The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Saint Augustine’s University Files Class 11 Bankruptcy Amidst Accreditation Turmoil

Following several years of financial and accreditation turmoil, Saint Augustine's University's board of trustees has filed for bankruptcy and decided to not continue litigation related to its accreditation status.

LeRoi Hicks Named the First African American CEO of the American College of Physicians

Dr. Hicks previously served as chief of Hospital Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is slated to become the first Black doctor to lead the American College of Physicians in July.

Itohan Osayimwese to Lead the Society of Architectural Historians

Dr. Osayimwese, professor and department chair at Brown University, will serve a two-year term as the society's vice president, followed by another two-year term as president. Her scholarship centers on relationship between political ideologies and the built environment in sub-Saharan African, the Caribbean, and Europe between 1750 and 1950.

Kesha James Named Dean of Online Learning at Miles College in Alabama

As the new dean of online learning at Miles College in Alabama, Dr. James will provide strategic leadership for the HBCU's online initiatives and oversee academic data reporting and analytics.

Research & Studies

Study Finds Racial Differences in How Parents Talk to Their Children About the Police

“Simply put, the fact that families must have these conversations is stressful,” said lead author Ashley Jackson. “Thus, it’s important for practitioners – teachers, clinicians – to be aware of the structural inequities that their clients must navigate and be thoughtful when offering their clients advice about who to turn to for help in emergent situations.”

Racial Disparities in Mortality Risk Linked to Black American’s Greater Lifetime Exposure to Stress

Using 20-years-worth of data from blood draws, surveys, and retrospective reports of childhood experiences, a study from scholars at Washington University revealed Black participants experienced more stress throughout the lifetime and had higher levels of inflammation compared to White participants, which may explain Black-White disparities in mortality risk.

Racial Differences in How Teens Use Social Media

Black teens are significantly more likely than their peers to use social media to get news. Nearly six-in-ten Black teens say they use TikTok to get news, compared to less than half of Hispanic and White teens. Black teens are also almost twice as likely to post daily on the video-sharing app.

UNCF Report Examines Wealth-Building Opportunities for HBCU Students, Faculty, and Staff

“America stands at a defining moment. The racial wealth gap, though centuries in the making, need not be centuries in closing,” the report authors write. “The tools, knowledge, and commitment exist—but they must be aligned through institutions with credibility and reach. HBCUs have both.”

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Quote of the Week

“This team combined brain-power, focus, resilience, and most of all, teamwork when it mattered most. Their belief in each other propelled them to victory.”

Clayton C. Mack, Jr.,
associate director for the division of extended studies at North Carolina Central University and coach of the national champions of the 2026 Honda Campus All Star Challenge.
(see JBHE post)

Statistic of the Week

257
Number of players selected in the 2026 National Football League draft
0
Number of players from HBCUs who were selected in the 2026 National Football League draft

Popular Categories

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

Saint Augustine’s University Files Class 11 Bankruptcy Amidst Accreditation Turmoil

Following several years of financial and accreditation turmoil, Saint Augustine's University's board of trustees has filed for bankruptcy and decided to not continue litigation related to its accreditation status.

Former Students and Staff Sue Martin University Over Its Abrupt Closure

A group of former students, staff, and Martin University's alumni association are suing the college over its abrupt closure and disruption to its students' education.

In Memoriam: Odessa Johnson, 1939-2026

Dr. Johnson was a longtime leader in education in the Modesto, California, community. The first African American to teach at Modesto High School, Dr. Johnson founded the Modesto Institute for Continued Learning and served as a regent with the University of California.

Study Finds Racial Differences in How Parents Talk to Their Children About the Police

“Simply put, the fact that families must have these conversations is stressful,” said lead author Ashley Jackson. “Thus, it’s important for practitioners – teachers, clinicians – to be aware of the structural inequities that their clients must navigate and be thoughtful when offering their clients advice about who to turn to for help in emergent situations.”

LeRoi Hicks Named the First African American CEO of the American College of Physicians

Dr. Hicks previously served as chief of Hospital Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is slated to become the first Black doctor to lead the American College of Physicians in July.

Racial Disparities in Mortality Risk Linked to Black American’s Greater Lifetime Exposure to Stress

Using 20-years-worth of data from blood draws, surveys, and retrospective reports of childhood experiences, a study from scholars at Washington University revealed Black participants experienced more stress throughout the lifetime and had higher levels of inflammation compared to White participants, which may explain Black-White disparities in mortality risk.

