Monthly Archives: October 2025

Pan-African Capital: HBCU Endowments, African American Banks, and Kenya’s Growth Story

Posted on October 17, 2025 by | 1 comment

“When HBCU endowments and African American banks act together, they stop being small players. They become a financial force that nations must reckon with.” – HBCU Money Editorial Board

In the next several decades, the fault lines of global growth will not run through New York or London but through Nairobi, Lagos, and Accra. Kenya, sitting at the intersection of East Africa’s financial corridor and global trade routes, has become a laboratory for innovation in fintech, agriculture, and infrastructure. Yet despite centuries of cultural, spiritual, and blood connections, African America remains structurally absent from this new frontier of opportunity. Our financial institutions and HBCU endowments are under-leveraged in international markets, particularly in Africa, even as Asian, European, and Middle Eastern investors carve out dominant positions. For African American financial institutions and HBCU endowments, Kenya represents more than just an emerging market. It is a strategic stage for institutional wealth-building, geopolitical leverage, and reconnecting the African Diaspora through shared prosperity. The opportunity lies not simply in making isolated investments but in creating transatlantic joint ventures that bring together capital, expertise, and institutional strategy.

Kenya is more than safari brochures and tourist postcards. Its economy has quietly matured into one of Africa’s most diversified. With a GDP of over $110 billion and growth rates consistently outperforming many global peers, Kenya is often referred to as East Africa’s economic anchor. Nairobi has developed into the region’s financial hub, hosting multinational headquarters, stock exchange operations, and a robust startup ecosystem. Agriculture remains central, with Kenya exporting coffee, tea, and horticultural products while seeking to expand into value-addition agribusiness. Technology is another frontier, with Nairobi’s “Silicon Savannah” serving as a magnet for fintech, led by the global success of M-Pesa. Rapid urbanization fuels infrastructure and real estate demand, while Kenya’s leadership in geothermal and renewable energy has made it a global model. For African American institutions, the attraction lies not only in the growth metrics but in the alignment of needs: Kenya seeks patient capital, educational partnerships, and trusted diaspora allies, while African American institutions seek diversification, higher yields, and independence from U.S.-centric markets.

Despite African America’s aggregate $1.8 trillion in consumer spending, the community’s institutional capital remains modest. Only a handful of Black-owned banks, credit unions, and venture firms exist, and most hold under $1 billion in assets. HBCU endowments combined are less than $4 billion—an amount dwarfed by single Ivy League endowments. Yet within these constraints lies enormous potential. African American financial institutions already possess the regulatory infrastructure to pool and allocate capital, while HBCU endowments, though smaller in scale, carry moral weight and symbolic capital that can unlock global partnerships. Together, these institutions can create vehicles for international deployment of African American wealth, something that has been absent throughout our history. Imagine a pooled investment fund where Howard University, Spelman College, and Florida A&M commit $25 million collectively, matched by $25 million from Black-owned banks. That $50 million fund could be deployed into Kenyan agritech ventures, renewable energy projects, or commercial real estate. The collaboration would be historic: an African Diaspora financial ecosystem investing directly in Africa’s future.

The reasons to prioritize such engagement are strategic. Diversification is one. U.S. capital markets are increasingly low-yield for small institutional investors, while African markets offer higher growth potential and uncorrelated returns. Another is first-mover advantage. Unlike European or Asian investors, African American institutions do not carry the baggage of colonial relationships, which makes trust-based partnerships more viable. Transnational investment also provides institutional leverage. Just as Jewish, Irish, and Italian communities have leveraged diaspora ties for economic and political power, African Americans can build similar networks of influence. Beyond finance, there is the educational pipeline. HBCUs can link faculty, students, and alumni into research, study abroad, and entrepreneurial ventures tied to investments in Kenya. And finally, there is legacy. These investments address the absence of transgenerational institutional wealth that has long defined the African American economic condition.

The structures to achieve this vision can be diverse. A Diaspora investment fund pooling capital from HBCU endowments, Black-owned banks, and other African American institutions could professionally manage investments in Kenya. Public-private partnerships could align capital with Kenya’s infrastructure push in transport, energy, and housing. Venture capital and startup accelerators in Nairobi could connect HBCU students with Africa’s entrepreneurial scene while generating equity returns. Real estate investment trusts, driven by Nairobi’s urbanization, could provide stable income streams. Even education-linked ventures in e-learning and vocational training could generate both profit and intellectual reciprocity.

The barriers are real but not insurmountable. Kenya requires foreign investors to comply with incorporation, licensing, and work permit laws, which demand careful navigation. Currency risk from fluctuations in the Kenyan shilling must be hedged. Information gaps are wide, with many African American institutions unfamiliar with African business environments, highlighting the need for trusted partnerships and research. The relatively small scale of HBCU endowments makes collaboration indispensable. Above all, transparent governance and professional management are critical to avoid reputational risk. Yet none of these barriers are unique. European, Asian, and African investors face them daily and manage to thrive.

This is not only an economic project but a political one. The creation of a formal African American–Kenya Investment Council, for example, could coordinate through the Four Points Chamber of Commerce, HBCUs, and Kenyan universities to advocate for favorable treaties, tax incentives, and research collaborations. African American institutions investing abroad alter the narrative at home: no longer just a constituency asking for inclusion, but a global economic player with interests that stretch across the Atlantic. Such evolution creates leverage in Washington, Wall Street, and international forums.

Take agritech as a concrete example. Kenya’s agricultural sector employs over 60 percent of its labor force, yet productivity remains limited by technology and infrastructure. African American banks could co-finance ventures in irrigation, cold storage, and logistics platforms. HBCUs such as Tuskegee and Prairie View A&M could supply expertise in agricultural science and training. The returns could be strong, while the ventures also address food security and climate resilience—issues central to Africa’s stability. This is an example of investment tied not only to financial return but to global relevance.

