December 15, 2024

Good morning. Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. We will dive into why fewer Black men are choosing HBCUs, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington’s powerful new collaboration, and groundbreaking research reshaping the future of HBCUs.

Why Black Men Are Not Attending HBCUs

By Phenix S. Halley

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been the foundation of Black academic and professional success, producing more than half of all practicing Black doctors in the U.S., according to Forbes. With renowned alumni like Oprah Winfrey and Vice President Kamala Harris, HBCUs should attract a steady influx of Black students. However, application numbers have declined, particularly among Black men, who now make up only 26% of HBCU students—the lowest enrollment rate since 1976.

This decline is part of a broader issue in education, as noted by Howard University’s assistant provost Calvin Hadley, who highlighted that low Black male enrollment is felt across campuses. Black men graduate at lower rates than Black women, leaving many feeling isolated in classrooms dominated by women. Hadley emphasizes that this is not solely an HBCU problem but a systemic challenge in American education that requires urgent attention.

Despite these hurdles, HBCUs continue to provide a transformative experience for students like Howard’s Devonte Usher, who describes attending as “the best decision” of his life. HBCUs not only deliver high-quality education but also instill cultural pride and community, often lacking in predominantly white institutions. While they face persistent underfunding, HBCUs still produce a disproportionately high number of Black medical graduates, demonstrating their vital role in shaping the future of Black professionals.

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Duke University’s Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences has received NIH funding to increase diversity in otolaryngology through its “Black or African-American Research Training Pathway to Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences” program. Launching in January 2025, the program will provide research training, mentorship, and professional development to Black undergraduate students from Bennett College and Saint Augustine’s University, preparing them for graduate studies and careers in the field.

Morgan State University’s Entrepreneurial Development and Assistance Center (EDAC) has received $2.2 million from the Small Business Administration to support two outreach initiatives. The funding will enhance the RIDE Entrepreneurship Center and the Government Certifications Contracting and Matchmaking Solutions Center, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs with critical resources to navigate the business world.

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culture

Spike Lee’s upcoming film, Highest 2 Lowest, draws inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, a revered crime thriller about morality and class divides. The original film follows a Yokohama shoe company executive, played by Toshiro Mifune, who faces a moral dilemma when his chauffeur’s son is mistakenly kidnapped and held for ransom. Lee reinterprets the story with Denzel Washington as a music mogul renowned for his talent in the industry, bringing a modern twist to Kurosawa’s exploration of power, ethics, and societal pressures.

This project marks Lee’s fifth collaboration with Washington, following acclaimed films like Malcolm X and Inside Man. Apple Original Films and A24 are behind the production, with a theatrical release planned before its debut on AppleTV+. Lee praised Washington’s career-defining work, including his recent role in Gladiator II, while also revealing that rapper A$AP Rocky plays the lead in Highest 2 Lowest, with Ice Spice also featured. While details about the new film’s plot remain limited, Lee aims to honor the complexity and depth of Kurosawa’s masterpiece.

Our editor, Lisa D.Tinsley, would like to thank you for spending part of your day with KISA News Radio.

See you next Sunday.

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