Historically Black Colleges and Universities have existed in the United States since 1837. Decades before the abolishment of slavery, these institutions promoted access to education, as a path toward freedom. Today, there are over 100 HBCUs across the country, graduating roughly 20% of Black students. So, what exactly are the institutions and why are they so important?
This hour, we鈥檒l hear from a student and a professor at an HBCU in Texas who are drawing on their institution鈥檚 long history to protect voting rights. We鈥檒l also learn more about the history of HBCUs 鈥� how they disrupted the notions of leadership and excellence to elevate Black communities.
GUESTS:
Maia Young 鈥� 2020 graduate of Prairie View A&M University
Dr. Melanye Price 鈥� Endowed political science professor at Prairie View A&M University, author of The Race Whisperer: Barack Obama and the Political Uses of Race, and , a January article for Elle Magazine
Dr. Jelani M. Favors 鈥� Associate professor of history at Clayton State University and author of Shelter in a Time of Storm: How Black Colleges Fostered Generations of Leadership and Activism
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Want to learn more about New Haven鈥檚 1831 failed black college proposal? Click to listen to 鈥淎 People鈥檚 History of Dixwell鈥� walking tour, voiced by Metropolitan Business Academy students in New Haven.
Special thanks to Dameon Dillard, a 2020 graduate of Metropolitan High School in New Haven.
