We are unapologetically lifting up Black learner voices
Join us in leveraging value for every Black Learner
The barriers to college access and opportunity are systemic. The solutions should be, too.
Since 2011, Black student enrollments in colleges have been steadily declining, especially at community colleges, which have been critical access points due to their affordability and open access.
Over the past 20 years, the nation has lost 300,000 Black learners from community colleges, with participation rates among Black students now lower than 20 years ago. This decline began long before the COVID-19 pandemic. When considering all higher education sectors, about 600,000 Black learners have disappeared, threatening both their personal economic success and the prosperity of their communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these declines, impacting students' health, safety, and economic security. We believe now is the time to coalesce around systemic change to support Black learner excellence and success — and ultimately benefit all students in their educational journey.
EXPLORE
It’s Time to Get REAL: An interactive playbook to demand Black learner excellence
Learn how to uphold practices and policies that reinforce the value of higher education for Black learners. This tool is for everyone who wants to elevate Black student voices. Each stakeholder group plays a crucial role in increasing access and outcomes for Black learners.
State policymakers have law-making and budget authority to bolster accountability, affordability, transparency, and consumer protection, and they subsidize institutions where most Black learners enroll.
LEARN MORE ➔Federal policymakers have authority and funding to address affordability, strengthen data and delivery systems, oversee accreditation, and incentivize states and institutions to bolster foundational policies and target support to Black learners.
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Higher Education Institutions are on the front lines serving Black learners with campus policies and practices that promote access and success, including a focus on increasing transparency, improving the value proposition, and cultivating a sense of belonging.
LEARN MORE ➔Community and business leaders are invaluable partners to advocate for Black learner excellence, provide work experiences, connect learners to human services, and foster community through mentorship.
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EXPLORE THE PUBLICATIONDownload the Level UP Playbook as a PDF
This playbook calls on postsecondary institutions, state and federal policymakers, and community and business leaders to uphold practices and policies that reinforce the value of higher education for Black learners.
Our Commitment to Black Learner Excellence
Join leaders from across the U.S. in our national call to action
We are proud to support efforts to LEVEL UP and Get REAL to advance Black learner excellence and call our colleagues in the field to action to share in the responsibility and promise for Black learner excellence.
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We call to action states, a great source of innovation-led transformation in this nation, to directly invest in concrete strategies to make postsecondary education more relevant to the lived experiences of learners and create stronger pathways to economic agency.
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We call to action leaders in communities across this nation to examine the data, listen to Black learners, and develop action and accountability plans to ensure policies and strategies are indeed meeting the needs of learners and strengthening communities. This includes a call to companies of all sizes to direct their leadership, influence, and resources to this shared agenda promoting Black learner excellence in a way that benefits us all.
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We call to action American philanthropy to join us as unapologetic leaders for Black learner excellence and support, starting first with targeted investment in an intentional playbook that moves us from conversation to action and ultimately reflecting our common commitments with funding priorities that enable us all to take responsibility to LEVEL UP and get REAL.
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We call to action the federal government to focus its capacity to collect data, produce research and elevate priorities through policy, regulation and investment in a postsecondary education system that values all learners, and unapologetically serves Black learners well.
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We call to action our nation’s colleges and universities to examine what it means to be a Black-serving institution, with budgets that reflect the commitment to enrolling and graduating more Black Americans ready for the nation’s family-sustaining jobs in fulfilling careers.
THE NATIONAL LEVEL UP WEBINAR
Insights from higher ed leaders in support of Black learner excellence and success
Watch the National LEVEL UP webinar, held September 12, 2024, and hosted by Dr. Keith Curry, President of Compton College and Chair of LEVEL UP. This powerful conversation featured an expert panel discussing actionable strategies for improving Black enrollment, retention and success in higher education.
Sponsored by Equity Avengers, Achieving the Dream, Gallup, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, the Institute for Education Leadership, and HCM Strategists.
