Many of the Historically Black Colleges, schools that Blacks started when white institutions would not allow Blacks entrance, have seen an increase in the number of foreign students as well as an increase in the number of African American, other Americans, and whites who are attending these institutions.

These colleges offer a small school environment, cheaper entrance fees, and a solid, no-nonsense education. Because many of the larger institutions' have increased drastically in the last 10-years, there are more Blacks and more foreigners attending, as well as a larger number of whites.

The higher number of Blacks enrolling in these institutions corresponds to the increase in the number of Blacks returning to the South. This has been a trend for the last 15-years. Professional Blacks have started a return to the South as strong as many Blacks moved North 50-years ago.

There are other factors to the changing demographics of the Historical Black Colleges as well. As diversity increases in these colleges, federal funds are made available to them. So the schools are actively recruiting diversity on their campuses in student body and in staff. Another factor to this change is this: whites are beginning to realize the quality of education in these institutions is as good as the quality of education in other national institutions. Finally, a number of whites want to break down the historical barriers that exist among Americans and they see attending these schools as a method of doing that.

Whatever the causes students are using for going to Historically Black Colleges, for most of these schools their enrollment is up and diverse, even though they retain a strong Black majority of staff and students.

There are a number of these schools, however, that are having problems with accreditation and finances. But, by and large, Historically Black Colleges remain a strong and vibrant source of Black education. That vibrancy is because, in part, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made a $100 million grant to the Negro College Fund, which allows the Fund to grant thousands of scholarships to thousands of students attending those colleges each year. Another part of the thriving nature of these schools is that the Department of Education is finally making funds available to them. Finally, another important part of the vibrancy of these schools is the large number of Black students who are seeking an environment free of racism and discrimination where they can complete their education without those added stresses experienced by most Blacks. []

Simond Griote

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