The Black College and the Quest for Educational Opportunity

Abstract

As remnants of a period in America’s past that some would like pretend did not exist, Black colleges have frequently been devalued and misconstrued. In a time when affirmative action programs are constantly being questioned, these institutions continue to be accused of promoting segregation. However, those who make such claims do so in direct opposition to the history that led to the development of these institutions. Although it is not often discussed, Black colleges have a long-standing tradition of preparing their students for economic, political, and social success. The purpose of this article is to provide an accurate historical and contemporary view of these institutions. Much can be learned from these institutions which have creatively combined academic instruction, cultural edification, and social uplift to generate a program that has been successfully preparing students for more than 100 years.