The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Loren J. Blanchard Appointed President of California State University, Long Beach

Dr. Blanchard has served as president of the University of Houston-Downtown for the past five years. He is slated to assume the presidency of California State University, Long Beach on May 1.

Tougaloo College Announces Three Finalists for President

Historically Black Tougaloo College in Mississippi has announced a field of three finalists to become the fifteenth president of the educational institution. In March, a candidate is expected to be chosen to become president.

Annice Yarber-Allen Named Provost of Albany State University

Originally trained as a social worker, Dr. Yarber-Allen has worked in higher education for over two decades. Her prior experience includes academic leadership roles with Auburn University at Montgomery and Columbus State University.

Fort Valley State University President Paul A. Jones Announces Upcoming Retirement

“As I look toward the conclusion of my presidency, I do so with confidence in Fort Valley State’s future,” said Dr. Jones. ”This confidence comes from knowing the strength of the people who sustain this institution and the clarity of the mission that continues to guide us.”

Research & Studies

Research Finds Washington, D.C. Has the Highest Racial Wealth Gap in the United States

In our nation's capital, White people earn about 64 percent more than Black people. Compared to White residents, Black residents of Washington, D.C. have a 374 percent higher poverty rate, are 61 percent less likely to have a bachelor's degree, and are 263 percent more likely to be unemployed.

Federal Data Shows Significantly Higher Divorce Rates Among Parents of Black Children

Nearly one-third of Americans born between 1988 and 1993 experience their parents' divorce in childhood. However, the impact of divorce is not spread evenly across racial groups, with 45 percent of Black children in this cohort experiencing divorce, compared to 30 percent of both White and Hispanic children and 17 percent of Asian children.

How Physical Activity in Adolescence Influences Future Breast Cancer Risk for Black and Hispanic Girls

“[Black and Hispanic women] not only have been historically underrepresented in studies, but they face higher risks of developing breast cancer at younger ages and of experiencing more aggressive subtypes,” said Columbia University's Rebecca Khem, lead author of a new study revealing higher levels of physical activity in adolescence could lower girls' future breast cancer risk.

Federal Commission Reports on the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Black Boys in the United States

“Education was meant to be a gateway to opportunity, not a sorting mechanism that determines who is punished and who is protected,” said Mark Spencer of the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. “Our findings show that too many Black boys are still denied fairness at the very start of their educational journey.”

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Quote of the Week

“You can’t do the science if the people most affected aren’t at the table.”

Robert W. Turner II,
associate professor in the department of population health sciences at Duke University, lamenting on the lack of Black participation in Alzheimer’s and dementia research studies

Statistic of the Week

$1,231
Median weekly earnings in 2025 of White full-time wage and salary workers
$986
Median weekly earnings in 2025 of Black full-time wage and salary workers

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Popular Categories

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

Tubi to Launch New Channel Showcasing HBCU Filmmakers

Shelia Eldrige, an alumna of Howard University, recently collaborated with Tubi to launch the “HBCU First Look” channel, which will showcase films made by HBCU students and alumni.

In Memoriam: Gerald Deas, 1931-2026

Dr. Deas earned his medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, where he was one of three African Americans in his graduating class. He later spent several decades teaching preventative medicine at the university.

Research Finds Washington, D.C. Has the Highest Racial Wealth Gap in the United States

In our nation's capital, White people earn about 64 percent more than Black people. Compared to White residents, Black residents of Washington, D.C. have a 374 percent higher poverty rate, are 61 percent less likely to have a bachelor's degree, and are 263 percent more likely to be unemployed.

Loren J. Blanchard Appointed President of California State University, Long Beach

Dr. Blanchard has served as president of the University of Houston-Downtown for the past five years. He is slated to assume the presidency of California State University, Long Beach on May 1.

Federal Data Shows Significantly Higher Divorce Rates Among Parents of Black Children

Nearly one-third of Americans born between 1988 and 1993 experience their parents' divorce in childhood. However, the impact of divorce is not spread evenly across racial groups, with 45 percent of Black children in this cohort experiencing divorce, compared to 30 percent of both White and Hispanic children and 17 percent of Asian children.

Tougaloo College Announces Three Finalists for President

Historically Black Tougaloo College in Mississippi has announced a field of three finalists to become the fifteenth president of the educational institution. In March, a candidate is expected to be chosen to become president.

