ATLANTA – State Representatives Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) recently held a press conference to demand increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Their call for increased funding comes after U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack sent letters to the governors of 16 states, including Georgia, asking each to raise funding for HBCUs.
“This call to action is not just about education, it’s about equity, opportunity and the future of countless students attending Georgia’s HBCUs” said Rep. Scott. “HBCUs and other land-grant universities across the country have missed out on more than $12 billion in funding over the last three decades. This inequity cannot continue to be ignored. I was proud to join my colleagues as we pledged to demand adequate funding for Georgia’s HBCUs and bring justice to their students.”
“My college career began at a HBCU at Savannah State University, and it was an honor to stand alongside my fellow legislators, Rep. Imani Barnes, Rep. Sandra Scott and State Senator Gail Davenport, who are all proud graduates of HBCUs,” said Rep. Davis. “It’s disheartening to note that one HBCU in Georgia is owed a staggering amount exceeding $600 million, a debt spanning three decades. To address this pressing issue of underfunding, a formal demand letter has been delivered to the governor of Georgia, the chancellor of the University System of Georgia and the chairman of the Board of Regents, urging them to take a corrective action within a 10-day timeframe before further legal action is taken.”
“While HBCUs have been bastions of valued excellence and resilience, I am concerned that the persistent inequities and disparities relating to accessing resources and withholding funding for these institutions will deeply impact students attending public HBCUs in Georgia for generations,” said Rep. Schofield. “I am hopeful that our state will do the right thing past, present and in the future.”
As noted in the Federal HBCU Partners Act, HBCUs represent three percent of American institutions of higher education but serve more than a fifth of African American college students. The HBCU Partners Act also notes that these institutions have generated nearly $15 billion in economic impact and more than 134,000 jobs in previous years.
A video recording of the press conference may be found here.
*Editor’s note: Photos from the press conference are attached.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as the Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip. She also serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.
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