White House Conference on Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A New Approach

This year’s White House conference on Historically Black Colleges and Universities begins today, September 13, 2010 in Washington D.C. The theme is “Moving Toward HBCU Cathedrals” and the emphasis is on moving forward and thriving. 

I’ve been attending the conference for many years. It typically showcases government agencies but has rarely tackled the challenges faced by HBCUs head-on. This year’s conference, under the leadership of John S. Wilson, is quite different. The program is aggressive and Wilson is urging Black college leaders to talk openly and frankly about issues such as building capacity in the sciences and other STEM fields, increasing retention and graduation rates, building fundraising strength and infrastructure (in the interest of full disclosure, I’m giving that talk with my colleague Nelson Bowman, Director of Development at Prairie View A&M University), teacher production, and online education. The topics are fresh and timely, and the speakers cut across a broad spectrum of those who work at HBCUs, to those who work in various policy arenas in Washington, to those who study HBCUs. 

Since taking the position as Executive Director of the White House Initiative, John S. Wilson has had a clear message. He has pushed HBCUs to thrive instead of survive. His message is clear in the selection of sessions at the conference, as each of the topics and corresponding speakers aims to push HBCUs in new directions and to challenge them to do their best. 

Wilson’s message has been coupled with financial support from the Obama Administration in a variety of areas, including STEM education, teacher production, and of great importance, funding for an increase in Pell Grants (a great percentage of HBCU students attend college on Pell Grants).

I’m excited about the conversations that might take place during this conference and look forward to contributing to them. If you have any constructive thoughts and ideas on the future of HBCUs, please send them my way.