The HBCU Transformation Project Aims to Improve Student Outcomes
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The HBCU Transformation Project is a new initiative that aims to increase the sustainability and capacity of a select group of HBCUs, thereby providing stronger support for Black and minority students facing social and economic hardship. HBCUs have historically been underfunded yet highly successful at preparing the Black workforce for their future career paths. By increasing funding for these institutions, the hope is to expand HBCUs’ impact.
Backed by Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and the Partnership for Education Advancement, . the project, which has an initial investment of $60 million provided by the Blue Meridian Partners, strives to “uplift the entire HBCU community by increasing enrollment, improving graduation rates, pursuing more public funding, strengthening economic development partnerships, and much more” (WABE). The overall mission is to propel solid, long-term advancement toward improving student outcomes and progressing the Black economy.
Currently, only 20 HBCUs, including Morehouse College, Spelman College, South Carolina State University, and Benedict College, will receive part of the $60 million funding from the project.
Dr. Michael Lomax, President of the UNCF, made the following statement on the HBCU Transformation Project (via WLTX News 19).
“Overall, this is not just to give individual grants to these institutions for specific projects, it’s also to help build the overall strength and capacity of the institutions to compete in the 21st century against institutions that have far more resources and aren’t addressing the same students that attend historically black college,” said Dr. Lomax. “Blue Meridian Partners’ support is very important and will significantly enhance the HBCU innovation and transformation work that UNCF’s Institute Capacity Building team has been pioneering for nearly two decades. This high-profile campaign will make the case to donors and to the government to elevate the profile of HBCUs and raise the support they deserve.”
To learn more about the HBCU Transformation Project and its participating institutions, please email hbcutransformation@tmcf.org.