The deeper point is that these ventures embed African American institutions into Africa’s growth story. They create a new narrative where HBCU students intern at Nairobi startups, Kenyan entrepreneurs raise capital from African American banks, and families on both sides of the Atlantic see tangible proof that the Diaspora is not fragmented but interwoven. In a world where capital dictates influence, these ties are transformative. They represent not just diversification but restoration, an opportunity to re-knit the fabric of a dispersed people through shared prosperity.

The cost of inaction is steep. China has entrenched itself in Kenya and across Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative. Gulf states are investing heavily in energy and real estate. European firms continue to capture opportunities in agriculture and infrastructure. If African American institutions remain passive, they will again watch as others define Africa’s economic trajectory, forfeiting both profits and influence. Worse, they will remain locked in a domestic cycle of undercapitalization and marginalization, failing to establish the transatlantic presence that could transform their institutional standing.

For too long, African America has celebrated individual success while neglecting institutional power. The result has been wealth without leverage and influence without permanence. Kenya and the wider African continent present a chance to reverse this trajectory. African American financial institutions and HBCU endowments can seize the opportunity by building joint investment vehicles that are ambitious, strategic, and collaborative. To invest in Kenya is to invest not only in profitable ventures but in the future of a Diaspora united by shared capital, shared strategy, and shared destiny. The transatlantic bridge is waiting to be built. The question is whether African America will summon the courage, coordination, and vision to cross it.

Step-by-step practical framework that African American financial institutions and HBCU endowments could follow to launch their first $50 million joint Kenya investment fund:

Imagine a handful of African American bank CEOs and HBCU endowment chiefs sitting together in a boardroom. The room is filled with cautious optimism. They know that together, they control billions in assets. What they don’t yet have is a proven model for working together to extend institutional power abroad. That meeting marks the first step: the coalition. A steering committee is formed, with voices from banking, academia, and outside advisors who know Kenya’s economic landscape. Their mandate is clear—launch a fund that delivers returns, but also anchors a new Pan-African economic relationship.

Step 1: Establish a Foundational Coalition

  • Identify core partners: Secure commitments from 3–5 African American banks and 5–7 HBCUs with at least $50M in combined investable capital.
  • Set up a steering committee: Include representatives from bank leadership, HBCU endowment managers, and external advisors with Africa market expertise.
  • Define purpose: Clearly state the dual mission: generating strong financial returns while building a bridge for institutional Pan-African economic partnerships.

The first order of business is to commission a feasibility study. Consultants with expertise in Kenya’s political economy, regulatory framework, and sector opportunities are hired. They map out the terrain: Kenya’s fast-growing fintech sector, renewable energy projects feeding off abundant solar and wind, agribusiness tied to both domestic and export markets, and logistics hubs serving East Africa’s gateway economy. Risks are weighed—currency volatility, regulatory hurdles, political cycles—but so are opportunities. The committee sees promise.

Step 2: Commission a Feasibility Study

  • Hire consultants with Kenya expertise: Legal, financial, and political economy experts based in both the U.S. and Kenya.
  • Sector focus analysis: Prioritize sectors Kenya is inviting foreign direct investment into—agriculture, fintech, renewable energy, real estate, and logistics.
  • Risk assessment: Evaluate currency volatility, repatriation policies, political stability, and regulatory compliance.

Next, the legal and financial scaffolding of the fund takes shape. They agree on a traditional GP/LP structure based in the U.S. for investor familiarity, with a Kenyan arm for local operations. Banks pledge their first tranches—perhaps $5M each. HBCUs, with smaller endowments but a deep sense of mission, contribute $2–3M apiece. Collectively, the first commitments reach $30M, enough to begin building credibility. The remaining capital will come from outside partners.

Step 3: Create the Legal & Financial Structure

  • Fund structure: Decide whether the vehicle will be a private equity fund, venture fund, or blended finance model.
  • Jurisdiction: Likely establish a U.S.-based LP/GP model for investor confidence, with a Kenyan subsidiary or partnership entity.
  • Capital commitments: Each bank and HBCU pledges proportional investments. Example: 3 banks commit $5M each, 7 HBCUs commit $2–3M each, plus matching funds from development finance institutions.

Those partners are cultivated carefully. Calls are made to the African Development Bank, IFC, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Each sees value in a diaspora-led fund connecting capital from the African American community to African markets. Meanwhile, Kenyan pension funds and cooperatives are invited to co-invest. Diaspora high-net-worth individuals are offered side-car vehicles. With these anchor and matching partners, the fund’s $50M target is within reach.

Step 4: Secure Anchor & Matching Partners

  • DFIs and multilaterals: Approach institutions like African Development Bank (AfDB), U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and IFC for co-investments.
  • Kenyan institutions: Partner with local pension funds, cooperatives (SACCOs), or universities to establish local credibility and co-ownership.
  • Diaspora investors: Offer side-car investment vehicles for African American and African diaspora high-net-worth individuals.

Governance is another priority. The steering committee transforms into an investment committee, balanced between African American institutional leaders and Kenyan business experts. An advisory board is established with specialists in agriculture, energy, real estate, and fintech. Transparency is emphasized—annual impact reports will detail not only financial returns, but jobs created, student exchanges launched, and trade flows increased.

Step 5: Build Governance & Accountability Mechanisms

  • Investment committee: Balance between African American institutional reps and Kenyan business leaders.
  • Advisory board: Include sector specialists in agriculture, energy, fintech, etc.
  • Transparency: Publish annual reports and impact metrics, not just financial returns, but job creation and trade flows between HBCUs and Kenya.

Deal flow comes next. Nairobi-based investment professionals are hired to scout opportunities, vet local entrepreneurs, and structure partnerships. At the same time, HBCUs begin linking their own academic programs—business schools, agricultural research centers, and engineering departments—into the fund’s sector priorities. Student projects and faculty research now have real-world investment applications in Kenya.

Step 6: Develop Pipeline & Deal Flow

  • Partnership with Kenyan government: Leverage incentives offered to foreign investors, including tax breaks and special economic zones.
  • Local deal scouts: Hire Nairobi-based professionals to source deals in priority sectors.
  • HBCU connections: Link research and student projects to sectors targeted by the fund (e.g., agricultural science programs tied to Kenyan agribusiness investments).

