Morgan State University, Maryland's largest Historically Black University, is taking decisive action to address a concerning trend: the steady decline in Black male 
Dr. David K. Wilson
Recent data from the American Institute for Boys and Men reveals a stark reality: HBCUs have experienced a 25% decrease in Black male enrollment since 2010, surpassing the 22% decline observed across all U.S. higher education institutions. At Morgan State, despite achieving record-breaking total enrollment figures and becoming the nation's third-largest HBCU, the percentage of Black male students has dropped from 43% in 2015 to 37% in fall 2024.
"Morgan has long been a leader in providing access and opportunity for Black males seeking higher education," Wilson said. “The ongoing decline in Black male enrollment at HBCUs is a clarion call for action, and we will not stand idly by.”
The Presidential Task Force on the State of Black Male Enrollment at Morgan will be led by co-chairs Dr. Mark Barnes, associate professor of History and Geography, and Dr. Michael Sinclair, associate professor of Social Work. This interdisciplinary group brings together faculty, researchers, staff, and students to develop innovative solutions for improving recruitment, engagement, and retention.
Sinclair emphasized the complexity of the challenge ahead: “Addressing the decline in Black male enrollment requires a thoughtful, cross-sectional analysis of the economic, social, and institutional factors at play—and the broader socioeconomic impact on Black families and communities." He added that the task force aims not only to understand these trends but to implement meaningful solutions that will encourage Black men to view higher education as an attainable and rewarding path.
The task force will focus on several key areas, including examining socioeconomic and cultural factors influencing college enrollment, identifying successful intervention models, and evaluating the current student experience of Black males at Morgan. Their work will culminate in a comprehensive set of recommendations designed to strengthen retention and graduation rates.
