The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Trump Administration Seeks to End Tax-Exempt Status for Private Schools With DEI Policies

In the Trump administration's latest attempt to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion from higher education, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have issued a new proposal that would strip federal tax-exempt status for any private school, college, or university with race-based policies or programs.

Titus Sanders Named Executive Director of the Elizabeth City State University School of Aviation

Sanders is a pilot for United Airlines, a retired chief warrant officer of the U.S. Army, and chair of the board of directors for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. Before his new role, he led the aviation science department at Tuskegee University in Alabama.

Joe Ricks to Chair the ACBSP Board of Directors

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a global accrediting body for business education. As chair, Xavier University of Louisiana's Joe Ricks will provide strategic leadership for the organization, which serves institutions in more than 60 countries.

Cherae M. Farmer Is the First Black Woman to Lead the American Dental Education Association

Dr. Farmer has served as dean of the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College in Nashville for the past 11 years. She has more than three decades of experience in dental practice and education.

Research & Studies

Research Finds Neighborhood Integration Does Not Lead to Higher Black-White Marriage Rates

Although economically-mixed neighborhoods lead to higher rates of marriage between high-income and low-income adults, racially-mixed neighborhoods do not result in higher rates of Black-White marriages.

Study Finds Gender Stereotypes in STEM May Not Exist Among Black Women and Men

“What we found was that Black men and Black women were viewed similarly on scientist-related traits. This suggests that racial stereotypes may be a particularly important factor shaping perceptions of who is seen as belonging in science,” said lead author Sheba Aikawa, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Half of Black Americans Describe Themselves as “Working Class”

About 54 percent of Black adults in the U.S. say the term “working class” describes them well. Notably, college-educated Black adults are more likely than Black adults without a college degree to identity with the term (58 percent versus 53 percent).

Study Finds People Often Don’t Notice the Absence of Black People in a Group

A new study finds that people are significantly more likely to notice the absence of White people in a group than they are the absence of Black people. This bias in perception can mask inequality and make our environments appear more diverse than they truly are.

How Appropriated Racial Oppression Impacts Black Parent-Child Discussions on Race

The study found that parents’ own racialized worldview can impact their ability to transmit positive messages to the younger generation that are empirically found to promote well-being.

Study Connects Psychosocial Stressors With Heart Failure Risk in Black Women

Black women who have experienced racial discrimination in employment, housing, and police interactions have a higher risk of heart failure. A similar risk was found among Black women who had experienced frequent abuse in childhood or adolescence.

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Quote of the Week

“Addressing racial inequity is not discrimination. Students of color continue to face real and persistent barriers to accessing educational opportunities. Threatening the tax-exempt status of institutions for recognizing those barriers does nothing to make education fairer.”

Denise Forte,
president and CEO of EdTrust (see JBHE post)

Statistic of the Week

3,039,000
Number of African American students enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions in 2010
2,412,000
Number of African American students enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions in 2023

source: U.S. Department of Education

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

Research Finds Neighborhood Integration Does Not Lead to Higher Black-White Marriage Rates

Although economically-mixed neighborhoods lead to higher rates of marriage between high-income and low-income adults, racially-mixed neighborhoods do not result in higher rates of Black-White marriages.

Trump Administration Seeks to End Tax-Exempt Status for Private Schools With DEI Policies

In the Trump administration's latest attempt to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion from higher education, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have issued a new proposal that would strip federal tax-exempt status for any private school, college, or university with race-based policies or programs.

Study Finds Gender Stereotypes in STEM May Not Exist Among Black Women and Men

“What we found was that Black men and Black women were viewed similarly on scientist-related traits. This suggests that racial stereotypes may be a particularly important factor shaping perceptions of who is seen as belonging in science,” said lead author Sheba Aikawa, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Titus Sanders Named Executive Director of the Elizabeth City State University School of Aviation

Sanders is a pilot for United Airlines, a retired chief warrant officer of the U.S. Army, and chair of the board of directors for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. Before his new role, he led the aviation science department at Tuskegee University in Alabama.

Half of Black Americans Describe Themselves as “Working Class”

About 54 percent of Black adults in the U.S. say the term “working class” describes them well. Notably, college-educated Black adults are more likely than Black adults without a college degree to identity with the term (58 percent versus 53 percent).

