HBCU ORIGINAL
“Disappearing Brothers: The Decline of Black Male Enrollment at HBCUs and Why It Matters”
Once the backbone of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Black men are slowly disappearing from the very spaces built to educate and empower them. Once nearly 38% of HBCU student bodies in 1976, Black male enrollment has now dropped to just 26%, according to the latest national figures.
This isn’t just a statistic. It’s a crisis. And it’s one that could have ripple effects for generations.
A Growing Gap: Where Are Our Brothers?
The decline in Black male college enrollment is not exclusive to HBCUs—it’s a nationwide problem. But the decline at HBCUs feels different. It feels personal. These are the institutions that have historically wrapped their arms around young Black men, provided safe spaces for growth, and launched some of the greatest leaders in Black history.
So why are fewer young Black men walking through those doors?
What’s Causing the Drop?
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about lack of ambition. It’s about the systems stacked against our young men before they even reach a college campus.
🔹 Systemic Inequities in K-12 Education
Black boys face disproportionate discipline, underfunded schools, and low expectations from educators. Far too many are underestimated long before they sit for their first college application.
🔹 Financial Barriers
College is expensive—and for many Black families, the math doesn’t add up. Rising tuition, limited financial aid, and immediate financial pressures at home often push Black men to skip college and head straight to the workforce.
🔹 Societal Pressures & Perception
Some Black men question the value of a degree when job prospects still feel limited post-graduation. The pressure to “start making money now” often overshadows the long-term benefit of education.
🔹 The “Belief Gap”
When teachers and counselors don’t believe in Black boys’ potential, it shows. That lack of belief sinks in early and shapes how they see themselves.
🔹 Shifting Perceptions of HBCUs
Despite their rich legacy, some young people perceive HBCUs as outdated or less competitive, not realizing these institutions have been—and still are—game changers in Black academic success.
🔹 Gender Disparity
Today, Black women significantly outnumber Black men on HBCU campuses. While that reflects the incredible strides Black women are making, it also highlights the imbalance and isolation some Black men feel.
The Real-World Consequences
The fallout from these trends is more than academic:
-
Reduced Economic Mobility: Without a degree, Black men face fewer opportunities for high-paying, sustainable careers.
-
Strained HBCU Communities: Enrollment drops hit budgets, alter campus culture, and weaken the support networks that make HBCUs so special.
-
National Impact: When fewer Black men enter higher education, entire communities lose out on leadership, innovation, and generational uplift.
What Can Be Done?
The good news? This trend is reversible—but only if we act with intention.
✅ Fix the Pipeline
Invest early in Black boys. That means mentorship, college prep programs, culturally responsive educators, and access to advanced coursework in middle and high school.
✅ Close the Financial Gap
Expand scholarships and financial aid targeting Black men. No one should have to choose between education and survival.
✅ Change the Narrative
We must amplify stories of Black men who succeed in and after college. Representation matters. College must be seen as a bridge to opportunity, not a detour from success.
✅ Support, Don’t Just Recruit
Retention is as important as recruitment. That means mentorship programs, Black male faculty representation, mental health resources, and a culture that truly affirms their presence.
✅ Reimagine the HBCU Experience
HBCUs must reconnect with the needs and culture of today’s young Black men. From curriculum to campus life to career readiness, HBCUs can reclaim their space as the go-to institutions for Black male empowerment.
Final Thoughts: This Is Bigger Than School
This is about saving futures. It’s about equity. It’s about building a generation of leaders, fathers, entrepreneurs, and change-makers. If we let this trend continue, we risk losing more than students—we risk losing the legacy.
So the question isn’t just Where are our brothers?
The real question is: What are we doing to bring them back—and help them stay?
Join the movement. Share this message. Support a young brother. And let’s keep the doors of opportunity open.
#HBCUOriginal #BlackMaleEnrollment #SupportOurSons #HBCUVoices #EducationCrisis #LegacyMatters
🏆 2026 U.S. News & World Report — Top HBCUs
The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings highlight the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation. These schools continue to excel in academics, leadership, culture, and legacy, while shaping the future for generations to come.