With structure, governance, and deal flow in place, the fund launches its pilot tranche. $10M is deployed across two or three projects. A solar mini-grid company extending power to rural communities. A fintech platform simplifying mobile payments. A mid-sized agribusiness processing exports for global markets. These are not moonshots—they are solid, scalable enterprises that demonstrate both impact and return. The performance of this pilot will be watched closely. If successful, it will unlock the remainder of the $50M and set the stage for larger ambitions.

Step 7: Launch Pilot Investments ($10M tranche)

  • Start small within the $50M: Deploy $10M across 2–3 companies/projects.
  • Focus on scalable businesses: Renewable energy mini-grids, fintech payment platforms, or agri-processing facilities.
  • Monitor performance closely: Use pilot results to refine risk models, build confidence among stakeholders, and attract more investors.

Within 18 months, the pilot investments begin to show results. Jobs are created. Returns begin to flow. Confidence builds. The remaining capital is deployed, spreading across a diversified portfolio. HBCUs launch student and faculty exchanges with Kenyan institutions tied to the fund’s sectors. African American banks begin opening lines of credit to U.S. businesses interested in exporting to East Africa. The fund is no longer just an experiment—it is an institution in itself.

Step 8: Expand and Institutionalize

  • Scale to full $50M deployment: After 12–18 months of pilot success, release additional tranches.
  • Knowledge transfer: Create HBCU student and faculty exchange programs tied to investments.
  • Secondary fundraising: Use strong pilot performance to raise an additional $100M+ follow-on fund.

As momentum grows, the fund takes steps toward permanence. A Nairobi office is established, staffed by African American and Kenyan professionals alike. Training programs create a pipeline for HBCU students to intern in Kenya and Kenyan students to study at HBCUs. Over time, this exchange deepens the cultural and economic ties the fund was designed to spark.

Step 9: Create Long-Term Infrastructure

  • Permanent office in Nairobi: Establish a joint African American–Kenyan fund management company.
  • Training & pipeline development: Develop internship pipelines for HBCU students in Kenya, and Kenyan students at HBCUs.
  • Institutional trust: Turn the fund into a long-term institutional asset class for African American banks and HBCUs.

After five years, success is measured in multiple ways. Financially, the fund delivers returns in line with its targets—perhaps 12–15% IRR. Institutionally, it has created a precedent: HBCUs and African American banks can collaborate on global investments. Socially, it has created jobs in Kenya, exported knowledge and partnerships, and brought students and faculty into real-world economic diplomacy. Most importantly, it has built trust. Trust between African American institutions and African markets. Trust that this model can be scaled.

Step 10: Measure Success & Reinvest

  • Financial benchmarks: Target 12–15% IRR across diversified investments.
  • Social impact: Jobs created in Kenya, number of HBCU students/faculty involved, new African American businesses entering African markets.
  • Recycling capital: Reinvest returns into next-generation funds, building compounding institutional wealth.

With trust comes ambition. A second fund is planned—this time $100M, then $500M. The coalition envisions a Pan-African investment platform, deploying billions across sectors and countries. HBCUs, once thought of only as educational institutions, now sit at the table of international finance. African American banks, once dismissed as niche, now act as global intermediaries for diaspora capital.

The $50M Kenya fund was never just about money. It was about proving the power of joint institutionalism. It was about showing that African American capital, when organized and directed abroad, can generate wealth, influence, and opportunity for generations. And it was about establishing a roadmap that others can follow—a playbook for diaspora-led investment that starts in Kenya but could extend across the African continent.

Disclaimer: This article was assisted by ChatGPT.

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Bringing New Faces to the Global Shipping Industry: A Nod to Garvey & Black Star Line

Posted on October 14, 2025 by | Leave a comment

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for.” – Grace Hopper

 The global shipping industry is the backbone of world trade, moving 90% of goods across the seas, yet it remains a sector with limited diversity. Despite the industry’s significance in shaping the global economy, the workforce is largely homogeneous, primarily composed of men from developed nations, particularly those in Europe and East Asia. However, in a rapidly changing global landscape, diversity has become an asset. A more inclusive workforce is vital for fostering innovation and addressing the industry’s evolving challenges, from sustainability to technological disruptions. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are uniquely positioned to play a transformative role in reshaping the future of the global shipping industry. This article will explore how HBCUs can contribute to diversifying the global shipping workforce through entrepreneurship, engineering programs, and the development of new financial models, while also looking at opportunities for HBCUs to collaborate with Sub-Saharan African nations to strengthen their shipping economies.

The global shipping industry is vast, encompassing everything from container ships that carry goods across oceans to ports that manage cargo and logistics operations. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the shipping industry moves over 11 billion tons of goods every year, with more than 50,000 merchant ships currently in operation. The economic significance of the shipping sector cannot be overstated, as it is integral to the functioning of international trade.

However, while the industry generates trillions of dollars in revenue annually, it is also a sector that faces numerous challenges. These include overcapacity, rising fuel prices, environmental concerns, labor shortages, and increasing automation. As these challenges mount, the need for innovative solutions becomes more urgent. This is where a more diverse workforce can make a meaningful impact. Diverse perspectives in leadership, engineering, and operations can fuel the creative thinking necessary to solve the industry’s complex problems.

HBCUs, institutions of higher learning that were founded with the mission of educating African Americans, have long been at the forefront of producing professionals who excel in a variety of fields, including engineering, law, business, and the sciences. Engineering programs at HBCUs are known for their robust curriculum, which emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications. For example, institutions such as Howard University, Tuskegee University, and Morgan State University have long had strong engineering programs that prepare students for careers in industries such as aerospace, civil engineering, and electrical engineering.

