One million voices for Black learner success
Everyone deserves access to relevant, quality, and affordable post-secondary education that helps them achieve their career goals, builds generational prosperity, and strengthens communities. But for Black learners, that education hasn’t been accessible like it is for their peers. Across the country community college enrollment among Black students has dropped 44% since 2011. For those who are enrolled, 1 in 5 Black students across all postsecondary institutions report feeling discriminated against. 80% of Black Americans believe college is unaffordable.
To address these disparities and ensure Black learners have what they need to excel, our schools and laws need to change.
From community colleges to four-year private universities to other credential programs, Black learners — like all learners — deserve postsecondary education options that ensure the time and energy they commit will leave them better off than when they started.
Tell the policymakers and higher education leaders in your community and across the country: it’s time to speak up and level up for Black learner success!
(Are you a policymaker or higher education leader ready to speak up? Get connected with us here.)
Add your name to the Million Signatures petition for Black learner success
Higher education leaders, state and federal policymakers, and community and business leaders:
Black learner success leads to stronger communities, educational equity, and infinite possibilities. But historically, access to higher education and economic prosperity hasn’t been available to everyone. It’s long past time for that to change.
Black learners deserve unapologetic leaders who share in the responsibility and promise of their excellence, and who will lift up policies, resources, and decisions that make it possible for all Black learners to succeed in their academic and career goals.
We need local and federal policymakers to invest in data, research, and concrete strategies to make postsecondary education more relevant to the lived experiences of all learners, creating stronger pathways to economic agency.
We need colleges and universities to commit to budgets, hiring, and policies that reflect the needs of all learners, enrolling and graduating more Black learners ready for family-sustaining jobs in fulfilling careers.
We need community and business leaders to listen to Black communities and develop action and accountability plans that direct their influence and resources to promote Black learner success to benefit entire communities.
We need Black learner success!