Itohan Osayimwese to Lead the Society of Architectural Historians

Dr. Osayimwese, professor and department chair at Brown University, will serve a two-year term as the society's vice president, followed by another two-year term as president. Her scholarship centers on relationship between political ideologies and the built environment in sub-Saharan African, the Caribbean, and Europe between 1750 and 1950.

Racial Differences in How Teens Use Social Media

Black teens are significantly more likely than their peers to use social media to get news. Nearly six-in-ten Black teens say they use TikTok to get news, compared to less than half of Hispanic and White teens. Black teens are also almost twice as likely to post daily on the video-sharing app.

Kesha James Named Dean of Online Learning at Miles College in Alabama

As the new dean of online learning at Miles College in Alabama, Dr. James will provide strategic leadership for the HBCU's online initiatives and oversee academic data reporting and analytics.

North Carolina Central University Wins the 2026 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

The Honda All-Star Challenge is an annual academic competition for students and faculty at historically Black colleges and universities. This year's top finisher, North Carolina Central University, received a $100,000 grant for their win.

New Faculty Appointments for Three Black Scholars

Tanja R. Darden was selected for a faculty fellowship in the College of Business & Economics at Towson University in Maryland, Leapetswe Malete was appointed to an endowed professorship at Michigan State University, and Igho Ofotokun is chair of the department of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

North Carolina A&T State University Partners With Forge Greensboro

North Carolina A&T State University has partnered with Forge Greensboro, a local innovation hub in Greensboro, to expand experiential learning opportunities for business students and aspiring entrepreneurs.

PEN America Honors Edwidge Danticat for Achievement in International Literature

Professor Dantict, the Wun Tsum Tam Mellon Professor of the Humanities in the department of African American and African diaspora studies at Columbia University, is the author of 18 books, including works of fiction and nonfiction.

Albany State University Expands Partnership With Southern Regional Technical College

Under a new transfer articulation agreement, students who complete Southern Regional Technical College's associate of science degree in education can now seamlessly transfer into Albany State University's bachelor of science degree in elementary education. 

Four African American Men Appointed to Administrative Roles at Universities

The appointments are TaJuan Wilson at North Carolina A&T State University, Austin McDonald at Florida State University, Barry Pearson at Grambling State University, and Altony Lee III at Florida A&M University.

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.

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

Harvard Law School Launches Online Archive Featuring the Papers of Charles Olgetree

Professor Olgetree taught at Harvard Law School for nearly four decades. In addition to his work in education, he was a defense attorney for several high-profile clients and a dedicated advocate for racial equality.

African American Studies Professor Sues the University of Arkansas for Discrimination

Najja Baptist, associate professor at the University of Arkansas, has filed a lawsuit against the university after an administrator called for his dismissal. The recommendation for Dr. Baptist's termination followed an internal audit that identified some of his research fieldwork, including visits to Black churches and community organizations, as “personal events.”

Duke University Discontinues Admissions Event Hosted by the Black Student Alliance

The annual Black Student Alliance Invitational has introduced prospective students to the Black experience at Duke University through overnight visits, networking events, and mentorship opportunities. Now, the university has discontinued the event, some four decades after its creation.

UNCF Report Examines Wealth-Building Opportunities for HBCU Students, Faculty, and Staff

“America stands at a defining moment. The racial wealth gap, though centuries in the making, need not be centuries in closing,” the report authors write. “The tools, knowledge, and commitment exist—but they must be aligned through institutions with credibility and reach. HBCUs have both.”

Denise Jones Gregory Appointed President of Jackson State University in Mississippi

Dr. Gregory was appointed interim president of Jackson State University in May 2025. Prior to that appointment, she was the HBCU's provost and vice president of academic affairs.

Research Shows a Small Increase in the Share of Black Administrators in California Schools

From 2019–2020 to 2023–2024, Black representation among California administrators rose from 7.62 percent to 8.04 percent. Notably, there is a greater representation of Black administrators compared to the share of Black students and Black teachers across the state.

Donald Comer Is the Eleventh President of Lane College in Tennessee

Dr. Comer has led Lane College on an interim basis for nearly two years. Prior to his interim appointment, he spent more than three decades as an executive with FedEx, holding positions in data analytics, marketing, finance, strategic planning, and project management.

