Historically Black Colleges Finally Get the Spotlight

There are star hirings and hundreds of millions in donations. But not every institution is sharing in the bounty, and some are struggling to survive.

Historically Black colleges and universities are having a moment, one that many educators say is more than a century overdue. It may have started with the new vice president, Kamala Harris, who has celebrated her roots at Howard University, calling it “a place that shaped her.” Howard, in Washington, also recently announced a string of high-profile hirings, including the writers Ta-Nehisi Coates and Nikole Hannah-Jones and the actor Phylicia Rashad, who was appointed dean of the fine arts program. Athletic programs are landing top recruits, and making big-name hires. Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla., recently announced that Reggie Theus, the former Chicago Bulls guard, has become its athletic director.