What are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)?
Following the Civil War (1861-1865), Black students were generally denied admission to traditionally white institutions. Schools of higher education were created in order to provide Black Americans access to a full education. The first schools were founded in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Before this time, education for African American students was virtually nonexistent.
These institutions are now known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Most HBCUs were started by free African Americans or by those who supported philanthropy in the mid-19th century.
On August 8, 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed Executive Order 12232, (EO) which directed the Secretary of Education to “implement a Federal initiative designed to achieve a significant increase in the participation by historically Black colleges and universities in Federally sponsored programs.” The order specified that the “…initiative shall seek to identify, reduce, and eliminate barriers which may have unfairly resulted in reduced participation in, and reduced benefits from, federally sponsored programs.”
Changes have been made to the EO with each subsequent Administration, and every U.S. President has signed such an EO.
ACHP Support for HBCUs and the WHI
The ACHP follows President Joe Biden’s policy to “advance educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity for Black Americans and communities from early childhood until their chosen career.”
Additionally, the National Historic Preservation Act requires that the ACHP inform federal, state, and local governments, the public, and individuals on the work of the ACHP; as well as encourage training, education, public interest, and participation in the field of historic preservation.
The ACHP is honored to be a member of the Interagency Working Group (IWG) (representatives of federal agencies and departments) to help advance and coordinate work throughout the federal government to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs.
The Arts, History, Humanities, and Culture Cluster
The ACHP actively participates in the interagency cluster, bringing together the Department of Education, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Library of Congress, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Cluster presents sessions at HBCU Week conferences, hosts webinars on various topics, and provides a newsletter with resources and announcements of interest to HBCUs and their students.
Sign up for the Cluster Newsletter.
2020 HBCU Week Sessions
Discover Your Place in the Creative Economy
ACHP Exhibits at HBCU Week
The ACHP regularly attends the HBCU Week conference, presented by the White House Initiative. The ACHP staffs an informational booth to connect with HBCU leadership, faculty, and staff.
ACHP HBCU Outreach
Cultural Heritage in the Forest Internship Program -- The ACHP partners with the USDA Forest Service to provide a three and a half week internship to HBCU students interested in historic preservation that takes them to two National Forests and Washington, D.C. The internship introduces the students to careers in the Forest Service's Heritage Program.
ACHP, USDA Forest Service Partner in Cultural Resources Management Internship for HBCU Students
ACHP, Forest Service, and Lincoln University Partner on Inaugural Cultural Heritage in the Forest
Preserve the Past, Build for the Future Webinar Series -- The ACHP presents a webinar series geared toward HBCU students to connect them with historic preservation career resources.
Preservation in Practice -- An internship program in partnership with the National Park Service and National Trust for Historic Preservation for HBCU architecture students
2019
Morgan State University Students Participate In Hands-On Historic Preservation Training Projects
Tuskegee University Students Participate In Hands-on Historic Preservation Training Projects
2018
Contact the ACHP
401 F Street NW, Suite 308
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-517-1480
Fax: 202-517-6381
achp@achp.gov
Banner photo at the top of the page: Tuskegee University campus, Alabama