To see the full list, click here:
U.S. News HBCU Rankings (Table View)
Top 20 HBCUs (2026)
- Spelman College — Atlanta, GA
- Howard University — Washington, DC
- Morehouse College — Atlanta, GA
- Tuskegee University — Tuskegee, AL
- Florida A&M University — Tallahassee, FL
- Xavier University of Louisiana — New Orleans, LA
- Hampton University — Hampton, VA
- North Carolina A&T State University — Greensboro, NC
- Morgan State University — Baltimore, MD
- Delaware State University — Dover, DE
- Bowie State University — Bowie, MD (tie)
- Virginia State University — Petersburg, VA (tie)
- Claflin University — Orangeburg, SC (tie)
- North Carolina Central University — Durham, NC (tie)
- Jackson State University — Jackson, MS
- Clark Atlanta University — Atlanta, GA
- Dillard University — New Orleans, LA
- Elizabeth City State University — Elizabeth City, NC (tie)
- Lincoln University (PA) — Lincoln University, PA (tie)
- Prairie View A&M University — Prairie View, TX (tie)
- University of the District of Columbia — Washington, DC (tie)
To see the full list, click here:
U.S. News HBCU Rankings (Table View)
📌 These rankings showcase the strength and resilience of HBCUs, institutions that have long been the backbone of higher education for African Americans and a source of pride for the Black community nationwide.
✨ At HBCU Original, we celebrate their excellence, legacy, and the impact they continue to make on society.
Several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) lifted campus lockdowns Thursday after a wave of threats forced schools to cancel classes and order students to shelter in place.
At least five campuses — Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, Southern University, and Virginia State University — reported receiving threats that officials initially considered “credible.” While most of the emergency measures have since been lifted, some restrictions remain in place.
Southern University and Virginia State University reopened after brief lockdowns. Alabama State also ended its lockdown but continues to advise students to remain sheltered.
The schools have not shared details about the threats, but each confirmed they are working with law enforcement. The FBI later described the calls as a “hoax.”
“The FBI is aware of hoax threat calls to a number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” the agency said in a statement. “We take these threats very seriously because they put innocent people at risk. While we have no evidence of a credible threat, we will continue coordinating with our law enforcement partners to investigate.”
Students on the affected campuses described confusion and fear as events unfolded. At Hampton University, sophomore Kennedy Kyser said she was in a journalism class when word spread that there was a threat. “A lot of people were crying,” she recalled. “There was a lot of confusion.”
Kyser later left class for her dorm room, where the reality of the situation hit her. “It settled in then, and I called my mom and aunt to come get me,” she said.
Other schools also took precautions. Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach canceled classes, even though no direct threat was reported. In Atlanta, Spelman College ordered students and staff to shelter in place due to its proximity to Clark Atlanta. That order has since been lifted.
Alabama State issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to campus safety: “We are working in close coordination with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to assess the situation and to ensure the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader ASU community.”
While the immediate danger has passed, many students say the uncertainty and fear from the day will linger.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced plans to reallocate nearly $500 million to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges, even as it makes sharp cuts to other minority-serving institutions.
The Department of Education detailed the shift on Sept. 15, saying the move reflects President Donald Trump’s push to fund his top education priorities. Alongside the new HBCU and tribal funding, the agency will dedicate $500 million to charter schools and invest over $160 million in American history and civics education programs. Officials cited recent reports of declining K-12 achievement as justification for the charter school boost.
“Today, the Department is making three massive investments—moving money away from ineffective, discriminatory programs and into those that actually support student success,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.
Funding reshuffle sparks controversy
The decision comes just days after the administration froze more than $350 million in grants for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), which include campuses serving Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian students. The administration argues that awarding grants based on racial or ethnic enrollment is unconstitutional.
Trump, who has repeatedly called for eliminating the Education Department altogether, has already proposed a 15% budget cut for the agency in his 2026 plan.
With the latest reallocation, total federal investment in HBCUs for 2025 surpasses $1.34 billion, while tribal colleges will receive more than $108 million.
Praise and pushback
UNCF, a nonprofit that funds scholarships for Black students, applauded the decision. Lodriquez Murray, senior vice president for public policy, called it “nothing short of a godsend for HBCUs,” saying the money will support everything from facility upgrades and laboratory equipment to student and faculty support.
