HBCUs are relevant for a few, but not all, future college students. They have some serious flaws (e.g. money, lack of modernization, admitting students that would not receive serious consideration at any non-HBCU) that do not make them competitive in the collegiate market. I guess some go for the necessary self-esteem; but, you shouldn't go to a school for self-esteem purposes alone.

I attended a HBCU; but, I transferred to a non-HBCU. I did not enjoy my time there and I didn't feel the school was cost effective. Needless to say, I received the college education I deserved once I transferred. My children will not attend HBCUs for the issues that I have with them.

Unfortunately, I must say that the writer did not inform his readers that he had to complete his major at another school as his school (my husband's alma mater, actually) did not offer it.

I completely agree with the author. I attended Hampton University for three years, and while I did not graduate from the institution (due to limited financial resources), I consider myself an Alumni, and I learned many lifelong lessons that still resonate within me today. I learned how to love myself for who I am. I ascertained the importance of carrying myself as a proud black woman. I discovered that I am as smart, as powerful, and as worthy as any of my white counterparts. The sense of pride, self- confidence, and self determination that one receives from attending an HBCU parallels no other life experiece. Are HBCU's still relevant? As long as topics of race,diversity, and equality are still an issue in America, HBCU's will always have their place.

 This is an excellent article. While it has been tradition for African American students to consider historical black colleges and universities, discrimination is still prevalent in your larger urban universities. The sad part, advisors and administrators do not perform their duties concerning students; instead mock them. When I returned part time to the University of Louisville in 1999, I was inducted in Golden Key International Honor Society,and subsequently Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society; was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities in 2001. Sadly enough some of these racist individuals take the time to fill your advisors head about you and then mock you by telling you it is a wonder that you did not follow your mother's steps and become a teacher. I was told that I just needed one course to graduate, but was also told that "nothing was wrong with me", I was not stupid, and I was not dumb." I was also sent an e-mail from one of the fraternal organization that I belong to telling me" we can get that degree in education for you. Yes, I cry, because the reasoning behind this is too long to tell. I dropped out of college. Administrators are somebody else. It does not matter that you have a Black face. Now I am footing on my own, where I will give my current school an "A" in diversity.

 Great article Daryl. I as graduate of Virginia State University, I too hold the same sense of pride and confindence that most, if not all, HBCUs seem to nurture. Best of luck to you and other HBCU alumn in holding the light high.

 I believe they are as relevant, if not more so, than when they were the only form of higher education for African Americans. I'm proud that my daughter graduated from an HBCU in North Carolina and my son is currently attending one in Texas. The confidence and guidance provided by these institutions and it's effect are a life-changing experience.

 My comment is this, a black school (Norfolk State University) made me who I am today. I had the best nurturing and I was just not a number. I attended a white school for grad school (Ohio State University) and I was just another fish in the sea. In my opinion black schools build our character and teaches the basic life skills to survive after graduation. I could go on but I believe you got the point. I truly believe had it not been for HBCU's the Obama election results would had been alot of closer than the blow out over McCain. We were instrumental in reaching out to those 19 year old females and males who do not care vote. There are HBCU's leaders such as radio icon Tom Joyner who always give to HBCU's for scholarships and books. HBCU's build leaders of tomorrow and I will never regret my decison to attend an HBCU.

 HBCU's are most definitely still relevant. As a parent of 2000 graduate of Morehouse Ronald Falls Jr, I saw the confidence building while he was a student at Morehouse. He was always extremely smart, but always second guessing himself and his abilities as a child and teenager, but as a student at Morehouse I witnessed a transformation into a more confident young man, his leadership skills were honed in on and he graduated with lifelong friendships established, a more focused young man, and the seed of greatness about what is expected of a black man planted. The reason I notice the difference is my younger son attended a non HBCU and it is taking him a little while longer to move into his confident stride and realize his self worth

Good morning Daryl C, I found your article on the need for HBCU's very impressive. I think a number of individuals have become accustom to being the lone black person in many situations (classes, work environments, etc.) and caused themselves to be secluded from volunteering because of the uncomfortable situations.

I think more of the norm than not is to expect that individuals will recognized your had work and select you. The historically nature and HBCU experience is a missing link in many lives of African Americans. Being able to link that experience to a world of

individuals who so desperately need it would be magical. I am working on "The HBCU Extension". The idea came about because we do not have an HBCU on the West coast. I would love to hear your insights on this idea and any resources.

