HBCU$™ Launches to Bridge Billion-Dollar Funding Gap for Historically Black Colleges by Empowering Alumni and Student Entrepreneurs

Free Marketing Services Offered to Boost Business Growth and Alumni Giving

GAUTIER, Miss. – April 15, 2025 – HBCU$™, a new alumni giving and wealth-building network, is set to launch on May 1, 2025, with a bold mission: to help close the multi-billion-dollar public funding gap that has historically disadvantaged Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By uplifting the entrepreneurs these institutions cultivate, HBCU$™ aims to turn business success into sustainable support for HBCUs.

Founded by Dorsey West, a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, HBCU$™ was inspired by a 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The analysis revealed that between 1987 and 2020, HBCU land-grant colleges were underfunded by an estimated $12.6 billion compared to their non-HBCU counterparts—with Tennessee State alone shorted by over $2.1 billion.

“HBCUs are facing severe challenges as budget cuts at both the federal and state levels continue,” said West. “I created HBCU$™ to harness the power of alumni support and private-sector entrepreneurship to help fill that gap.”

The HBCU$™ model is simple yet powerful: it offers free online marketing services to alumni and student-owned businesses. In return, participating businesses donate a portion of their increased revenue to the HBCU of their choice—creating a win-win cycle of economic growth and educational reinvestment.

By spotlighting these businesses through video podcast interviews, member profiles, and an online directory, HBCU$™ not only strengthens the economic impact of HBCU entrepreneurs but also fosters a culture of giving back.

Consumers can join the HBCU$™ community today by signing up for exclusive offers and early access at https://hbcus.biz.
HBCU alumni and student business owners interested in joining the platform can email promote@hbcus.biz to be featured—at no cost.

About HBCU$™
Founded by Tennessee State University alumnus Dorsey West, HBCU$™ is an alumni giving and wealth-building network designed to generate consistent financial support for HBCUs through the success of their entrepreneurs. The platform offers free promotion for HBCU alumni and student-owned businesses, which in turn pledge a portion of revenue gains back to their chosen HBCU. Learn more at https://hbcus.biz.