This weekend, many alumni of CIAA schools are in Charlotte, NC for the annual basketball tournament…and associated parties. But while the parties seemingly won’t stop, if the $$$ isn’t right, the education will. Many Historically Black Colleges and Universities are financially under the gun, yet somehow during CIAA weekend, about $30 million is spent in Charlotte, mostly by alumni with disposable income.
North Carolina is home to 11 HBCU’s. As of the last electoral cycle, North Carolina is now also a Red state. By it’s recent actions, the UNC Board Of Governors seems to have little use for HBCU’s going forward. Recently, a bill was submitted to close HBCU Elizabeth City State University. Although not successful, it’s a clear indication of where the thinking regarding HBCU’s is headed.
While many HBCU alumni will be making the cash rain down on Charlotte this weekend, a few years from now (or sooner), UNC Board of Governors will be making it rain pages, ripped out of textbooks that used to be in HBCU libraries…This is a very real possibility #TurnUp #ClosedDown
Follow me @Chillerspeak