Joe Ricks to Chair the ACBSP Board of Directors

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a global accrediting body for business education. As chair, Xavier University of Louisiana's Joe Ricks will provide strategic leadership for the organization, which serves institutions in more than 60 countries.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Sues Lower Oxford Township Over New Special Events Ordinance

A new Lower Oxford Township ordinance requires a formal permit for any event expected to draw more than 500 people, such as Lincoln's homecoming celebration. According to the HBCU, this ordinance violates the community's First Amendment rights by unjustly restricting Lincoln's ability to host gatherings essential to its academic mission.

New Faculty Roles for Six Black Scholars in Higher Education

The faculty appointments are Heather Tookes at Yale University, Yaa Oparebea Ampofo at Columbia University, Curtis R. Govan, Jr., II at Jarvis Christian University, Shaun Ossei-Owusu at the University of California College of Law, San Francisco, Arnold Holland at California State University, Fullerton, and Lyrric Jackson at Spelman College.

Wilberforce University Partners with MacAir Aviation for Student Flight Training

MacAir Aviation, a flight training school at the Greene County-Lewis A. Jackson Regional Airport in Xenia, Ohio, has signed a new agreement to provide the flight instruction component of Wilberforce's forthcoming aviation program.

Deborah Willis Selected to Receive an American Book Award

Deborah Willis is a University Professor and chair of the department of photography and imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. She will be presented with an American Book Award on September 28.

Lincoln University of Missouri Expands Educational Opportunities at Local Military Base

Under a new agreement, Lincoln University of Missouri will offer three certificate programs in cybersecurity, mental health for first responders, and geospatial information science to students at Fort Leonard Wood, a U.S. Army base in the Ozarks.

Four Black Administrators Selected for Key Leadership Roles at Universities

Alton C. Standifer is chief of staff at Clemson University in South Carolina and Alfred S. Chandler Jr. is chief of police at Hampton University in Virginia. Tamara White is the inaugural director for belonging and servingness at the University of Northern Colorado and Ashley Robinson is the athletic director at Texas Southern University.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Chaffey College President Henry Shannon Announces Retirement

Dr. Shannon has served as president of Chaffey College in California since 2007. He is slated to retire on September 24, concluding more than four decades in higher education.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

Bluefield State University Fires President Darrin Martin

Darrin Martin has led Bluefield State University since 2023. He was recently fired by the HBCU's board of governors after concerns were raised regarding the university's fiscal stability.

In Memoriam: Debra Daniels, 1955–2026

Daniels served 17 years as director of the Women's Resource Center at the University of Utah. Under her leadership, the center significantly expanded its programming and more than quadrupled its scholarship fund, which now supports over 100 recipients every year.

Study Finds People Often Don’t Notice the Absence of Black People in a Group

A new study finds that people are significantly more likely to notice the absence of White people in a group than they are the absence of Black people. This bias in perception can mask inequality and make our environments appear more diverse than they truly are.

Cherae M. Farmer Is the First Black Woman to Lead the American Dental Education Association

Dr. Farmer has served as dean of the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College in Nashville for the past 11 years. She has more than three decades of experience in dental practice and education.

How Appropriated Racial Oppression Impacts Black Parent-Child Discussions on Race

The study found that parents’ own racialized worldview can impact their ability to transmit positive messages to the younger generation that are empirically found to promote well-being.

Alexander Weheliye Elected President of the American Studies Association

Dr. Weheliye, an endowed professor and chair of modern culture and media at Brown University, will serve a one-year term as president-elect before assuming the presidency of the American Studies Association in 2027.

Study Connects Psychosocial Stressors With Heart Failure Risk in Black Women

Black women who have experienced racial discrimination in employment, housing, and police interactions have a higher risk of heart failure. A similar risk was found among Black women who had experienced frequent abuse in childhood or adolescence.

New Dean Positions for Three Black Administrators in Student Affairs

Dawna Jones is dean of students at Duke University and Michael J. States is dean of students for the University of Miami School of Law. Kelvin Rutledge is vice president and dean of student affairs at SUNY's Westchester Community College.

Meharry Medical College Opens New Dental Clinic for Adults With Disabilities

Meharry Medical College's new A.B.L.E Clinic provides specialized care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a population facing disproportionate levels of tooth decay and complex oral health issues.

