A compelling new documentary, in collaboration with U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams, shines a light on the enduring legacy and ongoing challenges facing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Titled “The Price of Excellence,” this film explores the intricate history of these vital educational institutions while emphasizing the urgent need for their protection and support.
Congresswoman Alma Adams, representing North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District, succinctly captures the essence of the documentary in its trailer. “Of all of the civil rights for which the world has struggled and fought for 500 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental,” she states. This powerful assertion underscores the importance of education as a cornerstone of civil rights and progress, especially within the African American community.
The documentary reveals a staggering truth: HBCUs have been historically underfunded for decades. Senior Fellow Dr. Denise A. Smith from The Century Foundation (TCF) has conducted exhaustive research that highlights the unequal treatment and funding of HBCUs compared to their non-HBCU counterparts. This disparity is not merely a budget issue; it reflects a systemic bias that has profound implications for the students and communities these institutions serve.
Adding urgency to the issue, the Biden administration recently addressed the funding woes facing land-grant HBCUs. In 2023, letters sent from the administration to state governors emphasized that these public institutions, many established amid the harsh realities of post-Civil War racial segregation in 1890, were owed more than $13 billion for a 30-year period. This long-neglected debt highlights the historical injustices that continue to affect the financial viability of HBCUs today.
During the Biden administration, there has been notable momentum in funding HBCUs, with a record total of over $17 billion allocated. This investment stands in stark contrast to previous administrations. While former President Trump asserted that HBCUs would not face funding cuts, his proposed budget in May notably included $64 million in cuts to Howard University, one of the most renowned HBCUs in the nation.
“Land grant HBCUs have produced world-class doctors, engineers, teachers, and business leaders with access to only a fraction of the funding of their white counterparts,” Dr. Smith articulates in the documentary’s trailer. As the film highlights, the contributions of these institutions to society are immense, resulting in transformational advancements despite persistent funding challenges.
The Century Foundation’s documentary aims to uncover the historical processes and complex data influencing endowment practices, state appropriations, and funding gaps that plague HBCUs. It presents a compelling narrative of a social institution hindered by the very biases it was established to combat. The film’s exploration of institutional challenges serves as a crucial reminder of the societal responsibility to ensure equitable education for all.
Filmed entirely on the campus of North Carolina A&T University, the documentary seeks to connect viewers with the real experiences of students, professors, and policymakers. It aims to evoke empathy and understanding by illustrating the hopes and aspirations of those navigating the landscape of HBCUs, showing that they still hold faith that one day, the grass may be as green on their side of the fence as it is anywhere else.
In addition to Congresswoman Adams, “The Price of Excellence” features a panel of notable voices, including Atlantic journalist Adam Harris, Dr. Katherine Wheatle from the Equity Research Cooperative, and historian Dr. Jelani M. Favors, who formerly taught at North Carolina A&T University and currently serves as Vice President for the Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute at the United Negro College Fund. Their insights contribute to a richer understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing HBCUs today.