There’s been a lot of talk lately about what schools our children should attend.
The NAACP did something that many have been doing for what seems like forever — calling for Black athletes to boycott schools and states where Blacks are disenfranchised.
There are parents who say they want to give their children, the best education and the best opportunity for them to make it to the pros.
I can think of a number of men and women who have become professional athletes, and they went to HBCUs.
I’m glad our children are able to go to almost any school they want to. History tells us that wasn’t always the case.
I’m saddened that some Blacks don’t even consider HBCUs as an option.
Now I often hear folks saying their children don’t need to go to all Black schools because the world isn’t all Black and their children need to learn how to live and survive in a white environment.
I went to an HBCU (Historically Black College/University), and a PWI (predominantly white institution).
It was a wise choice to get my undergirding at Florida A&M University, where I was told that I would be prepared for success anywhere when I walked across that stage.
Now people criticize HBCUs, talking about the lack of funding and resources. What is surprising to me is that some of our homes and neighborhoods are no better than where we are housed on campuses, yet we look down on HBCUs.
I’m not criticizing or trying to tear someone down because of their choices but I am saying I want us to look at the decisions we make and whether we are only looking out for ourselves and our families? If you’re so good, guess what they’ll find you at an HBCU. If they can find great athletes and scholars at the center of the Motherland, they can find you at a UNCF school.
You say you want to be on television?
I understand.
I get it, and that’s why I spend so much time trying to raise money to give back to our institutions so they can better serve our students. That’s why I invite you out to the Don’t Believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-a-thon on Saturday, June 27 at 6 PM.
Since 1995 we have been raising money and when we say we’re raising money, we have the proof. We have the receipts.
Just ask students who participated in Senator Royce West’s Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program. Ask the students who have gone to FAMU, Northwestern, Howard, Clark Atlanta, Paul Quinn, and others. Try previewing Huston-Tillotson, Lane, Morgan State, Tougaloo, Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman, or Texas Southern.
I could go on and on about the thousands of dollars that have been awarded to students who wanted to go to school. Going to college should not be a “want” that goes unfulfilled.
Help me help others; if you can’t come send some ammunition, send some dollars.
Just click on the link below and invest in our future: “https://bit.ly/DBTHBowlathon2026”