In the context of global shipping, engineering graduates from HBCUs could bring fresh perspectives to the industry. The need for highly skilled engineers in the shipping sector is crucial, particularly in the fields of automation, sustainable shipping technologies, and shipbuilding. Many shipping companies are already embracing automation, with some vessels being operated with minimal human intervention. However, as technology advances, the need for engineers who can design, implement, and maintain these technologies will only grow.

The shortage of engineers in the shipping industry is a pressing issue. According to a 2020 study by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), there is a growing need for skilled workers, particularly as the sector embraces digitalization and automation. This presents a major opportunity for HBCUs to expand their engineering programs and tailor them to the specific needs of the shipping industry. HBCUs can offer specialized courses in maritime engineering, shipbuilding, logistics systems, and sustainable shipping practices.

Entrepreneurship is another area where HBCUs can make a significant impact in the global shipping industry. While much of the shipping industry has been dominated by large multinational corporations, there is room for smaller, innovative companies that can introduce new business models and technologies. Entrepreneurship in shipping could involve the creation of new logistics companies, port management systems, or innovative shipping technologies.

HBCUs have a long history of nurturing entrepreneurs who have gone on to make significant contributions to various industries. The entrepreneurship programs at HBCUs often focus on fostering leadership, problem-solving skills, and creativity, all of which are essential for succeeding in the competitive world of shipping. HBCU alumni have made notable contributions to industries as diverse as technology, entertainment, and healthcare. With the global shipping industry ripe for disruption, there is an opportunity to create a new generation of Black entrepreneurs who can innovate in this space.

One possible avenue for entrepreneurship in the shipping industry is the development of sustainable shipping solutions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry, with a goal of cutting emissions by 50% by 2050. HBCUs, with their strong engineering programs, could become key players in developing technologies that reduce the environmental impact of shipping. From energy-efficient vessels to the use of alternative fuels, there is ample room for innovation.

Another area of opportunity lies in the logistics and supply chain sector, which has become more important than ever in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shipping industry has seen unprecedented disruptions in supply chains, which has led to a renewed focus on resilience and flexibility. HBCUs can help foster the next generation of leaders in supply chain management, creating businesses that help move goods more efficiently and cost-effectively.

In addition to engineering and entrepreneurship, financial institutions and models are another critical area where HBCUs can help reshape the global shipping industry. The role of Black-owned banks and investment firms is particularly important, as they can provide the necessary capital for new ventures and innovations in shipping.

Black banks, such as OneUnited Bank and the Carver Federal Savings Bank, play a critical role in financing businesses in underserved communities. However, they also have the potential to play a key role in financing global industries like shipping. As the shipping sector increasingly looks for ways to incorporate sustainability into its operations, there is a growing demand for green financing, which focuses on funding projects that have a positive environmental impact.

HBCUs can play a critical role in helping Black banks navigate this growing demand. HBCU alumni with backgrounds in finance, business, and engineering can help shape financial products that support sustainable shipping projects. For example, a specialized green shipping fund could be created to finance the development of more sustainable vessels, port facilities, or supply chain innovations. Such initiatives could also foster closer ties between Black-owned banks and the global shipping industry, creating opportunities for greater access to capital for emerging shipping companies.

In addition, Black-owned investment firms could become key players in the growing trend of impact investing. By focusing on companies that prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, Black investors can help drive change in the shipping sector by funding companies that prioritize sustainability, diversity, and innovation.

While engineering and entrepreneurship are critical to diversifying the shipping industry, it is also important to recognize the variety of other career paths within the shipping ecosystem. These roles, which range from logistics and supply chain management to port operations and maritime law, also present opportunities for HBCU graduates.

Logistics and supply chain management, in particular, is an area where HBCUs can have a significant impact. The increasing complexity of global trade requires professionals who understand not only how to move goods across borders but also how to manage and optimize the flow of goods at every step of the journey. HBCUs can help train the next generation of logistics professionals who can work in every facet of the supply chain, from procurement to distribution.

Port operations and management is another key area of opportunity. Ports are the critical juncture in the global shipping process, and they require skilled professionals who can oversee operations, manage labor forces, and ensure that goods are moved efficiently and safely. HBCUs can help fill this gap by offering specialized training in port management and logistics operations.

Furthermore, the global shipping industry requires legal professionals who understand maritime law and international trade regulations. Maritime law is a complex field that requires expertise in areas such as insurance, shipping contracts, and international treaties. HBCUs, with their robust law programs, can help train future lawyers who will specialize in these areas, creating opportunities for Black professionals to shape the legal framework of the global shipping industry.

Sub-Saharan Africa, with its vast coastline and strategic positioning along key maritime routes, has significant untapped potential in the global shipping industry. African nations have long faced challenges in building sustainable shipping economies due to inadequate infrastructure, limited human capital, and heavy reliance on foreign shipping companies. However, the region is increasingly prioritizing infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and regional economic integration, creating opportunities for collaboration with HBCUs.

Educational Partnerships and Training Programs

One of the most immediate opportunities for HBCUs lies in the development of educational partnerships that address the skills gap in Sub-Saharan Africa’s shipping and logistics sectors. HBCUs can collaborate with African universities to offer joint programs in maritime engineering, logistics management, and maritime law, developing a local workforce capable of managing and optimizing African ports and shipping fleets.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Shipping

HBCUs can help African nations build sustainable infrastructure solutions by training entrepreneurs to develop local shipping companies, port management systems, and innovative logistics technologies. The emphasis on green shipping innovations, such as energy-efficient vessels and alternative fuels, could help Sub-Saharan Africa become a leader in sustainable maritime solutions.

Collaborative Research and Development

R&D partnerships between HBCUs and Sub-Saharan African countries can drive technological innovation in shipping, from automation and digitalization to sustainable shipping practices. HBCUs can collaborate with African governments to improve port efficiency, reduce congestion, and optimize the flow of goods across borders.

Financial Partnerships and Investment Opportunities

HBCUs can also partner with Black-owned investment firms and African development banks to fund shipping infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through collaboration, these institutions can help finance the modernization of ports and shipbuilding projects, fostering local businesses and reducing the region’s dependency on foreign shipping companies.