How Physical Activity in Adolescence Influences Future Breast Cancer Risk for Black and Hispanic Girls

“[Black and Hispanic women] not only have been historically underrepresented in studies, but they face higher risks of developing breast cancer at younger ages and of experiencing more aggressive subtypes,” said Columbia University's Rebecca Khem, lead author of a new study revealing higher levels of physical activity in adolescence could lower girls' future breast cancer risk.

Annice Yarber-Allen Named Provost of Albany State University

Originally trained as a social worker, Dr. Yarber-Allen has worked in higher education for over two decades. Her prior experience includes academic leadership roles with Auburn University at Montgomery and Columbus State University.

Barber-Scotia College Has “Completely Run Out of Money”

Chris V. Rey, president of Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina, recently announced that the HBCU has “completely run out of money.” Employees at the college, including President Rey, will not receive a paycheck for the month of January.

Three Black Scholars Who Have Been Assigned New Roles

Tennessee State University's Learotha Williams, Jr. is the new Davidson County Historian, Tia-Simone Gardner was awarded tenure at Macalaser College in Minnesota, and Jonli Tunstall was appointed associate vice provost of student diversity and director of the Academic Advancement Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Harris-Stowe State University to Construct a New $62 Million STEM Center

“This new building is going to give our students the opportunity to work in brand-new labs, using brand-new equipment that’s being used in the industry today,” said Freddie Wills, vice president for STEM initiatives and research partnerships at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis.

Antoinette Jackson Honored by the American Historical Association

Dr. Jackson, professor and chair of the anthropology department at the University of South Florida, was honored for her work to recover and restore Black cemeteries. As founder and director of the Black Cemetery Network, she has been able to retrieve a rich but forgotten history of Black cemeteries as an integral part of Black life in the United States.

The University of the District of Columbia Launches New School of Education and Learning Sciences

“The School of Education and Learning Sciences aligns squarely with our priority to drive economic and social impact across the District,” said UDC President Maurice D. Edington. “This moment represents our roots while advancing our responsibility as the city’s public university.”

Five African Americans Selected for Administrative Roles at Universities

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to [email protected].

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.

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College President Monica J. Posey Announces Retirement

Monica J. Posey was named president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in 2016, making her the first African American woman president of a major educational institution in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. She will retire from the college in August, following over three decades of administrative service.

Seven Competencies for HBCU Leadership: Key Habits in Self-Development

Whether a CEO or university president, having key skills, habits, practices, or competencies are necessary to guide the organization and provide the leadership to attain desired goals.

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.

Clemson University’s Roy Jones to Retire in June

A Clemson faculty member since 2003, Dr. Jones is known for his leadership with the Call Me MiSTER program, a teacher recruitment and retention initiative that seeks to increase the number of teachers in hard-to-staff schools. He first joined the program while teaching at historically Black Claflin University, before bringing the program with him to Clemson.

In Memoriam: Awotunde Judyie Ella Al-Bilali

Professor Al-Bilal was the first Black woman to earn the rank of full professor in the department of theater at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was also affiliated with the Honors Program and the W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies.

Federal Commission Reports on the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Black Boys in the United States

“Education was meant to be a gateway to opportunity, not a sorting mechanism that determines who is punished and who is protected,” said Mark Spencer of the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. “Our findings show that too many Black boys are still denied fairness at the very start of their educational journey.”

Fort Valley State University President Paul A. Jones Announces Upcoming Retirement

“As I look toward the conclusion of my presidency, I do so with confidence in Fort Valley State’s future,” said Dr. Jones. ”This confidence comes from knowing the strength of the people who sustain this institution and the clarity of the mission that continues to guide us.”

Joint Center Report Finds Significantly High Unemployment Rate Among Black Americans

“Regression is not destiny. But neither is progress automatic,” writes Joint Center chief of staff Monica Mitchell. “The path from signs of a Black recession to genuine economic security requires confronting the structural barriers this report documents.”

Nannette C. Turner to Lead the College of Health Professions at Mercer University

Dr. Turner currently serves as executive associate dean of Mercer University's College of Health Professions. A faculty member for nearly two decades, she has over 25 years of experience as public practitioner in Texas and Georgia.

