of intellectual, cultural, and communal engagement. We argue that the lived experiences of HBCU graduates provide a deeper understanding of their positionalities in the landscape of U.S. American higher education outcomes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
We would like to formally thank Kathleen Edwards for her feedback on this article and her final review of all the articles included in this special issue.
References
Brown, M. C, II., Donahoo, S., & Bertrand, R. D. (2001). The Black college and the quest for educational opportunity. Urban Education, 36(5), 553–571.
Brown, M. C, II., Ricard, R. B., & Donahoo, S. (2004). The changing role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Vistas on dual missions, desegregation, and diversity. In M. C. Brown & K. Freeman (Eds.), Black colleges: New perspectives on policy and practice (pp. 3–28). Westport, CT: Praeger.
Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. (2001). Critical race theory: An introduction. New York: New York University Press.
Gasman, M. (2008). Minority-serving institutions: An historical backdrop. In M. Gasman, B. Baez, & C. S. Turner (Eds.), Understanding minority-serving institutions (pp. 18–27). Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
Gasman, M. (2010). Comprehensive funding approaches for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Paper presented at the HBCU symposium: Setting the agenda for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC.
Higher Education Act. (1965). Pub. L. No. 89-329. 20 U.S.C. 1061.
Howard, T. C., & Flennaugh, T. (2011). Research concerns, cautions and considerations on Black males in a ‘post‐racial’ society. Race Ethnicity and Education, 14(1), 105–120.
Minor, J. T. (2008). Contemporary HBCUs: Considering institutional capacity and state priorities. A research report. Michigan State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Administration. East Lansing, MI.
United Negro College Fund. (2011) (n.d.). Our member colleges: About HBCUs. Retrieved from http://www.uncf.org/members/aboutHBCU.asp.
Willie, C. V., Reddick, R. J., & Brown, R. (2006). The Black college mystique. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bettez, S.C., Suggs, V.L. Centering the Educational and Social Significance of HBCUs: A Focus on the Educational Journeys and Thoughts of African American Scholars. Urban Rev 44, 303–310 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-012-0201-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-012-0201-x