Thanks again for your article

 My experiences at Morehouse were similar to those described by Mr. Hannah. I attended Morehouse for nearly three years before a chronic illness and family issues forced me to transfer to Georgia State University. In those three years, Morehouse prepared me for and gave me the confidence and courage to face and overcome the academic and cultural challenges I encounted at GSU. I was elected student government president at GSU and went on to attend and graduate from the University of Florida College of Law. Today I can not mention my educational and career achievements without including a word of recognition and gratitude to Morehouse College. I'm certain many others who attended and/or graduated from an HBCU have similar stories of success which can be attributed to the unique holistic and nurturing learning environments and experiences provided by HBCUs. In my opinion, HBCUs are relevant and remain a vital part of our nations history and future.

 One thing readers may be interested in finding out is to see what statistics are behind HBCUs graduation rates, statistics upon graduation, etc. Have something measureable to go along with a personal account (which would either back up your opinion or may change your opinion).

 This is a great article. It is so relevant. I applaud you for attending a great school. I know becaue I attended a pre-dominantly white university where prejudice abounds. It is bad that we need our HBCs today but thre it is. Institutional racism is alive and well. Also, HBC colleges and universities are private (?) as opposed to public school.

 Try closing Notre Dame or other colleges and universities rich in tradition and heritage and see what repocussions you'll encounter? Black Colleges and Universities teach unspoken life skills and values for Black students that are not subject to Academic approval in majority institutions. Instructors in HBCUs view their real job as preparing young minds for a society that still sees color in its decision making. Majority schools are consumed with academic excellence and regardless of policies against race discrimination, it still occurs because of a history that once suggest that Blacks were inferior. Remember it was academia that determined that Blacks were inferior to whites.

 I just wanted to take a moment to thank you SO much for your wonderful comments about attending an HBCU. I attended Cheyney University (the oldest historical Black institute for higher learning) and let me tell you, I would not change one bit of the things I learned there. My education at Cheyney not only prepared me adacemically for Corporate America, it prepared me mentally and emotionally. Like you, I was "the only one" in a sea of Caucasian students most of my academic life. It was at Cheyney I found my inner strength that, as far as I am concerned, is one of the most valuable things in the world.

 I too made the "difficult choice" between attending Yale University and Spelman College after high school. Having ultimately selected Spelman and now attending a PWI for law school, I appreciate the confidence, pride, leadership qualities, and passion for excellence that Spelman helped to cultivate. The HBCU experience varies from school to school, but for a student who finds comfort and confidence as well as a committed team of professors that will expect only the best...an HBCU may be the right choice.

 Daryl, I am so glad you wrote this story. I attended Norfolk State University in Virginia, which is a HBCU. I gained so much from attending this institution and I adjusted very well when going out into the predominately white corporate world. I came out with the confidence that I could compete with anyone. My HBCU also prepared me for seminary to earn my D.Min. I do not think this would have been the case had I gone to Florida State University. HBCU's were relevant for our ancestors and they are still relevant today.

 I am in complete agreement with you.I am also a proud graduate of an HBCU, Morgan State Class of 77. The morehouse graduates that I have worked with have done well and you will to.

I agree that HBCUs are relevant today, but for only half of the reason that Daryl sites. He correctly points out the root problem -- the isolation and lack of confidence of young Black professionals. I experienced the same challenge when I graduated from high school as a Black man in 1964. However, I found that attending George Washington University did exactly for me what Morehouse did for Daryl -=- it provided me with the experience, educational and social environment, and the confidence to have a long career at IBM as a sales executive. I never would have thought about a sales career with the premier IT company in the world without the foundation I received at the Schoold of Government and Business at GW.

I think HBCUs serve to provide an anchor for the Black culture and hitorical prgress in the struggle for equality. I believe all Blacks should support HBCUs to preserve this hritage, and make them stronger institutions. The HBCUs need to figure out how to partner with mainstream schools to create a shared educational experience for those who are more comfortable in a predominantly Black environment during their formative years. The world beyond the HBCUs is very different.

 As a graduate of an HBCU (Xavier Univ of LA) and a majority school for my graduate work (Ohio State Univ), I can unequivocably say HBCUs are still relevant. XU provided a foundation of self-worth and self-value that I would not have gotten at a majority school. This allowed me to successfully compete on a much bigger stage. Going to a majority school for graduate work was just as valuable in understanding how the world operates across a much more diverse human dimension. I have gone on to become a Senior Executive in the Federal government. My roommate at OSU, who also attended an HBCU (NC A&T), is currently serving as the first Black Chief of Staff to a Southern Governor.

Like building a house or a relationship - you have to have a strong foundation.

