State lawmakers, Huston-Tillotson students launch Texas HBCU Legislative Caucus

Megan Menchaca, Austin American-Statesman
·3 min read

State lawmakers and Huston-Tillotson University students announced Thursday their intention to form the Texas Historically Black Colleges and Universities Legislative Caucus to help provide the state's HBCUs with the "necessary resources and support to thrive."

HBCU students helped organize the caucus, which hopes to assemble state lawmakers from both the Senate and House who represent, attended or support HBCUs and obtain funding for them "commensurate with the role they have played in developing the prosperity" of Texas.

The caucus also plans to raise awareness of the issues HBCUs face, work to improve those schools and "build a network of supporters." It is expected to formally launch during this legislative session with executive officers, staff and a budget.

Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, speaks at a news conference Thursday to announce the new Texas Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus. "This is from the bottom up," said Jones, commending the HBCU students who worked to organize the caucus. "I believe it's important for people to know how important HBCUs are."
Rep. Jolanda Jones, D-Houston, speaks at a news conference Thursday to announce the new Texas Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus. "This is from the bottom up," said Jones, commending the HBCU students who worked to organize the caucus. "I believe it's important for people to know how important HBCUs are."

"Many students who attend (HBCUs) struggle to juggle classes and work schedules in order to maintain themselves financially," said Fannie Akingbala, a leader with Central Texas Interfaith. "These institutions, down through the years, have stretched every dollar to remain viable. We truly believe that the creation of this caucus will contribute immensely to the maintenance, growth and ongoing development of these historical institutions."

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Rep. Ron Reynolds, chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, said the state is going in the wrong direction when it comes to proposals targeting diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education, and he stressed the importance of investing in HBCUs to help educate Black, Hispanic and first-generation students.

Gov. Greg Abbott is “trying to turn back the clock from some of the progress that has been made in this state to make sure that many other institutions of higher learning had diverse faculty and staff and student populations,” said Reynolds, D-Missouri City. “We understand that (anti-DEI legislation) likely will (pass), so it's going to be even more important to have strong HBCUs.”

"We are going to continue our fight for diversity, equity and inclusion," Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, said Thursday. "We are going to start truly advocating for HBCUs, and this caucus does that."
"We are going to continue our fight for diversity, equity and inclusion," Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, said Thursday. "We are going to start truly advocating for HBCUs, and this caucus does that."

Huston-Tillotson students said that HBCUs have an economic impact of $1.3 billion in the state, and an “immeasurable” effect on the lives of the students who attend them. They said they hope lawmakers can provide more state funding to HBCUs to further serve students like them.

"With the formation of this caucus, we're aiming to give HBCUs the recognition they deserve, shining more light on our schools and bringing awareness to the challenges we face," Huston-Tillotson University student Asia Mueller said. "I'm hopeful for the future of HBCUs in Texas. I'm hopeful for the students who are just like me, but most importantly, I'm hopeful for what is to come out of our HBCU caucus."

There are nine public and private HBCUs in Texas, including Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University and Huston-Tillotson University, which is Austin's oldest higher education institution. Reynolds said the caucus would need to “be creative” on finding ways to get more money to HBCUs in Texas to help more students graduate and provide the schools with more support.

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"The formation of the Texas HBCU Legislative Caucus is a significant milestone for our HBCU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters," said Melva Wallace, president and CEO of Huston-Tillotson, in a statement. "This caucus signifies a commitment to nurture leadership and excellence in higher education and celebrates the essential role Texas HBCUs play in building a shared Texas future."

"We are the face of the future," Huston-Tillotson University junior and computer science major Asia Mueller said at the HBCU caucus news conference.
"We are the face of the future," Huston-Tillotson University junior and computer science major Asia Mueller said at the HBCU caucus news conference.

Reynolds said Texas Southern University is one of 11 HBCUs that the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has given R2 status, indicating “high research activity.” The school could achieve the prestigious R1 status if state lawmakers gave it more money, said Reynolds, a Texas Southern alumnus.

“As the ninth largest economy in the world, we have a $33 billion surplus and over $15 billion in our state's rainy day fund. We find ways to support whatever priorities we choose to," Reynolds said. "If we make the necessary investments, then trust me, there is a way to do it.”

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Legislature: Lawmakers, students launch HBCU Legislative Caucus