All Recent Posts

Saint Augustine’s University Files Class 11 Bankruptcy Amidst Accreditation Turmoil

Following several years of financial and accreditation turmoil, Saint Augustine's University's board of trustees has filed for bankruptcy and decided to not continue litigation related to its accreditation status.

Former Students and Staff Sue Martin University Over Its Abrupt Closure

A group of former students, staff, and Martin University's alumni association are suing the college over its abrupt closure and disruption to its students' education.

In Memoriam: Odessa Johnson, 1939-2026

Dr. Johnson was a longtime leader in education in the Modesto, California, community. The first African American to teach at Modesto High School, Dr. Johnson founded the Modesto Institute for Continued Learning and served as a regent with the University of California.

Study Finds Racial Differences in How Parents Talk to Their Children About the Police

“Simply put, the fact that families must have these conversations is stressful,” said lead author Ashley Jackson. “Thus, it’s important for practitioners – teachers, clinicians – to be aware of the structural inequities that their clients must navigate and be thoughtful when offering their clients advice about who to turn to for help in emergent situations.”

LeRoi Hicks Named the First African American CEO of the American College of Physicians

Dr. Hicks previously served as chief of Hospital Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is slated to become the first Black doctor to lead the American College of Physicians in July.

Racial Disparities in Mortality Risk Linked to Black American’s Greater Lifetime Exposure to Stress

Using 20-years-worth of data from blood draws, surveys, and retrospective reports of childhood experiences, a study from scholars at Washington University revealed Black participants experienced more stress throughout the lifetime and had higher levels of inflammation compared to White participants, which may explain Black-White disparities in mortality risk.

Itohan Osayimwese to Lead the Society of Architectural Historians

Dr. Osayimwese, professor and department chair at Brown University, will serve a two-year term as the society's vice president, followed by another two-year term as president. Her scholarship centers on relationship between political ideologies and the built environment in sub-Saharan African, the Caribbean, and Europe between 1750 and 1950.

Racial Differences in How Teens Use Social Media

Black teens are significantly more likely than their peers to use social media to get news. Nearly six-in-ten Black teens say they use TikTok to get news, compared to less than half of Hispanic and White teens. Black teens are also almost twice as likely to post daily on the video-sharing app.

Kesha James Named Dean of Online Learning at Miles College in Alabama

As the new dean of online learning at Miles College in Alabama, Dr. James will provide strategic leadership for the HBCU's online initiatives and oversee academic data reporting and analytics.

North Carolina Central University Wins the 2026 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

The Honda All-Star Challenge is an annual academic competition for students and faculty at historically Black colleges and universities. This year's top finisher, North Carolina Central University, received a $100,000 grant for their win.

New Faculty Appointments for Three Black Scholars

Tanja R. Darden was selected for a faculty fellowship in the College of Business & Economics at Towson University in Maryland, Leapetswe Malete was appointed to an endowed professorship at Michigan State University, and Igho Ofotokun is chair of the department of medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

North Carolina A&T State University Partners With Forge Greensboro

North Carolina A&T State University has partnered with Forge Greensboro, a local innovation hub in Greensboro, to expand experiential learning opportunities for business students and aspiring entrepreneurs.

PEN America Honors Edwidge Danticat for Achievement in International Literature

Professor Dantict, the Wun Tsum Tam Mellon Professor of the Humanities in the department of African American and African diaspora studies at Columbia University, is the author of 18 books, including works of fiction and nonfiction.

Albany State University Expands Partnership With Southern Regional Technical College

Under a new transfer articulation agreement, students who complete Southern Regional Technical College's associate of science degree in education can now seamlessly transfer into Albany State University's bachelor of science degree in elementary education. 

Four African American Men Appointed to Administrative Roles at Universities

The appointments are TaJuan Wilson at North Carolina A&T State University, Austin McDonald at Florida State University, Barry Pearson at Grambling State University, and Altony Lee III at Florida A&M University.

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.

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

Harvard Law School Launches Online Archive Featuring the Papers of Charles Olgetree

Professor Olgetree taught at Harvard Law School for nearly four decades. In addition to his work in education, he was a defense attorney for several high-profile clients and a dedicated advocate for racial equality.

African American Studies Professor Sues the University of Arkansas for Discrimination

Najja Baptist, associate professor at the University of Arkansas, has filed a lawsuit against the university after an administrator called for his dismissal. The recommendation for Dr. Baptist's termination followed an internal audit that identified some of his research fieldwork, including visits to Black churches and community organizations, as “personal events.”