The global shipping industry faces significant challenges as it adapts to a rapidly changing world, from the rise of automation to the imperative of sustainability. To meet these challenges, the industry needs a diverse and innovative workforce that can think outside the box and create new solutions. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with their strong engineering programs, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to producing talented professionals, are uniquely positioned to help diversify the global shipping industry. By expanding their curricula, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening ties with Black banks and investment firms, HBCUs can help shape the future of the global shipping industry, bringing new faces, ideas, and opportunities to this critical sector of the global economy. Moreover, through partnerships with Sub-Saharan African countries, HBCUs can play a transformative role in building sustainable shipping economies in the region, fostering regional integration, and reducing dependence on foreign shipping companies. These efforts not only contribute to the development of Sub-Saharan Africa but also strengthen the global shipping industry by introducing new voices, technologies, and business models that promote greater sustainability and innovation.

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Schools For Husbands and Wives: Preparing African American Couples for Partnership and Institutional Power

Posted on October 10, 2025 by | Leave a comment

“The family is the nucleus of civilization.” — Will Durant

When news broke from Senegal that so-called “schools for husbands” were being used to lower maternal and newborn mortality rates, the headlines focused on the novelty of men being taught to wash dishes, attend prenatal visits, and support women’s healthcare. Yet beneath the surface, Senegal’s program is not just about chores or even just about health, it is about reshaping cultural norms so that households operate as functional units rather than fractured spaces of authority and neglect. In a country where patriarchal structures often keep women from making life-saving decisions without a man’s permission, Senegal’s government and community leaders recognized that sustainable change had to address the power imbalance between men and women.

This insight carries an important lesson for African America. The African American family is facing a structural crisis. Only 38 percent of African American children grow up in two-parent households compared to 78 percent of white children, and the numbers are even more stark when considering households of generational stability, wealth accumulation, and transmission of institutional knowledge. The decline of the two-parent household in African America has had profound consequences not just for children, but for adults who often enter adulthood without ever having witnessed sustained partnership between equals.

What if African America had its own version of Senegal’s schools expanded to include both husbands and wives, and designed for straight couples and LGBTQ couples alike? A “School for Husbands and Wives” could become a powerful cultural and institutional lever, equipping African Americans with the skills, expectations, and frameworks to build households that are not only emotionally healthy but also institutionally productive.

Why African America Needs Schools for Husbands and Wives

African Americans live in a paradox: on the one hand, they are among the most religiously active groups in the country, with churches historically serving as community hubs. On the other hand, African American households are disproportionately fragmented. The reasons are historical and structural—slavery destroyed family continuity, Jim Crow restricted marriage rights, mass incarceration and discriminatory welfare policies tore apart families, and modern labor and housing policies continue to erode family stability.

The consequence is that too many African Americans enter relationships without having observed healthy models of partnership. This absence manifests itself in multiple ways:

  • Gender distrust: Many African American men and women view each other as competitors rather than partners, shaped by economic inequality and media stereotypes.
  • Power imbalances: Without clarity on roles, relationships often collapse under stress: financial, emotional, or social.
  • Institutional gaps: Families are the basic units of institutions. When African American families are weak, African American institutions remain undercapitalized and undercoordinated.

This reality is not confined to heterosexual couples. LGBTQ African Americans, who face both external discrimination and internal cultural tension, often have even fewer family blueprints to draw upon. Whether in straight or queer relationships, the challenge remains: how do two people form a sustainable partnership when their models are fragmented, mistrust abounds, and institutional frameworks are weak?

A School for Husbands and Wives would take on this challenge directly, teaching the mechanics of partnership in the same way Senegal’s program teaches men the mechanics of maternal health support. But instead of focusing solely on chores or permissions, the African American model would expand to include economics, conflict resolution, institution building, and cultural grounding.

The Senegalese Model: A Starting Point

Senegal’s schools for husbands use respected community figures like imams, former soldiers, and elders to teach men about women’s rights, maternal health, and shared responsibilities. The success lies in reframing: chores are not humiliating, they are acts of love; women’s health decisions are not threats, they are family investments; shared authority is not weakness, it is strength.

For African Americans, a School for Husbands and Wives could use a similar approach: respected voices drawn from the community like professors, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and married couples who have sustained long-term partnerships would teach relationship and family skills as community investments. The aim would be to destigmatize conversations about partnership and create new models where none exist.

Curriculum for Partnership

What would a School for Husbands and Wives look like in African America?

  1. Economics of Partnership
    • Teaching couples how to pool resources effectively, manage debt, invest in assets, and prioritize institutional wealth over individual consumption.
    • Lessons on real estate, life insurance, trusts, and estate planning—so that households become wealth anchors, not debt traps.
  2. Conflict Resolution and Communication
    • Many couples replicate cycles of mistrust they observed growing up. Training in conflict resolution, active listening, and equitable compromise would be central.
    • Both straight and LGBTQ couples would benefit from structured conversations on navigating cultural stigma, managing extended family expectations, and sustaining emotional intimacy.
  3. Household Labor Distribution
    • Senegal emphasizes men helping with chores to reduce women’s burdens. In African America, the conversation must extend further: both partners share responsibility for cooking, cleaning, parenting, and professional ambitions.
    • The school would also address how unpaid labor at home directly connects to economic outcomes, productivity, and career success for both partners.
  4. Cultural and Historical Grounding
    • African American couples would be taught the history of the African American family as an institution under assault—from slavery to mass incarceration.
    • By understanding the intentionality of these assaults, couples would better grasp the importance of intentional partnership as resistance.
  5. Parenting as Institutional Strategy
    • Children should be raised not just with love, but with strategy: to become contributors to African American institutional wealth and culture.
    • Parents would learn to combine elements of “tiger” and “gentle” parenting—discipline and nurture balanced toward the goal of institutional power.