All Recent Posts

Tubi to Launch New Channel Showcasing HBCU Filmmakers

Shelia Eldrige, an alumna of Howard University, recently collaborated with Tubi to launch the “HBCU First Look” channel, which will showcase films made by HBCU students and alumni.

In Memoriam: Gerald Deas, 1931-2026

Dr. Deas earned his medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, where he was one of three African Americans in his graduating class. He later spent several decades teaching preventative medicine at the university.

Research Finds Washington, D.C. Has the Highest Racial Wealth Gap in the United States

In our nation's capital, White people earn about 64 percent more than Black people. Compared to White residents, Black residents of Washington, D.C. have a 374 percent higher poverty rate, are 61 percent less likely to have a bachelor's degree, and are 263 percent more likely to be unemployed.

Loren J. Blanchard Appointed President of California State University, Long Beach

Dr. Blanchard has served as president of the University of Houston-Downtown for the past five years. He is slated to assume the presidency of California State University, Long Beach on May 1.

Federal Data Shows Significantly Higher Divorce Rates Among Parents of Black Children

Nearly one-third of Americans born between 1988 and 1993 experience their parents' divorce in childhood. However, the impact of divorce is not spread evenly across racial groups, with 45 percent of Black children in this cohort experiencing divorce, compared to 30 percent of both White and Hispanic children and 17 percent of Asian children.

Tougaloo College Announces Three Finalists for President

Historically Black Tougaloo College in Mississippi has announced a field of three finalists to become the fifteenth president of the educational institution. In March, a candidate is expected to be chosen to become president.

How Physical Activity in Adolescence Influences Future Breast Cancer Risk for Black and Hispanic Girls

“[Black and Hispanic women] not only have been historically underrepresented in studies, but they face higher risks of developing breast cancer at younger ages and of experiencing more aggressive subtypes,” said Columbia University's Rebecca Khem, lead author of a new study revealing higher levels of physical activity in adolescence could lower girls' future breast cancer risk.

Annice Yarber-Allen Named Provost of Albany State University

Originally trained as a social worker, Dr. Yarber-Allen has worked in higher education for over two decades. Her prior experience includes academic leadership roles with Auburn University at Montgomery and Columbus State University.

Barber-Scotia College Has “Completely Run Out of Money”

Chris V. Rey, president of Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina, recently announced that the HBCU has “completely run out of money.” Employees at the college, including President Rey, will not receive a paycheck for the month of January.

Three Black Scholars Who Have Been Assigned New Roles

Tennessee State University's Learotha Williams, Jr. is the new Davidson County Historian, Tia-Simone Gardner was awarded tenure at Macalaser College in Minnesota, and Jonli Tunstall was appointed associate vice provost of student diversity and director of the Academic Advancement Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Harris-Stowe State University to Construct a New $62 Million STEM Center

“This new building is going to give our students the opportunity to work in brand-new labs, using brand-new equipment that’s being used in the industry today,” said Freddie Wills, vice president for STEM initiatives and research partnerships at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis.

Antoinette Jackson Honored by the American Historical Association

Dr. Jackson, professor and chair of the anthropology department at the University of South Florida, was honored for her work to recover and restore Black cemeteries. As founder and director of the Black Cemetery Network, she has been able to retrieve a rich but forgotten history of Black cemeteries as an integral part of Black life in the United States.

The University of the District of Columbia Launches New School of Education and Learning Sciences

“The School of Education and Learning Sciences aligns squarely with our priority to drive economic and social impact across the District,” said UDC President Maurice D. Edington. “This moment represents our roots while advancing our responsibility as the city’s public university.”

Five African Americans Selected for Administrative Roles at Universities

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to [email protected].

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.

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College President Monica J. Posey Announces Retirement

Monica J. Posey was named president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in 2016, making her the first African American woman president of a major educational institution in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. She will retire from the college in August, following over three decades of administrative service.

Seven Competencies for HBCU Leadership: Key Habits in Self-Development

Whether a CEO or university president, having key skills, habits, practices, or competencies are necessary to guide the organization and provide the leadership to attain desired goals.

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.

Clemson University’s Roy Jones to Retire in June

A Clemson faculty member since 2003, Dr. Jones is known for his leadership with the Call Me MiSTER program, a teacher recruitment and retention initiative that seeks to increase the number of teachers in hard-to-staff schools. He first joined the program while teaching at historically Black Claflin University, before bringing the program with him to Clemson.