Boston City Council Vice President Leads the Charge

Boston City Council Vice President Brian Worrell is spearheading the initiative. According to The Boston Herald, Worrell recently called for a public hearing to explore bringing an HBCU to Boston—a city that was once a leader in Black education during the 19th century.

“An HBCU presence would provide role models for current Black students by showing them a tangible pathway to success,” Worrell said during a council meeting. “Boston led the way in educating Black students in the first half of the 19th century, with the opening of the Abiel Smith School. We need to rediscover that trailblazing spirit.”

Worrell’s proposal is closely tied to Boston’s Building Bridges HBCU program, which he describes as a direct response to the recent national pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Growing Demand for HBCUs in the North

The hearing order notes that while there are more than 100 HBCUs in the U.S., most are located in the South—a reflection of their historical role in countering Jim Crow laws. Today, the need for culturally responsive educational spaces is growing, particularly in areas like Boston where Black students have limited access to HBCU environments.

Worrell’s office told The Boston Herald that updates on the city’s efforts to attract an HBCU partner will be shared this fall. Boston Public Schools Chief of Student Support Cory McCarthy emphasized the increasing interest, saying, “The appetite for an HBCU has grown immensely within the last five years.”

He added, “Bringing an HBCU to Boston would further showcase the city’s commitment to building an educational ecosystem that values, supports, and elevates Black students.”

The Impact of HBCUs Nationwide

Worrell highlighted that despite making up just 3% of U.S. higher education institutions, HBCUs produce a disproportionate number of Black professionals:

• 40% of Black engineers and members of Congress
• 50% of Black lawyers and doctors
• 70% of Black dentists

These statistics underscore the enduring importance and success of HBCUs in advancing Black excellence.

California’s HBCU Expansion as a Model

Boston’s vision aligns with similar efforts on the West Coast. In 2024, Huston-Tillotson University, based in Austin, Texas, announced plans to open a satellite campus in California. However, the university’s California branch is not expected to open until August 2025, pending accreditation approval from the state.

According to the university’s website, the California campus will initially offer coursework aligned with the university’s Liberal Studies requirements and plans to fully establish a branch campus by August 2025.

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ARLINGTON, Texas — Huston-Tillotson University (a private HBCU in Austin, Texas) student-athlete Zech Robichaux was one of five college students selected for the Charley Pride MLB Fellowship Program Class of 2024, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation announced.
 
Robichaux, a senior from San Antonio, Texas, concluded his HBCU baseball career with the Rams in 2024. A three-year letter winner with the Rams, he hit .311 with four home runs and 28 RBIs during the 2024 season.
 
In its fourth year, the Charley Pride Fellowship Program will again see five college students from diverse backgrounds spend their summer working in the Texas Rangers front office for the unique internship.
 
Created in honor of the late country music star and close friend of the Texas Rangers organization, Charley Pride, the program aims to build a launching pad for students from diverse backgrounds looking to gain experience in a Major League Baseball front office.

 
The 2024 Charley Pride Fellows were selected after an extensive application and interview process by the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Fellowship Selection Committee. They began their paid internships at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, May 28, with the program concluding on Friday, August 2.
 
The Foundation will hire, train, and support the five fellows as they rotate through three front-office departments. The students will gain valuable skills during the 10-week program to equip them in their professional endeavors.
 
The Class of 2024 has identified baseball operations, business analytics, business partnerships, legal, marketing, REV Entertainment, and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation as the departments in which they will rotate while employed this summer.
 
Roland Parrish, a prominent Dallas businessman and philanthropist, and his Parrish Charitable Foundation are partnering with the Rangers Foundation in the Charley Pride Fellowship Program for the fourth consecutive year.
 
Over the first three years of the MLB fellowship program, 15 individuals have participated, receiving extensive experience in the baseball and business departments of the Rangers’ organization.

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The AAUL HBCU Basketball Invitational seeks to elevate HBCU sports as a key driver of sports entertainment, but its impact extends beyond the court. “This invitational is the first of the exciting programming we want to develop as part of the AAUL HBCU Live Xperience,” said Quincy Dunlap, President and CEO, Austin Area Urban League. “We are committed to creating programs that make a discernible change in our community and continue to drive support to HBCU academic and sporting programs.”

HBCU College Fair

In addition to the games, the AAUL will host its Full Court Prep for Success youth program, College Fair and Career Expo. The youth development initiative will provide personal development skills for underserved boys and girls, ages 10-16, in cities across Central Texas. The college and career fair will feature a host of colleges and universities to engage with prospective students and top employers who are interested in diverse recruitment opportunities. These efforts will bring together various employers, experienced professionals, community-based organizations, and job seekers under one roof to deliver a best-in-class experience.

“While one team may walk away with the top prize, it’s our hope that everyone who attends, participates, or supports the tournament walks away feeling like a champion,” said Mario Davis, Special Initiatives Coordinator, Austin Area Urban League. “We’re thrilled to be a part of this.

About Austin Area Urban League (AAUL)

Founded in 1977, the Austin Area Urban League is a nonprofit organization aimed at enriching the lives of citizens within the greater Central Texas Region. The Austin Area Urban League is one of more than 90 affiliates of the National Urban League providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of thousands in the Central Texas region. Aligning with the Empowerment pillars of the National Urban League, the Austin Area Urban League seeks to meet the needs of underserved populations in the Austin and Central Texas region by focusing on programming and services in the areas of Education and Youth Development, Workforce and Career Development, Health and Wellness, Housing and Community Development, and Justice and Advocacy.

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