Straight and LGBTQ Couples Together

Too often, discussions of African American family structure exclude LGBTQ couples, reinforcing division where there should be solidarity. A School for Husbands and Wives would explicitly include both straight and LGBTQ couples, recognizing that the core challenges of partnership communication, trust, economic strategy, cultural grounding are universal.

In fact, LGBTQ couples often demonstrate resilience in building intentional families under hostile conditions, a skillset that all African Americans can learn from. By including diverse couple models, the school would normalize different family structures while emphasizing the shared goal: strong, functioning partnerships that build institutions.

Institutional Implications

African American institutions such as HBCUs, banks, businesses, nonprofits are only as strong as the families that sustain them. Wealth is built in households before it is transferred to institutions. If African American households remain fragmented, then institutions will remain weak.

A School for Husbands and Wives could therefore be sponsored or housed by HBCUs, serving both as a community program and as a research lab. Partnerships with African American financial institutions could integrate financial literacy into the curriculum. Faith institutions, cultural centers, and civic organizations could all play roles in teaching and sustaining graduates of the program.

The benefits would ripple:

  • Higher marriage stability rates among African Americans.
  • Greater pooling of household income, increasing wealth accumulation.
  • Stronger parenting, producing children with higher educational attainment and cultural grounding.
  • Increased institutional giving and investment, as families with stability contribute more to churches, HBCUs, and community organizations.

Policy and Public Health Dimensions

A School for Husbands and Wives should not be seen only as a cultural innovation, but also as a public health and policy strategy. The lack of stable households directly correlates with higher rates of poverty, incarceration, and health disparities. Policymakers could frame such schools as preventative investments, much like job training or nutrition programs.

Public funding, alongside philanthropic investment from African American institutions, could help establish pilot programs in cities with large African American populations. These schools could even be tied to existing healthcare infrastructure such as community health clinics so that relationship education is linked to wellness checkups, parenting support, and financial literacy programs.

If Senegal can link male training to maternal survival, African America can link couple training to family survival.

Lessons from Senegal’s Caution

Senegal’s experience shows that change is incremental and contested. Some men embrace new roles; others resist. Likewise, in African America, not everyone will accept the idea of formal schools for partnership. Some will argue that love is natural and cannot be taught. Others will resist LGBTQ inclusion. Some will see the program as unnecessary “therapy culture.”

But institutions are built through intentionality, not accident. Just as one studies law to become a lawyer or finance to become a banker, so too must African Americans study partnership if they are to build families that function as institutional engines.

A Vision Forward

Imagine a future where every African American couple, before or after marriage, participates in a School for Husbands and Wives. They leave not only with a deeper love for each other but with tools for building wealth, resolving conflict, and raising children with purpose. They learn to see themselves as not just individuals, but as co-founders of a household institution.

The Senegalese model shows us that cultural change is possible when men are trained to view equality as strength. African America can expand that vision: training both husbands and wives, straight and queer, to view partnership as the foundation of institutional survival.

Just as Senegal’s schools for husbands aim to save lives, African America’s schools for husbands and wives would aim to save legacies.ve legacies.

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China v. United States Is Not The Only Great Power Competition – Make No Mistake About It, HBCUs v. PWIs Are At War

Posted on October 7, 2025 by | Leave a comment

“Today, the United States and China, often with Russia at its side, are competing to shape security architectures, as well as norms and practices worldwide, including trade and investment regimes and the development and regulation of new technological infrastructures. These frictions will play out over decades, not only in Beijing, Washington, and Moscow, but in Africa and Europe, the Arctic, outer space, and cyberspace.” – The Wilson Center

There are no African or Caribbean countries considered to be part of the Great Power Competition, only pawns in it. – William A. Foster, IV

In global affairs, the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China captures headlines as the preeminent competition shaping the 21st century. However, closer to home, another fierce contest is unfolding—one that, while lacking the military and economic ramifications of the U.S.-China rivalry, is no less significant in the battle for resources, prestige, and influence. This is the ongoing conflict between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). This battle is not just about educational preference; it is a struggle for survival, legacy, and the future of Black intellectualism and empowerment in America.

The Historical Context: Foundations of an Educational Divide

HBCUs were born out of necessity in an era when Black students were systematically excluded from white institutions due to segregation and racism. Established primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, HBCUs provided a sanctuary for Black education and upliftment. Schools such as Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College became powerhouses in producing Black professionals, thinkers, and leaders, who otherwise would have been denied access to quality education.

In contrast, PWIs, traditionally serving white students, eventually opened their doors to Black students following the Civil Rights Movement and the dismantling of Jim Crow laws. Integration, while a monumental victory, led to unintended consequences for HBCUs, including a decline in enrollment as Black students increasingly sought the prestige, resources, and opportunities associated with PWIs. The playing field, however, was never level. PWIs had centuries of endowments, expansive alumni networks, and government backing, whereas HBCUs remained underfunded and underappreciated.

The War Over Resources

One of the most glaring disparities in the HBCU vs. PWI competition is financial resources. The average endowment of an HBCU pales in comparison to that of even a mid-tier PWI. Take, for example, Harvard University, whose endowment surpasses $50 billion, while the combined endowments of all HBCUs struggle to reach a fraction of that amount.

This disparity has real consequences: outdated facilities, limited scholarships, fewer research opportunities, and struggles in faculty retention. Meanwhile, PWIs attract Black students with lucrative scholarships, state-of-the-art facilities, and networking opportunities that are difficult to resist. The financial battle is one that HBCUs, despite their resilience, continue to fight uphill.

Cultural Significance: A Battle for Identity

Beyond money, the HBCU vs. PWI war is a cultural one. HBCUs offer a unique and nurturing environment where Black students can thrive without the pressures of being minorities in predominantly white spaces. The culture of HBCUs is rich with tradition, homecomings, Greek life, and an emphasis on communal upliftment. These institutions foster Black pride, empowerment, and a curriculum centered around Black history and achievement.

