👩🏿🎓📚 Investing in HBCUs
As you already know, February is Black History Month. With that in mind, the NBA is using this month to highlight new initiatives to support historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). On Saturday, the NBA is hosting its inaugural NBA HBCU Classic between Howard University and Morgan State University during All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. The game will be aired on ESPN2 and TNT to bring more exposure to both schools and other HBCUs across the country. Both schools will receive a $100,000 donation from the NBA and AT&T to provide their student-athletes with resources to improve academic and wellness, along with the opportunity to meet with NBA officials, team executives, current and former players in programs created to assist with professional development and networking. As a student at Hampton University, I think this is a great idea. HBCUs need exposure and more resources. However, I’ve noticed that when many people think of HBCUs, they often only think of Howard, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Hampton and now Jackson State (shout-out to “Coach Prime,” Deion Sanders). Most donations that are made to HBCUs often go to just those first four schools. But there are 107 HBCUs in the United States. Many are often left behind when it comes to philanthropy, and that needs to change. Besides the HBCU Classic, the NBA hosted HBCU-themed game nights at various universities this month, created a fellowship program to provide career development opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from HBCUs, and donated more than $3 million to communities in the Greater Cleveland area, including programs with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The NBA’s impact will have a great influence on the improvement of HBCUs and it’s hoped that it will cause a domino effect that will encourage other businesses and sports leagues to support the Black community. As Black culture writer and founder of #Blkcreatives Melissa Kimble tweeted, “This world does not move without Black creativity.” HBCUs are a significant part of Black history and American history. Just research the A&T Four or the student protests at Florida A&M in the 1960s. According to UNCF, almost 20% of all Black college graduates in America attended HBCUs. Therefore, it is important that our future Black leaders get the funding that is needed to become successful, productive members of society. So if you, too, want to be a part of making a contribution to the Black community, invest in Black education and HBCUs. — Keion Cage