Since the founding of the first Historically Black Colleges (HBCU) at Cheney State in 1837, HBCUs have consistently had a significant role in the education of African Americans. Despite insurmountable odds, including racism, limited financial resources, and negative labels, HBCUs have educated their students who have gone on to “uplift the race” as productive citizens in diverse occupations related to government, business, and the non-profit sector. Perhaps there is no greater challenge for HBCUs today than the current state of African American involvement in the criminal justice system. The dismal numbers include:
v One in three African American males is predicted to go to prison in their lifetime.
v African Americans make up 13 percent of the population, yet make up 27 percent of the arrest.
v African Americans make up about 45 percent of the prison population
Yet, HBCUs:
v Educate one out of eight African American undergraduate students
v Account for more than one-quarter of all baccalaureate degrees conferred to African American students
