Capitalizing on the Opportunity for Black/Latino Cooperation
As a Washington, D.C., lobbyist representing both Spelman College,
an historically Black institution (HBCU), and the University of Puerto
Rico, an Hispanic-serving institution (HSI, Anita Estell is learning to
navigate the mercurial currents of coalition politics.
During the recent policy dispute that emerged between Blacks and
Latinos over Title III funding in the reauthorization of the Higher
Education Act (HEA), Estell had the delicate task of simultaneously
supporting the interests of Black and Hispanic-serving institutions.
She credits leaders on both sides of the dispute for staying focused on
a common goal — increasing federal funding for HSIs and HBCUs.
The focus to which Estell refers is exemplified in the actions of
people like Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.). Even though several Black
leaders had strenuously objected to proposals aimed at creating a
separate category for HSIs within the Title III legislation, viewing it
as a potential threat to HBCU funding, Fattah and several other members
of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) co-sponsored a bill that
supported the new category. The bill was authored by Rep. Ruben
Hinojosa (D-Texas), a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).
“I knew there were objections to it, but it put me in a position to
facilitate a settlement,” explains Fattah, a CBC member. “There are
many times when congressmen sign onto bills they help amend.”
The pragmatism of people like Fattah, Hinojosa, and Estell
eventually led to passage of an HEA bill that included increased
funding for both HSIs and HBCUs as well as new categories in Title V
for HSIs, Tribal Colleges, and Hawaiian/Alaskan Native-serving
institutions. (See chart in Washington Update, page 8)
“The HEA worked out to each group’s satisfaction,” Estell says.