But many education leaders and Democrats criticized the move. Amanda Fuchs Miller, a former deputy assistant secretary under President Joe Biden, argued the administration had exceeded its authority. “Congress decides how money is spent,” she wrote. “The Department of Ed cannot just defund authorized programs and redirect that money for political reasons.”
Deborah Santiago of Excelencia in Education said the changes raise constitutional questions, while Mamie Voight of the Institute for Higher Education Policy warned they pit “resources for one community against resources for another,” creating long-term challenges for students—especially at Hispanic-serving institutions.
Political backdrop
Trump has made highly visible efforts to align himself with HBCUs, part of a broader strategy to appeal to Black voters. Earlier this year, he signed an executive order promoting “excellence and innovation” at HBCUs, though critics described it as mostly symbolic.
McMahon defended the funding overhaul: “We will use every available tool to meaningfully advance educational outcomes and ensure every American has the opportunity to succeed.”
The changes affect the current budget year, which expires Sept. 30 unless Congress passes a new spending bill or temporary funding measure.
Saturday, September 13, 2025 – 01:00 PM
Get ready for an electrifying showdown as the HBCU NY Football Classic returns to MetLife Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2025!
This premier HBCU football event in the Northeast promises heart-pounding action as Morehouse College takes on Howard University. Two of the nation’s most storied programs will clash on the gridiron, each vying for victory and bragging rights in front of thousands of passionate fans.
Fans can expect a full day of excitement, from pre-game festivities and marching band performances to halftime entertainment that celebrates HBCU culture and tradition. The rivalry is fierce, the stakes are high, and the energy in the stadium is bound to be unforgettable.
Don’t miss your chance to witness history in the making at the HBCU NY Football Classic – where tradition, pride, and football excellence collide!
HBCU ORIGINAL
Dillard’s Davison, Wilberforce’s Howard, and Wiley’s Russell Claim Week 1 HBCUAC Cross Country Honors
NEW ORLEANS – September 2, 2025 – The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) announced its Week 1 cross country weekly awards, recognizing standout performances from August 25-31.
Women’s Honors:
Dillard University freshman Karlise Davison made a sensational debut, earning both Runner of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors. Davison broke the Dillard four-kilometer school record, cementing herself as a rising star in the HBCUAC women’s cross country scene. Her record-setting performance has set high expectations for the season ahead.
Men’s Honors:
On the men’s side, Wilberforce University freshman Skyaqui Howard was named Runner and Freshman of the Week after leading the Bulldogs at the Wilberforce Invitational. In his first collegiate meet, Howard clocked 17:56.7, finishing seventh among 23 competitors from NCAA Division II and NCCAA programs.
Wiley University’s John Russell, a transfer from Ranger College, claimed Newcomer of the Week following his performance at Texas Christian University’s John MacKenzie Invitational. Competing against NCAA Division I athletes from TCU, Texas A&M, and Tarleton State, Russell completed the five-kilometer course in 19:38, showcasing his readiness to contribute at the HBCUAC level.
Additional men’s weekly nominees included Quante Ferguson (Talladega), Javoun Goldsby (Wiley), Earl Hurd Jr. (Wiley), Phillip Isaac (Dillard), and K’Mon Washington (Dillard), highlighting the depth of talent across the conference.
The HBCUAC continues to spotlight emerging athletes and exceptional performances in cross country, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
-
HBCU ORIGINAL3 weeks ago“Rivalry on Fire: Morehouse Battles Howard at MetLife!”
-
Campus4 weeks agoDelaware State Hornets vs Delaware Blue Hens | DeSean Jackson’s Coaching Debut & FBS Era Begins
-
HBCU ORIGINAL3 weeks agoDillard’s Davison, Wilberforce’s Howard, and Wiley’s Russell Claim Week 1 HBCUAC Cross Country Honors
-
Campus3 weeks agoMayor Adams, Chancellor Avilés-Ramos Welcome Students at NYC’s First HBCU Early College Prep High School
-
HBCU ORIGINAL3 weeks agoBenedict Ranked Ninth in Division II HBCU Coaches Poll
-
HBCU ORIGINAL3 weeks agoChris Paul Brings HBCU Classic to Atlanta
-
HBCU ORIGINAL1 week agoHBCUs Lift Lockdowns After Threats Prompt Class Cancellations
-
Campus10 hours ago🏆 2026 U.S. News & World Report — Top HBCUs