ADVANCING HBCU EXCELLENCE: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to promote excellence and innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
- The Order establishes a White House Initiative on HBCUs, housed in the Executive Office of the President, to enhance HBCUs’ capacity to deliver high-quality education to a growing number of students.
- The Initiative will prioritize private-sector partnerships, institutional development, and workforce preparation in high-growth industries like technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance.
- The Initiative will enhance HBCUs’ capabilities by supporting implementation of the HBCU PARTNERS Act, fostering research and program excellence, improving affordability and retention, and building pipelines for students to attend HBCUs.
- The Initiative will work to address barriers to HBCUs receiving certain Federal and state grant dollars and to improve their competitiveness for R&D funding.
- The Initiative will convene an annual White House Summit on HBCUs to foster collaboration and address key priorities for HBCU success.
- The Order establishes the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs within the Department of Education, comprising leaders from philanthropy, education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, private foundations, and current HBCU presidents.
EMPOWERING HBCUs FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE: President Trump supports our Nation’s incredible HBCUs and their critical contributions to opportunity, innovation, and the economic strength of the United States.
- HBCUs areessential to fostering opportunity, economic mobility, and national competitiveness, serving as engines of success for American students.
- HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to the general welfare and prosperity of the United States while producing many leaders in business, government, academia, and the military.
- Nearly 300,000 individuals annually pursue their dreams at HBCUs throughout the United States.
- These institutions generate $16.5 billion in annual economic impact and support over 136,000 jobs, strengthening communities and the Nation.
BUILDING ON A LEGACY OF SUPPORT: President Trump is committed to elevating HBCUs as beacons of educational excellence and economic opportunity, building on transformative actions from his first term.
- President Trump relocated the Federal HBCU Initiative to the White House to ensure direct oversight and prioritization, and will once again locate it there.
- President Trump signed the FUTURE Act into law, securing $255 million in permanent annual funding for HBCUs and increasing funding for Federal Pell Grants.
- President Trump authorized more than $100 million for scholarships, research, and centers of excellence at HBCU land-grant institutions.
- President Trump provided $322 million in hurricane-related relief to four HBCUs in 2018 so they could fully focus on educating their students.
- President Trump ensured that faith-based HBCUs received equal access to Federal support.