Related Article: These city leaders want to expand HBCUs beyond the South. Here's why they say it's critical as DEI is under attack | CNN - us.cnn.com - Sunday, August 17, 2025, 6:29:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Target: City governments of Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, state education departments, the U.S. Department of Education, and HBCU leadership.
Goal: We call on city leaders, state governments, and educational authorities to actively support the establishment of HBCU satellite campuses in major cities outside the South, ensuring equitable access to culturally affirming higher education for Black studen
For generations, HBCUs have provided Black students with supportive environments, high graduation rates, and pathways to leadership in business, government, and the sciences. Yet, the overwhelming majority of HBCUs are located in the South, forcing students from other regions to travel far from home and take on additional financial burdens.
As DEI programs are threatened at predominantly white institutions, the need for accessible HBCU education is greater than ever. Expanding HBCU campuses to cities like Boston, San Francisco, and San Diego will not only support Black students, but also enrich local economies and diversify workforces in tech, healthcare, education, and beyond.
We urge city and state officials, as well as HBCU leaders, to prioritize the establishment of satellite campuses, create transfer pathways for local students, and ensure that these campuses are resourced to provide the same quality of education and community as their main campuses.
Now is the time to invest in equitable access to higher education and to honor the legacy and future of HBCUs across the nation.