June 15, 2025

Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we will highlight the HBCU’s shining on the national stage and ballet’s bright star Misty Copeland’s next chapter.

HBCUs Shine on the National Stage

By Tilly Carr

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been pillars of educational opportunity for Black Americans for nearly 200 years. While HBCU institutions were originally established in response to segregation and racial exclusion, they continue to play a vital role in expanding access to higher education for historically underserved populations.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the average four-year graduation rate among the 78 ranked HBCUs reporting data was 23.2% for first-time, first-year students. Among the top 20 ranked HBCUs, that number rises significantly to an average of 40%, reflecting the growing emphasis on student retention and timely degree completion.

Key Highlights from U.S. News Data

• Spelman College in Georgia ranks No. 1 overall among HBCUs and leads the nation with a 68% four-year graduation rate, up 1% from the previous year.

• Howard University in Washington, D.C. holds the No. 2 spot, with a four-year graduation rate of 60%, down 1% year-over-year.

• Xavier University of Louisiana ranks third on the graduation list at 48%, followed by Fort Valley State University (44%) and Virginia Union University (41%).

• The national average enrollment across reporting HBCUs was 2,759 undergraduates, while the top 20 schools averaged 2,954.

Despite gains, challenges remain: eight HBCUs reported four-year graduation rates below 10%. Common barriers include changes in major, financial hardship, and personal obligations—all of which can delay or prevent degree completion.

campus chronicles // hbcu edition

Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin James announced the school will support students displaced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s pause on Job Corps enrollments, which has disrupted education for hundreds of young adults, including many in Atlanta. The federally funded Job Corps program, which offers free vocational training to low-income youth, halted new enrollments due to budget concerns and operational reviews. In response, Morris Brown will offer scholarships, housing, and workforce development resources to help affected students continue their education.

Delaware State University is making HBCU history. The school has officially named Kenya Sloan as the inaugural head coach of its new women’s wrestling program, making DSU the first HBCU to launch a varsity team in the sport.  This groundbreaking hire comes ahead of the 2025–26 season, when women’s wrestling will become a full NCAA championship sport. With this move, Delaware State positions itself as a trailblazer in expanding opportunities for Black female student-athletes.

The NBA Foundation’s NBA HBCU Fellowship Program officially welcomed its fourth cohort of HBCU Fellows, who will spend the summer interning with NBA and WNBA teams and at the league offices. The 10-week internship was created in 2022 with the goal of providing career development opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from (HBCUs).

The program’s success speaks for itself. The NBA HBCU Fellowship has featured 265 alums representing 42 HBCUs. Of those alums, 21% have received full-time jobs and early career opportunities within the NBA talent ecosystem. The 2025 class hopes to be the next generation to reap the benefits from the program. The first step was completing a three-day orientation at the NBA league offices.  

From recruiting and interviewing Fellows to curriculum development, the NBA Foundation partners with two incredible organizations, Fearless Dialogues, and Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), to execute the program. 

black history in quotes 

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A decade ago this month, Misty Copeland made history at American Ballet Theatre, becoming the first Black female principal dancer in the company's 75-year history. Her promotion, typically a quiet affair, was marked by an emotional news conference where she declared it the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. This groundbreaking achievement came just days after her impactful New York debut as the lead in "Swan Lake," which drew an unusually diverse and full house to the Metropolitan Opera. Copeland's crossover fame had already transcended the ballet world, making her a star far beyond its traditional boundaries.

Now, after 25 years with ABT, the 42-year-old icon is set to retire from the company she joined as a teenager. Her farewell will be celebrated on October 22nd with a grand event featuring her first performances in five years, alongside other dancers, speeches, and film clips. Copeland herself has been deeply involved in planning this "splashy" goodbye, which will include her dancing in the "Romeo and Juliet" pas de deux.

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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