In a political world where every headline seems designed to divide us, sometimes something
happens that makes you stop and say: “Wait… did that really just happen?”
Last month, President Donald Trump announced a nearly half-billion-dollar funding surge for
America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — schools that have produced
generations of doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Yes, you read that right: $500 million more for HBCUs, boosting their total federal funding to a record-breaking
$1.34 billion — a 48% increase in one year. Tribal colleges saw their funding more than double
as well.
That’s not pocket change. That’s not symbolism. That’s real money going into labs, scholarships, dorm repairs, and keeping the doors open at institutions that have been underfunded for decades yet have continued producing excellence anyway.
And for me, this isn’t just policy on paper — it’s personal. My own daughter is a student at Howard University. I’ve walked those halls, talked to the faculty, and seen what it takes to keep excellence alive in the face of constant financial strain. I know the pride families feel when their children attend these storied institutions — and the frustration when resources don’t match the brilliance inside those classrooms. This funding is more than numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s oxygen for students like her.
Let’s be real. For many Americans, the Trump name sparks instant distrust. They see the rollbacks on DEI, the legal battles over race-based programs, and assume the goal is to harm communities of color. You’ve heard it. I’ve heard it. We’ve all heard it.
But then this happened. Nearly $500 million redirected toward Black institutions. No hashtags.
No slogans. No “task force to study it for ten years.” Just a massive check and a clear message:
“We’re betting on you.”
This isn’t a one-off stunt. Let’s rewind the tape. In his first term, Trump signed the FUTURE
Act, which made permanent annual funding for HBCUs — something presidents from both
parties had talked about for years but never delivered. He moved the White House Initiative on
HBCUs into the Executive Office of the President, giving these schools a literal seat at the table
of power. This new investment is the follow-through. It’s not talk. It’s not photo ops. It’s not “maybe someday.” It’s action.
Now, some will say: “He cut DEI. He cut MSI grants. This doesn’t make up for that.” And that’s
fair to debate. But let’s also be honest: for decades, many of these institutions have been left
scrambling with crumbs, trying to do more with less, while others got blank checks and shiny
new buildings. HBCUs have produced CEOs in outdated classrooms and surgeons from labs that should’ve been replaced a generation ago.
So when nearly half a billion dollars shows up to strengthen those same schools? That’s not
small. That’s historic. You can dislike his tweets. You can disagree with his style. You can question his motives. But facts are facts: under this administration, HBCUs have received record-breaking, game-changing investments.
And here’s where gratitude matters. For years, communities have demanded that presidents
invest in Black institutions with the seriousness they deserve. And when one finally does, it
shouldn’t be hard to say “Thank you.”
This doesn’t mean blind loyalty. It doesn’t mean silence on other issues. But this — right here —
is a moment to acknowledge that our schools just got stronger. Trump didn’t do this quietly. He did it in the middle of lawsuits, protests, media outrage, and nonstop skepticism. And he still signed off on the single biggest boost to HBCU funding in modern times.
Call it bold. Call it unexpected. But one thing is clear: this is a moment worth saying out loud.
For HBCUs, this isn’t about politics — it’s about growth, opportunity, and survival. It’s about
students like my daughter — and thousands like her — having the chance to thrive.
Sometimes history doesn’t knock politely.
Sometimes, it kicks the door open.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/oct/16/trumps-500-million-bet-pays-black-colleges/
- Latest News
- October 22, 2025