 I hope we have not decided that one major election with a very capable leader is enough to erase the need and the contributions that HBCUs have made to the nation and African American community overall. It is about choice and preference. Why not consider the fact that one day, thanks to this election our next president, may be the product of an HBCU. Let's take this opportunity to build on the history and foundation of the HBCUs not tear them down. We have much work to do, rather than spend time and conversations on undoing what has worked well for thousands.

 I'd like to congratulate Mr. Hannah on his first "real" job! This was a great article and one that needed to be written. As a Spelman graduate, I completely relate to the experience you had at Morehouse. HBCU's are still relevant and necessary. You're right in that the experiences vary widely from school to school and just like with all things, one must be an educated consumer.

 I attended Hampton University for the first 2 years of my college career. It was the best decision I've ever made. I'm from what was then a predominantly white town that held little respect for the black community and our plight. When I first arrived in April of 1999 at the High School day I knew that I was making the right decision. Hampton is where I found my self and began to love myself and appreciate myself as a Black woman. I wouldn't exhange that experience for anything.

 This is so absurd! Does anyone ask If White University are still needeed. I am sick of this being a question on the rise. As long as racism still exist in America, as long as African-American's are viewed as second-class citizens, as long as doors of opportunity keep being denied to many of our kids, Than, YES we still need Black Colleges and Universities. It has served many students, and produced a lot of "to do" people in today's society. I am happy to have attended Morris Brown College. I would not have become who I am today, if the nurturing and love that I recieved at my Alma Mater was not there. I attended a white university before MBC and the racism that I encountered was beyond me. Please let's stop making this into a big issue. Yes we still need them, just like we need junior colleges.........and white univesities. Any system that is currently educating our kids, needs to exist................. All educators should be Millionaires. There nothing like attending a Black College. Kudos to all those that have!

 I must say I can definitely relate to Mr. Hannah's article. I too was the only black girl during my k-12 years and decided to attend one of the greatest HBCU's in the country The Southern University and A&M College. During my matriculation I not only gained the self confidence I needed to succeed in life, but also the drive to carry on a legacy for my people. I not only received my Bachelor's degree from Southern University but my Master's degree as well. Being part of the legacy has made me the person I am today, proud, confident, and a true leader.

 I am sorry you did not have a good experience at a HBCU. But I am even sorrier that you are not encouraging free thought with your children by allowing them to choose which school they feel is best for them.

My article does not imply perfection among HBCUs. However, it does convey the sentiment that there are hundreds of extremely intelligent students who fall through the cracks of the education system simply because there are so few instructors who can relate to them. And if it weren't for historical Black colleges and universities, they would be forgotten about. I also intended to, and successfully, conveyed the importance of community when it comes to the educational process. That's what I got from Morehouse and what hopefully you got from the traditional university to which you transferred.

 Interesting article and comments. I attended Jackson State University for similar reasons others have stated. I could have attended majority white institutions, but chose an HBCU because I KNEW the experience would be different. But, the relevancy for HBCU's is based on the fact that most HBCU's still accept the African American student who may NOT have the best test scores coming from high school, and they produce lawyers, doctors, engineers, business people, etc.

i believe that attempting to do a analysis of what the impact of attending a HBCU vs Majority White institution on am individual level, (especially for the African American student who qualifies for the "talented tenth" designation) misses the point. HBCU's serves the whole of the African American student population, whereas the other institutions tend to cherry pick ONLY our best and brightest (and most gifted in athletics!)

 QUOTE FROM JONSCOTT WILLIAMS:"at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) I was no longer the only (or smartest!) Black in the class. It was an experience that contributed greatly to my maturation and to my awareness of the wide range of Black experience in America."

As a Hampton Alumn, I totally concur. GO PIRATES!

 I appreciate the frank and clear benefits identified by Mr. Hannah. As a mother of a black male high school junior, we are contemplating college, it was our first thought to apply to a HBCU. This decision was based on an assumption that there would be greater attention given to the building of confidence and self esteem in addition to a good education. I nor my husband attended a HBCU and were depending primarily on the colleges to identify the benefits of the HBCU over other colleges of the same size and similar offerings. Daryl's comments where helpful in continuing to affairm that our first choice should remain a HBCU! Thanks for sharing your experience.

