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What Kamala Harris’ presidential nomination may imply for HBCUs

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What Kamala Harris’ presidential nomination may imply for HBCUs

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At Texas Southern College, a Houston-based traditionally Black college, Vice President Kamala Harrisnomination to steer the Democratic ticket has sparked a way of “delight and motivation,” in line with sociology professor Carla Brailey. 

Seeing Harris, an HBCU graduate, “on the cusp of constructing historical past” as she runs to grow to be the primary lady to function U.S. president has sparked campuswide discussions on management and pursuing bold objectives, Brailey stated in an e mail. 

“College students and school view VP Harris as a job mannequin embodying the success and management qualities the college goals to instill,” Brailey stated. 

Harris, a Howard College alum, is amongst an extended checklist of public officers on the nationwide stage who graduated from HBCUs. That features former Secretary of Homeland Safety Jeh Johnson, former Surgeon Common David Satcher and former Supreme Court docket Justice Thurgood Marshall.

However as the primary HBCU alum to steer the ticket of a serious political social gathering, “she’s breaking by way of the glass ceiling,” stated Terrell Strayhorn, director of analysis at Virginia Union College’s Middle for the Examine of HBCUs. 

HBCU leaders and specialists say her nomination is putting a highlight on the function HBCUs play in making ready future leaders, elevating consciousness of those establishments amongst potential college students, donors and employers. 

“The presidency of the USA is the largest bully pulpit on the earth. It has the brightest mild,” stated Lodriguez Murray, senior vp of public coverage and authorities affairs at UNCF. “If this HBCU graduate is ready to ascend to that workplace, it bodes to shine a shiny spot on not simply Howard College, however all the 100 or so accredited traditionally Black faculties on this nation.”

A long-lasting legacy

Some proof factors to Harris’ nomination already bringing elevated consciousness, visibility and curiosity in HBCUs, Strayhorn stated. The Middle for the Examine of HBCUs observed a spike in HBCU-related hashtags, posts and feedback on social media in the course of the week following her candidacy announcement, he stated. 


“Donors could really feel an elevated sense of delight and accountability, probably resulting in enhanced philanthropic efforts.”

Carla Brailey

Sociology professor at Texas Southern College


Harris’ nomination “sends a strong message to potential college students,” stated Harry Williams, president and CEO of Thurgood Marshall School Fund. It underscores that HBCU college students can “obtain their desires and create affect inside their communities,” he added.

The nomination additionally helps put to relaxation the long-asked query: Are HBCUs nonetheless wanted?

“All all through my lifetime, we instructed college students, younger individuals, you might be something you need to be, even the president of the USA,” Murray stated. “The truth that the vp is educated and educated properly by traditionally Black universities, not one of many Ivy establishments — I believe that it’s actually bringing that promise to life.”

Neither Harris nor her working mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, attended an Ivy League establishment for his or her undergraduate or graduate training. 

In distinction, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, first attended Fordham College earlier than transferring to the College of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League establishment, for enterprise faculty. His working mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, attended Ohio State College earlier than enrolling in Yale College, additionally an Ivy League establishment, for legislation faculty. 

HBCU advocates and specialists are optimistic that Harris’ nomination will present that traditionally Black faculties measure as much as different establishments by way of scholar success. That might assist transfer that needle by way of getting philanthropic donors to consider in these establishments, Murray stated. 

That might proceed philanthropic momentum for HBCUs that began following the homicide of George Floyd, a Black man whose loss of life in 2020 by the hands of a White police officer sparked nationwide unrest. 

Brailey anticipates Harris’ nomination will generate renewed enthusiasm amongst Texas Southern’s donors — significantly its alumni and supporters, she stated. 

“Donors could really feel an elevated sense of delight and accountability, probably resulting in enhanced philanthropic efforts,” Brailey stated.

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