All Recent Posts

Research Finds Neighborhood Integration Does Not Lead to Higher Black-White Marriage Rates

Although economically-mixed neighborhoods lead to higher rates of marriage between high-income and low-income adults, racially-mixed neighborhoods do not result in higher rates of Black-White marriages.

Trump Administration Seeks to End Tax-Exempt Status for Private Schools With DEI Policies

In the Trump administration's latest attempt to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion from higher education, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have issued a new proposal that would strip federal tax-exempt status for any private school, college, or university with race-based policies or programs.

Study Finds Gender Stereotypes in STEM May Not Exist Among Black Women and Men

“What we found was that Black men and Black women were viewed similarly on scientist-related traits. This suggests that racial stereotypes may be a particularly important factor shaping perceptions of who is seen as belonging in science,” said lead author Sheba Aikawa, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Titus Sanders Named Executive Director of the Elizabeth City State University School of Aviation

Sanders is a pilot for United Airlines, a retired chief warrant officer of the U.S. Army, and chair of the board of directors for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. Before his new role, he led the aviation science department at Tuskegee University in Alabama.

Half of Black Americans Describe Themselves as “Working Class”

About 54 percent of Black adults in the U.S. say the term “working class” describes them well. Notably, college-educated Black adults are more likely than Black adults without a college degree to identity with the term (58 percent versus 53 percent).

Joe Ricks to Chair the ACBSP Board of Directors

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a global accrediting body for business education. As chair, Xavier University of Louisiana's Joe Ricks will provide strategic leadership for the organization, which serves institutions in more than 60 countries.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Sues Lower Oxford Township Over New Special Events Ordinance

A new Lower Oxford Township ordinance requires a formal permit for any event expected to draw more than 500 people, such as Lincoln's homecoming celebration. According to the HBCU, this ordinance violates the community's First Amendment rights by unjustly restricting Lincoln's ability to host gatherings essential to its academic mission.

New Faculty Roles for Six Black Scholars in Higher Education

The faculty appointments are Heather Tookes at Yale University, Yaa Oparebea Ampofo at Columbia University, Curtis R. Govan, Jr., II at Jarvis Christian University, Shaun Ossei-Owusu at the University of California College of Law, San Francisco, Arnold Holland at California State University, Fullerton, and Lyrric Jackson at Spelman College.

Wilberforce University Partners with MacAir Aviation for Student Flight Training

MacAir Aviation, a flight training school at the Greene County-Lewis A. Jackson Regional Airport in Xenia, Ohio, has signed a new agreement to provide the flight instruction component of Wilberforce's forthcoming aviation program.

Deborah Willis Selected to Receive an American Book Award

Deborah Willis is a University Professor and chair of the department of photography and imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. She will be presented with an American Book Award on September 28.

Lincoln University of Missouri Expands Educational Opportunities at Local Military Base

Under a new agreement, Lincoln University of Missouri will offer three certificate programs in cybersecurity, mental health for first responders, and geospatial information science to students at Fort Leonard Wood, a U.S. Army base in the Ozarks.

Four Black Administrators Selected for Key Leadership Roles at Universities

Alton C. Standifer is chief of staff at Clemson University in South Carolina and Alfred S. Chandler Jr. is chief of police at Hampton University in Virginia. Tamara White is the inaugural director for belonging and servingness at the University of Northern Colorado and Ashley Robinson is the athletic director at Texas Southern University.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Chaffey College President Henry Shannon Announces Retirement

Dr. Shannon has served as president of Chaffey College in California since 2007. He is slated to retire on September 24, concluding more than four decades in higher education.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

Bluefield State University Fires President Darrin Martin

Darrin Martin has led Bluefield State University since 2023. He was recently fired by the HBCU's board of governors after concerns were raised regarding the university's fiscal stability.

In Memoriam: Debra Daniels, 1955–2026

Daniels served 17 years as director of the Women's Resource Center at the University of Utah. Under her leadership, the center significantly expanded its programming and more than quadrupled its scholarship fund, which now supports over 100 recipients every year.

Study Finds People Often Don’t Notice the Absence of Black People in a Group

A new study finds that people are significantly more likely to notice the absence of White people in a group than they are the absence of Black people. This bias in perception can mask inequality and make our environments appear more diverse than they truly are.

Cherae M. Farmer Is the First Black Woman to Lead the American Dental Education Association

Dr. Farmer has served as dean of the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College in Nashville for the past 11 years. She has more than three decades of experience in dental practice and education.