A Film That Makes a Strong Argument for the Value of Debate www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/m...

Interesting report… www.insidehighered.com/news/student...

A Cengage Group survey found 76% of employers reported hiring far fewer or the same number of entry-level roles in 2025, up from 69% in 2024. www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

“In fiscal years 2018 to 2020, HBCUs received 0.9% of the total federal research funding provided to all colleges and universities. However, in 2021, HBCUs received 1.3%, and in 2022, they received 1.5%.” Biden was president in 2021 & 2022… jbhe.com/2025/10/rece...

As the Dillard choir tours this week, here is a recent @Essence article on the director, Dr. S. Carter Davenport who has been director for 50 years. www.essence.com/education/hb...

Louisiana’s red state voters voted against their interests trying to punish immigrants. Hope they’ll enjoy less crawfish with higher unemployment and higher gas prices. fox2now.com/news/nationa...

“Meharry’s mobile dental units have traveled to underserved communities throughout the state. Last year alone, providers performed more than 4,000 dental procedures across Tennessee.” www.insidehighered.com/news/student...

These findings suggest HBCU attendance may have long-term cognitive benefits for Black adults that are robust to historical and ongoing inequities resulting from racialized education policies. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Calling all Dillard alums, UNCF member students & alums, and all who love HBCU choirs. Come join me Thursday at 6 at Cascade UMC . Today they worshipped in Dallas at Friendship West.

Good morning. 3rd Sunday of Lent. Celebrated the life of Dr. Norman C. Francis this past week.

As part of my 6 cities in the past 7 days travel, I did a panel in Salt Lake City, and another in Washington DC.

“In a state that is behind only Mississippi and Louisiana in incarcerations per capita, she has already reduced parole eligibility and mandated longer prison sentences. She just needs a place to put all those prisoners.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/u...

Always good to be in Little Rock at Philander Smith University . Crashed the luncheon honoring First Lady Jasmine Medley Gipson (whom I’ve known longer than the president). Dr. Glenda Glover was the keynote. 1/

Miles College rolled out the purple carpet! President Knight and the team shared lots of great news about what’s happening in Fairfield AL (metro Birmingham). 1/2

Another energizing week visiting UNCF members. Started off in Tuscaloosa at Stillman College where we met with President Page & her team. We also attended the ribbon cutting for I Dream Big Academy. Our K-12 advocacy team has provided support, led by Sekou Biddle.

This is huge (and scary). www.cnn.com/2026/02/26/b...

At @newbirthchurch.bsky.social where is is CAU day. The band and the philharmonic choir performed. They are awarding 20 scholarships today. The VP announced that they have received over 50,000 applications so far…

Good morning- 2nd Sunday in Lent: “The prophet Elijah famously said that God speaks in a whisper. No wonder we don’t hear him today. With all the shouting and screaming on TV and social media, not to mention in our politics, who could hear anyone?” www.freep.com/story/opinio...

Norman Francis, Who Led Xavier University Into a New Era, Dies at 94 www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/u...

On my UNCF tour! This past week I was at Morris College, Oakwood University, and Talladega College.

In fall 2012, Lourdes had 139 varsity athletes (11% of undergrads). By the fall of 2022, they had 448 (70%). "Lourdes saw its full-time undergraduate enrollment tumble from 1,285 in the fall of 2012 to just 691 in fall of 2022." www.chronicle.com/article/a-sm...

A coordinated retreat from college access: What TRIO and GEAR UP cuts reveal IMPORTANT READ! www.brookings.edu/articles/a-c...

"Between the 1930s and 1940s, at least fifty three Jewish refugee scholars were hired by HBCUs across the country. These institutions included North Carolina Central University, Howard University, Tougaloo College, and Philander Smith College." cloakinginequity.com/2026/02/17/w...

I attended chapel at Oakwood University on Thursday. We are sleeping on the talent there! This Sunday listen to the singing! The arrangement of Lift Every Voice & Sing was done by freshmen! www.youtube.com/live/AHHaG_J...

I visited HBCU Early College Prep in NYC last fall- it was exciting to me! This article talks about the work and includes comments from Sekou Biddle who leads our K-12 work for UNCF. www.the74million.org/article/new-...

Pleased to be with the Talladega family for the installation of Dr. Willie L. Todd, Jr. as president. www.annistonstar.com/the_daily_ho...

Shared some thoughts on Dr. Norman Francis this week with Forbes. www.forbes.com/sites/marybe...

Good morning. First Sunday of Lent. Trying to get out of NYC before the blizzard hits! A good word from Pope Leo. press.vatican.va/content/sala...

I know I just started my Lenten social media fast, but I just got a text that Norman Francis died. He was my HBCU presidential hero. A life well lived, he inspired generations. www.nola.com/news/norman-...

“Digital media fasting, therefore, invites a rediscovery of silence, prayer, contemplation, and authentic relationships. It is not meant to punish the body but to free the heart.” Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines www.ewtnnews.com/world/asia-p...

“Nearly 44,000 first-generation and low-income students no longer receive assistance with financial aid, tutoring, campus visits or dual-enrollment courses after a national college-access organization lost federal funding last fall.” www.the74million.org/article/desp...

Black History Moment HBCUs FIRST got long term (10 year) funding for Title IIIF, one of about a dozen federal programs. President Obama proposed & signed. When it was allowed to expire in 2019, Rep. Alma Adams wrote the FUTURE Act for the program, 2nd long term funding.

Happy Mardi Gras!

This is concerning. www.complex.com/pop-culture/...

"Poulin said it’s imperative that colleges and universities work to ensure their information is easily and accurately pulled up by AI tools—a practice known as answer engine optimization (AEO) or generative engine optimization (GEO)" www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) wants to prepare the next generation of asset managers. afrotech.com/2-hbcus-rece...

Football's FY25 profit= $64.8M; Men’s basketball=$9.1M; All other sports lost $37M I had to cut programs last years as an interim, including gymnastics. I cited UA as an example. FY25, they had $1.2M in revenue, $3.6M in expenses. Football closed gap. www.al.com/alabama/2026...

“Under the restrictions, which take effect in July, graduate students will be able to borrow a maximum of $20,500 a year and a total of $100,000; students in professional schools, up to $50,000 a year and $200,000 in all.” hechingerreport.org/funding-cuts...