On April 23, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at promoting excellence and innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This Executive Order establishes a White House Initiative on HBCUs, focusing on enhancing these institutions’ capacity to provide quality education, foster private-sector partnerships, and improve workforce preparation in high-demand sectors such as technology and healthcare. Additionally, the Initiative seeks to address barriers to federal funding and enhance competitiveness in research and development funding for HBCUs.

The Initiative will convene an annual White House Summit on HBCUs, promoting collaboration and addressing critical priorities for their success. President Trump highlighted the essential role that HBCUs play in creating opportunities and driving economic mobility for American students, noting that nearly 300,000 individuals attend HBCUs each year. The economic impact of these institutions is significant, generating $16.5 billion annually and supporting over 136,000 jobs across the nation.

Furthermore, the Executive Order builds on commitments made during President Trump’s first term, including relocating the Federal HBCU Initiative to the White House for improved oversight and securing permanent annual funding for HBCUs through the FUTURE Act. Other actions include significant funding for scholarships, research, and hurricane-related relief for HBCUs. Through these efforts, the Administration aims to elevate HBCUs as centers of educational excellence and economic opportunity.

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