PWIs, on the other hand, often relegate Black culture to a sub-narrative. While diversity and inclusion initiatives have increased, many Black students at PWIs report feeling isolated, encountering microaggressions, and struggling to find representation among faculty and administration. However, PWIs offer certain advantages—larger research budgets, extensive alumni networks, and higher-ranked programs—which make them attractive options for students seeking a competitive edge in the job market.

The Sports Arena: Where the Battle is Most Visible

Athletics is one of the most publicized battlegrounds in the HBCU vs. PWI war. For decades, Black athletes from HBCUs like Grambling State, Jackson State, and Southern University dominated professional sports. However, the integration of PWIs led to the siphoning of Black athletic talent away from HBCUs. Today, powerhouse programs at schools like Alabama, Ohio State, and Duke recruit Black athletes with multi-million dollar facilities, exposure, and professional pipeline programs that HBCUs struggle to match.

The recent resurgence of attention toward HBCU sports—highlighted by figures like Deion Sanders coaching at Jackson State—signals a potential shift in the paradigm. Sanders’ tenure not only brought visibility but also reignited discussions about the significance of Black athletes playing at HBCUs rather than generating billions of dollars for PWIs, which often fail to reinvest in Black communities.

The Corporate and Political Battlefield

Beyond academia and sports, HBCUs and PWIs compete in the corporate and political realms. HBCU graduates have historically faced challenges breaking into elite circles of power, where PWIs hold dominance. Fortune 500 companies and government institutions have historically recruited from Ivy League and top-tier PWIs, often overlooking the rich talent pools at HBCUs.

One of the starkest indicators of racial economic disparity is the near-total absence of Black-owned Fortune 500 companies. As of recent years, there have been fewer than five Black CEOs in the entire Fortune 500, and the number of Black-owned companies on the list is virtually nonexistent. Systemic barriers, including access to capital, investor bias, and exclusion from influential business networks, continue to hinder Black entrepreneurs from scaling their enterprises to the level of major corporate giants.

The lack of Black-owned Fortune 500 companies is particularly concerning when viewed against the backdrop of political and economic shifts. The rise of Donald Trump and his brand of economic nationalism underscored a shift toward policies that often ignored or outright disadvantaged minority-owned businesses. Trump’s tax policies largely benefited large corporations and the wealthiest Americans, while minority entrepreneurs saw little in the way of targeted support. His administration’s rollback of diversity initiatives in government and business further exacerbated the existing racial wealth gap.

However, recent movements advocating for diversity and equity have shifted some focus back to HBCUs. The Biden administration’s historic investment in HBCUs, as well as corporate pledges following the George Floyd protests, indicate an acknowledgment of these institutions’ significance. Still, whether these commitments translate into long-term systemic changes remains uncertain.

The Future of the Battle

The war between HBCUs and PWIs is not one of violence but of strategy, resilience, and adaptation. HBCUs must innovate, leveraging their cultural significance and legacy to attract top Black talent. Alumni engagement, corporate partnerships, and increased state funding are crucial to leveling the playing field. Simultaneously, Black students and families must weigh the long-term benefits of choosing an HBCU over a PWI, recognizing that their decision impacts the future viability of these historic institutions.

PWIs, while dominant in many areas, must confront their own racial disparities and reckon with their histories of exclusion. Recruiting Black students without providing adequate support systems leads to high dropout rates and dissatisfaction. For genuine equity, PWIs must go beyond optics and foster environments where Black students can thrive academically, culturally, and socially.

Conclusion: A War for Legacy

The United States and China battle for global supremacy in economics, technology, and military might. But within the U.S., the war between HBCUs and PWIs is a struggle for Black excellence, institutional power, and legacy. The outcome of this battle will determine the future of Black education and leadership. Will HBCUs regain their prominence and secure the funding and recognition they deserve? Or will PWIs continue to dominate, drawing Black talent into historically exclusive spaces while leaving HBCUs to struggle?

Make no mistake about it—this is a war. And like all wars, the victors will shape history. The question is: who will ensure that Black institutions not only survive but thrive in the centuries to come?

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Can Military Strategy Save HBCUs? “The Estimate of the Situation” Approach

Posted on October 3, 2025 by | Leave a comment

Strike an enemy once and for all. Let him cease to exist as a tribe or he will live to fly in your throat again. – Shaka Zulu, Advice to King Dingiswayo on the treatment of the defeated Ndwanwes

The Battle for the Black Mind

At the beginning of the 20th century, African American higher education was a mission of survival. By the end of the century, it had become a struggle for relevance. Today, the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) face a different kind of warfare—one not waged on battlefields but in boardrooms, budget hearings, and data dashboards. Declining endowments, limited research funding, a shrinking pool of Black male students, and encroachment by Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) on their traditional demographic base has left many HBCUs strategically adrift.

But what if the remedy lies not in education reform think tanks or philanthropic patchwork, but in the unlikeliest of quarters—military strategy?

In the art of war, commanders engage in a disciplined process known as the “Estimate of the Situation.” Codified in U.S. military doctrine, this method assesses terrain, adversaries, capabilities, and courses of action before deciding how to marshal forces to achieve objectives. It is a doctrine of clarity, decisiveness, and ruthless prioritization—traits HBCUs, long forced into reactive postures, desperately need. If deployed correctly, it may offer a blueprint for survival and supremacy.

Terrain and Threat Assessment

The educational terrain for HBCUs is marked by systemic deprivation. While the Ivies and flagship publics boast endowments in the billions—Harvard’s at over $50 billion and the University of Texas System’s UTIMCO fund at $66 billion—only a handful of HBCUs cross the $100 million threshold. In 2024, Howard University led with a $908 million endowment, trailed by Spelman College ($569 million) and Hampton University ($379 million). By contrast, many HBCUs hover in the single-digit millions, dependent on volatile tuition revenue and susceptible to enrollment shocks.

Their adversaries are both external and internal. PWIs, emboldened by racial reckoning post-George Floyd, have launched aggressive DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) marketing campaigns targeting high-achieving Black students, faculty, and even entire academic programs traditionally incubated within HBCUs. These institutions are mimicking HBCU cultural strengths while wielding superior infrastructure, funding, and media amplification.

