For the first time ever, nine historically Black colleges and universities have “come together for a united celebration of their 150-years as institutions of higher learning in the United States of America.”
Among this celebration were Alabama State University, Barber-Scotia College, Morehouse College, Fayetteville State University, Howard University, John C. Smith University, St. Augustine’s University, Talladega College, and Morgan State University. From September 24-30, the nine HBCUs held activates at each of their campuses, including the planting of the Sesquicentennial Tree. The events were followed by a three-day Summit on Morgan State’s campus. The last event was held Saturday, Sept. 30th with a State of the Union: A conversation with the Congressional Black Caucus and National Educational Leadership in the Atrium of Morgan State’s new Business Center.
Former President and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Benjamin Jealous moderated the discussion alongside his panelists, Lezli Baskerville, Esq., president and CEO of the National Association of for Equal Opportunity in Education (NAFEO); Dr. Brian Bridges, Vice president for Research and Member Engagement of the United negro College Fund; and Dr. Arthur McMahon, Senior Associate Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
In celebrating 150 years of HBCUs and their contribution to society, the three panelists and a few audience members bounced ideas off of each other after answering questions given by Jealous about the state of HBCUs today. They discussed statistics, funding, and future ideas on how the HBCUs can work together.
