Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been doing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion right for decades, and the rest of the country could learn a thing or two.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are under attack. Critics call it ideological. They treat it as a luxury or a distraction. But DEI isn’t a social “extra.” It is the engine of innovation, creativity, and progress. And the institutions that prove it every single day? HBCUs.
These colleges don’t just talk about diversity, they live it. They cultivate leaders from communities historically excluded from opportunity. They teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience. They produce graduates who don’t just fit into the world -- they change it.
Meanwhile, much of the country seems content to ignore the evidence. Boards and policymakers are chasing comfort over excellence, sameness over progress. They’re dismantling structures that drive innovation because they’ve convinced themselves that inclusion is optional. That’s not just wrong, it’s reckless.
HBCUs, like Kentucky State University in Frankfort and Simmons College in Louisville, offer a blueprint. They show that diversity isn’t a concession, it’s a competitive advantage. Equity isn’t charity, it’s strategy. Inclusion doesn’t slow progress - it accelerates it. In business, in politics, in science, and in society, the institutions that embrace this truth thrive, while those that reject it fall behind.
So, this HBCU Week, don’t just celebrate history, recognize the urgency of learning from it. In a nation increasingly hostile to DEI, HBCUs aren’t just teaching lessons; they are preserving a blueprint for how to think, lead, and succeed in a complex world.
The end question is simple: will we continue to pretend diversity isn’t essential to our success? Or will we follow the lead of HBCUs, where diversity isn’t a policy, it’s the foundation of innovation and excellence?
-Eric King
Digital Communications Strategist, ACLU-KY