Striking Number Of Fortune 500 Board Members Are Black HBCU Alums

New research by The Plug has revealed nearly 12% of Fortune 500 companies have at least one Black board member who is an alumnus of an HBCU college. 

The figures released earlier this week highlight the significant role HBCU colleges play in reducing the racial wealth gap and providing more opportunities for Black scholars to excel in their chosen careers.  

Despite HBCUs making up 3% of colleges and universities in the U.S., it continues to outperform non-HBCU institutions when retaining and graduating first-generation, low-income students. 

According to the National Science Foundation, almost 18% of Black STEM bachelor’s degrees are awarded from HBCUs. 

Therefore, HBCUs not only help pave the way for Black leaders in STEM, but it has also helped provide them with economic opportunities and the resources needed to excel in competitive roles.  

“Investing in the institutional capacity of HBCUs and developing diverse STEM talent is part of NSF’s longstanding commitment to broaden participation of groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM,” said Claudia Rankins, NSF Program Officer, who manages the HBCU program. 

“The knowledge generated by this center will detail what practices make HBCUs successful in educating Black students in STEM, and the center will place HBCUs at the forefront of STEM education reform.” 

Research by UNCF also reveals that HBCUs generate $14.8 billion in national economic impact and 134,090 jobs for their local and regional economies. Despite the narrative, HBCUs are not only proving to be a huge benefit to students, but they are also beneficial for the country as a whole.