Partnering to Success - The Future of HBCUs

Presidents of Benedict College (Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis), Norfolk State University (Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston), and Virginia State University (Dr. Makola Abdullah) discuss partnerships between HBCUs.Representatives from eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) shouted with joy when their names were announced as grant-winners on the last day of the "Ideation, Innovation & Collaboration: The Future of HBCUs" conference in Charlotte, NC.

Just two days before, the Transformational Partnerships Fund, an initiative to support institutions of higher education explore partnerships with a commitment to diversity and equity, asked those in attendance to collaborate across institutions and propose a project focused on improving student outcomes. Applicants had roughly 24 hours to work together and submit.

The eight winners came together in two groups—Harris-Stowe State University, Wiley College, Arkansas Baptist College, Lemoyne-Owen College, and Southern University System in one group, and Wilberforce University, Delaware State University, and Tuskegee University in another. Both submitted proposals regarding mental health on their campuses. The grant money, $50,000, will be split between them.

Collaboration was a requirement for the competition and a key theme of the conference, hosted by the Higher Education Leadership Foundation, which brings together HBCU leaders and stakeholders to discuss a range of issues facing their schools. Consistently, each speaker underscored the notion that, by coming together, HBCUs can move the needle on their resources, research capacity, and serve even more students of color for decades to come.

“We are not competitors, we are collaborators, partners in this work, united together,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president of Benedict College in Columbia, SC. “[HBCUs] are all a family—it’s about sisterhood and brotherhood and ultimately educating our young people. The special sauce, the secret of HBCUs—we’re organized for a purpose, mission driven.”

Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, president of Norfolk State University.Presidents of two HBCUs, Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston of Norfolk State University and Dr. Makola Abdullah of Virginia State University, spoke about how they learned to see each other not as competitors but two equally necessary institutions in the commonwealth of Virginia. They often work together to approach legislators and grantors to access more funding.

“One of the exciting things that’s happened from COVID-19 is, we’ve realized there are things we can do without having intense proximity, we can branch off to other campuses,” said Abdullah. “Research collaboration for us as HBCUs is the key to building larger research enterprises. I believe it’s a place we have to go together. Together, we can punch way above our weight.”