UNCF issues first ‘State of the HBCU’ address to Congress
Raleigh – The UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) released the first HBCU Congressional Honor Roll, recognizing 59 members of Congress for their efforts on behalf of HBCUs and their students. The honor roll will be released annually and will highlight members of Congress who have served as true champions and strong advocates for HBCUs and their students beyond their voting records.
Congressional support of HBCUs is vital to the continued success and sustainability of these institutions. Recognizing this, as well as the social and economic impact of HBCUs on the country and the state, Senator Thom Tillis and Representatives Alma Adams, Ted Budd, G. K. Butterfield, and David Price, have taken strong steps to support these institutions by doing things such as joining the bipartisan HBCU Caucus or sponsoring legislation beneficial to HBCUs and the students they serve.
“These members of Congress understand that Shaw University is not only an essential element of our community’s higher education landscape, but a significant contributor to the local and regional economies as well,” said Dr. Paulette Dillard, president of Shaw University, who was present for the announcement. “Specifically, Shaw generates more than 840 jobs and has a total economic impact of $88 million. The University, faculty, staff, and students spend more than $1 million locally, which in turn supports additional job creation. It is in everyone’s best interest that Shaw continues to thrive and the federal support we receive helps make that possible.”
“This new HBCU honor roll empowers the work our institutions began more than 150 years ago and hopefully helps us build on the gains we made last Congress,” said UNCF’s President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax. “These gains included more than $100 million in additional support for HBCUs. However, our institutions still need significant investment in their infrastructure and innovation goals. In addition to releasing this honor roll, today I delivered the first ever ‘State of the HBCU Address.’ I called on all lawmakers to renew and increase their commitment to HBCUs, the students and the communities they serve, by providing additional funding for the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program and setting aside $1 billion for HBCU capital improvement.”
To view the full list or to watch the entire State of the HBCU Address, visit UNCF.org/sothbcuaddress.
