The Impact of Brown v. Board of Education on HBCUs, and Higher Education Access

• In Event: Research, Remedy, and Repair . . . Lessons From the 70th Anniversary of Brown

Abstract

This article explores the impact of the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, on higher education access, with a specific focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Drawing upon historical, legal, and social science research, the article examines the historical context surrounding the case, its implications for desegregation in higher education, and the subsequent challenges and successes faced by HBCUs in fostering equitable access. The landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, despite focusing on segregation in the K-12 setting, holds an important place in U.S. higher education, particularly in its profound impact on access and opportunity. In this article, I explore the impact of the influential case on higher education, with a focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). HBCUs were created in the North shortly before the Civil War and in the South, shortly afterward (Anderson, 1988). These institutions began in old army barracks, churches, and on land provided by the federal government’s Freedman’s Bureau (Anderson, 1988; Gasman, 2007). Although most HBCUs began with a curriculum focused on industrial education and the preparation of teachers and clergy, it would not be long before students would demand a liberal arts education (Allen & Jewell, 2002; Allen et al., 2007; Anderson, 1988). Through protest and alumni support, students acquired an education that provided a foundation for critical thinking (Anderson, 1988; Gasman, 2007; Gilpin & Gasman, 2003; Richardson, 1980). In the midst of this learning environment – one that is responsible for the creation of the Black middle class as we currently know it – HBCUs suffered from unequal funding and an utter lack of any kind of financial or infrastructure resources to serve Black students (Adams & Tucker, 2022; Harris, 2021; Nathenson et al, 2019). By examining the historical context surrounding Brown v. Board of Education, understanding its significance for higher education access, and exploring the role of HBCUs in the post-Brown era, I share the complexities of this historic legal decision. HBCUs faced unique challenges and opportunities in the post-Brown era. These institutions, historically established to provide education to Black students during legal segregation, found themselves navigating a changing landscape that called their very existence into question, and often continues to even in the current day.

Author

• Marybeth Gasman, Rutgers University