“With this executive order, we will make HBCUs a priority in the White House — an absolute priority. (Applause.) A lot of people are going to be angry that they’re not a priority, but that’s okay. (Laughter.)” – Â President Donald Trump, February 28, 2017
Black students are preparing to take on President Donald Trump tomorrow (April 27) on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Back in March, President Trump invited dozens of HBCUs Presidents to the White House, for a closed-door meeting about the fate of Historically Black Colleges in the United States.
And even though he recently signed an Executive Order to pledge more support for HBCU’s, when President Trump released his 2018 budget – surprise there were no increases in funding for federal aid or Pell grants.
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The news outraged many students and led some to believe the president had stabbed the HBCU Presidents in their backs and sold them down the river for increased financial participation from the “private sector.”
Although there were not many, President Trump did have a few supporters, since there were no cuts in the new budget.
“We are pleased that the [budget] appropriation for HBCUs has not decreased,” Director of News Services Carlos Holmes told Delaware State University’s The Hornet.
Will President Trump get around to helping HBCU’s?
Maybe.
Is it “high priority?”
No.
Tomorrow (April 27), thousands of students, alumni and professors are holding a big rally on Capitol Hill during National HBCU Day of Action.
The HBCU Collective is made up of Dr. Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College in Texas, Dr. David Wilson, President of Morgan State University in Maryland Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), Co-chair Bipartisan HBCU Caucus Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-2), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and student Tiffany Brockington of Howard University.
The point of the rally is to urge members of Congress to support predominately Black institutions of higher learning.
These are the key demands the students are demanding from President Donald Trump during the National HBCU Day of Action.
– Increase financial support for students
– Increase access and funding for federal research grants
– Increase funding and assistance for facility upgrades
The rally and protest will take place at the West Front Grassy Area of the U.S. Capitol at 12 p.m.