Internally, decades of underfunding by state legislatures, inconsistent leadership pipelines, and fractured alumni giving have made coordination among HBCUs difficult. Public HBCUs often answer to politically hostile boards or governors who see their growth as optional, not imperative. In some Southern states, Black institutions are funded at levels far below their white counterparts, even while serving disproportionately more first-generation and low-income students.

The question then is: what does victory look like?

Mission Analysis: Existential or Expansionist?

In military parlance, the mission must be clear: is it to survive or to dominate? Too many HBCUs adopt a minimalist, survivalist mindset—hoping to keep doors open, retain accreditation, and attract enough enrollment to balance the books. But such passivity is tantamount to strategic surrender. If the mission is redefined as expansionist—growing endowments, poaching research talent, building technology hubs, or acquiring other institutions—then a different posture is required. One of preemption, consolidation, and power projection.

The underlying assumption should be this: the war for Black minds will intensify in the next decade as the U.S. becomes more diverse and the global competition for brainpower increases. If HBCUs do not act like insurgent militaries—nimbly, strategically, and with unified doctrine—they risk being romantic relics rather than revolutionary institutions.

Center of Gravity: The Black Intellectual Capital Base

In military strategy, the “center of gravity” is the source of an entity’s strength. For HBCUs, that center is their unparalleled social trust within the African American community and their historical mandate to serve as the custodians of Black intellectual capital.

Every great military power identifies its core asset. Rome had its legions. Britain its navy. The Soviet Union its armored divisions. For HBCUs, it is their alumni networks, faculty thought leadership, and cultural currency. But this center is fragile—threatened by underinvestment and neglect.

HBCUs should protect and project this strength. This means doubling down on producing future Black PhDs, engineers, doctors, and diplomats not as an accidental byproduct, but as a stated national security imperative for Black America. It also means developing internal think tanks and war colleges of their own—places where institutional planning, scenario modeling, and leadership development are continuous and sophisticated.

Logistics and Lines of Communication: The Endowment as Supply Chain

No army survives without logistics. In the higher education battlefield, the logistics trail is the endowment. It funds scholarships, shields against state austerity, allows for faculty recruitment, and finances long-term infrastructure. Currently, the Black educational front is malnourished.

A military-style “Operation Supply Line” could change this. Instead of chasing microgrants from corporations and philanthropies, a war doctrine would focus on concentrated, large-scale capital campaigns to create state-level or regional endowment federations.

Imagine, for example, if North Carolina’s five public HBCUs—North Carolina A&T, Fayetteville State, Elizabeth City State, Winston-Salem State, and North Carolina Central—pooled assets and donor bases into a centralized fund similar to UTIMCO. This would enable sophisticated portfolio strategies, risk mitigation, and scale advantages. Donors could give once, and see those funds managed professionally and distributed strategically.

The same could apply to private HBCUs, with alliances organized around geographic or academic complementarities. But like military alliances, these federations must be underpinned by mutual accountability and binding mission coherence.

Command Structure and Unity of Effort

Another hallmark of successful military strategy is clarity of command. At present, the HBCU landscape resembles a coalition of militias—each acting autonomously, sometimes duplicating efforts or even competing for the same resources. This is operationally inefficient.

There is precedent for unity. During World War II, Allied forces coordinated through joint command centers and mission directives despite national differences. HBCUs must do the same, perhaps through the reimagining of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and UNCF as strategic command centers with teeth—not just fundraising conduits but institutions empowered to set joint priorities, coordinate lobbying efforts, and deploy institutional reinforcements to weaker allies.

This would mean acting less like separate colleges and more like battalions of a unified liberation force. Leadership exchanges, shared procurement, collaborative curriculum design, and a universal strategic plan should all be part of the doctrine.

War Games: Scenario Planning for a Disruptive Future

In military planning, exercises and simulations are key to testing preparedness. HBCUs need war games of their own—scenarios that model enrollment collapse, cyberattacks, political defunding, or rival university encroachments.

How would an HBCU survive if its primary state funding was cut 30% overnight? What if a prominent PWI began offering free tuition to Black students within its region? Could it recruit, retrain, and digitally educate at scale in response?

Scenario planning should not be theoretical. HBCUs could embed these exercises into board retreats, trustee meetings, and presidential onboarding. Just as generals must war-game an invasion, university leaders must anticipate disruption and know their mobilization plans.

Counteroffensive: Reclaiming the Intellectual Offensive

Finally, no military campaign is complete without a counteroffensive. HBCUs must stop playing defense. They should reclaim the offensive by launching campaigns that define what Black excellence is—not as an assimilationist ideal, but as an autonomous civilization-building agenda.

This could include opening campuses abroad in Africa and the Caribbean, creating a Black Fulbright equivalent to rotate scholars through HBCU-led global programs, or establishing “colonies of influence” in major American cities through cultural centers and satellite campuses.

The ultimate strategic goal is deterrence: to make it clear to the philanthropic sector, the corporate elite, and rival institutions that HBCUs are not simply cultural landmarks but geopolitical actors in the knowledge economy. Their preservation, therefore, is not charity—it is strategic alignment with the future.

Final Estimate: Can Military Strategy Save HBCUs?

The Estimate of the Situation is a cold, analytical process. It recognizes no nostalgia, entertains no sentimentality. It demands clarity, precision, and ruthless self-appraisal. For HBCUs, the time for reactive strategies and wistful memory is over. What is required is a war doctrine.

The adversaries are organized. The battlefield is asymmetric. And time is not on the side of the disorganized.

Yet, there is hope. Unlike in war, HBCUs do not need to annihilate their enemies. They need only to out-strategize them. With the right command structure, pooled resources, rigorous planning, and cultural clarity, they can turn the tide.

As Shaka Zulu warned: to spare a weakened enemy is to invite a future war. For HBCUs, the weakened enemy is irrelevance—and they must strike now to ensure it never flies at their throat again.

 

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