The Divine 9 Council of Presidents Discusses Biden- Harris Administration's Build Back Better Framework with a focus on Investments in and Support for HBCUs
By Britton Smith T he National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents met with Vice President Kamala Harris on October 6, 2021 to discuss the administration's Build Back Better agenda. This including the infrastructure bill's impact on the Black Community, access to capital, the racial wealth gap and equity matters. Among these matters, the Vice President's briefing included a discussion of Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUs. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a proud history and legacy of achievement. In the face of discrimination against Black Americans by many institutions of higher education, HBCUs created pathways to opportunity and educational excellence for Black students throughout our Nation. HBCUs vary in size and academic focus and serve a range of diverse students and communities in urban, rural, and suburban settings. HBCU graduates are barrier-breaking public servants, scien- tists, artists, lawyers, engineers, educators, business owners,
and leaders. This list includes several leaders serving in the Biden-Harris Administration, including Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement Cedric Rich- mond, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Mi- chael Regan, and the first HBCU graduate to serve as Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. Despite this record of success, disparities in resources and opportunities for HBCUs and their students persist, and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted continuing and new challenges for HBCUs. To promote our shared prosperity and advance equity for all Americans, the Biden-Harris Administration has delivered. It continues to prioritize historic levels of in- vestment in and support for HBCUs. Those actions include:
Historic Investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan
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