U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Tim Scott have introduced a resolution to designate the week of September 6, 2021, as “National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.” The resolution would honor and recognize the contributions of HBCUs across the nation.
There are 107 colleges in the United States that are identified by the US Department of Education as HBCUs. Alabama has 13 HBCUs, the most of any other state. They significantly contribute to the economic prosperity of the state. According to UNCF, HBCUs create over 15,000 jobs and have an economic impact of $1.5 billion.
The Higher Education Act of 1965, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education]to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.”
“There are over 100 HBCUs across the nation, but no state is home to more than the great state of Alabama,” said Senator Tuberville. “Each one of the 13 HBCUs in Alabama plays a key role in providing a high-quality education and empowering young men and women with the resources for success. Whether it be a two-year college or four-year university, the important contributions of HBCUs are engrained in our great state, and I am proud to honor the work they do and values they instill.”
Scott commented, “America’s HBCUs are an integral part of our nation’s higher education system and provide pipelines to opportunity for millions of students, many of whom come from underserved communities. HBCUs have been engines of innovation in states like South Carolina, and their impact is felt across the nation. I am proud to recognize their importance and will continue to build on the good work we’ve done on Capitol Hill to support the HBCU community.”
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