Historical and Scholarly Contributions of HBCUs to Criminology

• In Event: Advancing Justice Education: The HBCU Criminal Justice Workgroup's Mission and Strategic Initiatives

Abstract

This scholarly analysis examines the historical significance and intellectual contributions of race and justice scholarship within historically Black institutions. The presentation traces HBCUs' substantial and often underrecognized contributions to criminological theory, research methodologies, and pedagogical approaches, with particular attention to the critical intersection of policy development, mentorship models, and academic publishing. The discussion contextualizes the importance of institutional legacy, highlights the transformative role HBCUs have played in shaping contemporary race and crime studies, and presents an evidence-based case for continued investment in research infrastructure, faculty development programs, and scholarly networks grounded in the distinctive HBCU intellectual tradition.

Author

• Helen Taylor Greene, HBCU Criminal Justice Workgroup