I come from a long line of HBCU graduates. My grandfather graduated from Virginia Union; my grandmother, Fort Valley State College (now, Fort Valley State University); my mother and father are graduates of Tuskegee Institute (now, Tuskegee University); my step-father is a graduate of Fisk College (now, Fisk University; both of my sisters are graduates of Tuskegee University...so, you see, it was practically instilled in me that attending an HBCU was second nature. I'm proud to say that both my wife and I are HBCU graduates. I graduated from Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA & my better half graduated from Alabama State University. I was very fortunate as a youth to have gained the HBCU experience very early. My stepfather was head basketball coach at TU, while my mother served as Director of Dance for the TU Pipperettes(majorettes). I guess it's safe to say that I basically knew nothing else. My proudest moment came when I graduated from high school and had to make the decision to select an athletic scholarship from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa or Southern University. While I will admit, I pondered over the decision, but soon came to my senses that my best option was to attend Southern. I, too, like the author, sometimes look back on my decision and wondered what might have come from my experience at UofA. Then, I come back to my senses and realize that I wouldn't have traded my experience on the BAYOU for nothing in the world. HBCU graduates continue to make a tremendous presence in all categories of life. I'm proud to be in the company of such strong, diligent and magnificant superlatives in this vast diaspora of HBCU'dom.

Jaguar Nation!!

I am a graduate of Southern University Baton Rouge and received a degree in engineering. I am currently an MBA student at a non-HBCU and the level of interaction and enjoyment is just not there. Unfortunately, our peers view graduate studies on a higher level coming from non-HBCU's.

Its wonderful that many students attending HBCUs can succeed and find success they sought after graduating from a HBCU. But is it possible for a student to attend a HBCU and still be lost in the shuffle? My Freshman Granddaughter attends Howard University and found herself lost and feeling displaced while taking a chemistry class last semister. So much so that she now wants to change her major. But she still wants to remain at Howard because while attending a predominantly white high school she thought of nothing else but attending a HBCU.

Of course they are!

I recieved both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from two HBCUs.

I was challenged everyday and have taken what I learned to the newsroom.

If nothing else, attending an HBCU will show you that being black and intelligent is the rule, not the exception. It'll do wonders for yourself esteem and yourself identity.

Honestly, there's nothing better!

Without question, HBCUs are relevant. As a graduate of Fort Valley State College (now Fort Valley State Univesity), I was forced to go above and beyond the realm of status quo. My professers offered encouragement while demanding excellence. They reinforced the values I learned early on from my parents, who both attended Fort Valley State, while setting the charge for me to "raise the bar" so that I would serve to inspire the next generation.

My 19-year career with the federal government is the direct result of my attendance at an HBCU. While many predominately White institutions offer such programs as Cooperative Education, many of the minority students attending them are not privilege to this information. Although it is always the responsibility of a student to seek out opportunities for growth in these areas, the director of this program at Fort Valley made it her goal and mission to ensure that all students were aware of the importance of completing interns and working in co-op. Through her outreach efforts, I was able to participate in both aspects and secure my future within my agency.

These are just a few of the factors that will continue to be paramount in the relevance of HBCUs.

I am a senior in high school, and i will be attending an HBCU..I will be going to Alabama A&M University. When i went for a campus visit I fell in love with the school, you felt this homely feeling, and i feel like i won't get lost in the crowd and I also feel that choosing an HBCU will pay off for me in the long run

Yes...I feel no other undergrad institution could prepare me for the world, graduate school, and life like Spelman College. Attending Spelman opened up doors for me and allowed me to have opportunities that I could have not gotten anywhere else. I could have gone to college anywhere, but am happy I chose a HBCU!!

There is non better; I encourage everyone I meet to consider a HBCU vs. a state school....... JCSU!

I believe that to even ask the question as to whether or not HBCUs are still relevant is insulting and asinine! I did not attend an HBCU and yet you don't hear Jewish, Catholic, or Mormons questioning whether or not their universities are relevant. Of course HBCUs are relevant. There is an educational experience as well as a social experience that breeds a rather enviable brotherhood and sisterhood that only an HBCU can provide. I wanted to attend an HBCU but did not have the opportunity despite being accepted to both Spelman College and Howard University. Nevertheless I want the option of attending an HBCU to be there for my children!

Why ask the question? Yes, HBCU colleges are still relevant! I graduated from a HBCU in a time where there was not much choice because the White schools tuition was so expensive that most Blacks could not attend. The total experience taught me educationally, socially and spiritually. By attending a HBCU prepared me for the REAL world by providing a proper education and comfortablity. I felt like I was important to each instructor and real concern was expressed and investigated why a grade was low; it was that caring attitude that encouraged me to work at my best.

I imagined had I attended a white college, I would not have received the level of concern and challenge, I received at my HBCU. I did not experience "class issues" or hatred and nor did I have to question if my paper was really an "A" paper but received a lower grade.

I think more Blacks should support the HBCU schools as they are not popular now because they are rated lower than most White schools and my educated generation feels that the HBCU is not good enough for their child. My educated generation is failing to realize that most of them would most likely not be where they are today if they had attended a white college.