Call of Action for HBCU’s

Let me first start off by saying that I love HBCU’s and even had the chance to attend one. This post is more so a suggestion on how to progressively move forward as a collective. To date less than 4% of physical therapists are Black and I truly believe HBCU’s could play a bigger role at increase those numbers. Let’s start this conversation with standardized test. If anyone understands how cultural bias the GRE is should be HBCU’s right? I will name all of the Historical Black College Universities with a physical therapy program to date.

1. University of Maryland Eastern Shore

2. Howard University

3. FAMU

4. Hampton University 

5. Tennessee State University 

6. Langston University 

7. Alabama State University 

8. Winston-Salem State University 

So if anyone understands, they should, right? Well, here’s the problem. We all know the HBCU’s were created due to Blacks not attending white colleges during segregation. Well, fast forward, HBCU’s have the right to accept anyone into the college regardless of race, gender, or sex. Why do I mention this? Well, because it’s relevant. You take a look at the doctor of physical therapy class at Tennessee State University, and I can guarantee you’ll count less than five black people amongst a class of 30. Ironic right? A school meant for Black people, yet Black people aren’t the majority. This got me too. Hears the truth of the matter. Because PT school is competitive, the white applicants would apply to HBCU’s as a backup plan if they don’t get into their PWI.And because they had average GPA’s they didn’t get into their school of choice but were able to get into an HBCU because they were not seen as average amongst their applicants but as superior. Thus leading to the shift of more White Americans at HBCU’s than Blacks

My proposal is for this to stop! Out of the 250 accredited PT schools, you all can afford to leave our eight schools alone. We can not! The first thing that should be done is eliminate the GRE. Secondly, create more programs at HBCU’s and hire Black Professors ( you would think this goes without saying but check out the faculty at the above schools, I warned you).

HBCU’s I hold you accountable, and I want you all to do better. When I look at the CAPTE website, 2 of the programs listed above are currently on probation. To uphold the historic value seen in HBCU’s, I think that we start with ourselves. Take a long look at how you’re operating your program and think, are you doing the bare minimum or going above and beyond to give these students the quality education they all deserve. You all have the potential, but you have to decide if you will stay accredited. But remember, when one HBCU fails, we all fail, so hold everyone accountable and DO BETTER your students deserve it.