TMCF thanks President Trump for reaffirming his commitment to HBCUs in executive order

/EIN News/ -- Washington, D.C., April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Officials at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) extend appreciation to President Trump for signing an executive order reestablishing the White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (White House Initiative) and reinforcing key TMCF policy priorities for the HBCU community.

“Today’s executive order serves as strong reaffirmation of President Trump’s support of investment of historically Black colleges and universities,” said TMCF President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams. “This executive order should serve as a call-to-action for corporations, foundations, members of Congress and state lawmakers to redouble their efforts to support HBCUs and their students. TMCF looks forward to continued engagement with the administration and Congress to deliver results for HBCUs and the students they serve via appropriations and other legislative actions.”

Following the signing of the executive order today, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said, “The White House initiative highlighted today reinforces President Trump’s commitment to supporting and elevating America’s HBCUs. The Department will work with the initiative and HBCUs to expand partnerships and share best practices for institutions to become hubs of opportunity and economic engines for local industries and employers. I am eager to elevate and support America’s HBCUs, including in my role on the President’s Board of Advisors for the White House Initiative on HBCUs.”

In addition to reestablishing the White House Initiative, this executive order encourages states to meet their obligations by matching federal funds appropriated to 1890 Land Grant HBCUs, marking the first time this issue has been highlighted in an executive order. Additionally, today’s executive order explicitly encourages private and philanthropic investment into HBCUs and their students. Today’s signing also moves the White House Initiative back to the White House, where its reporting lines resided during the first Trump administration. 

“The TMCF government relations team has worked closely with the White House to advocate for the inclusion of our policy priorities in the executive order over the past three months and we are very pleased that many of our priorities are reflected in the final version of the document promulgated today,” Dr. Williams said.

About Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Established in 1987, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community. TMCF member schools include the publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities, predominantly Black institutions and historically Black community colleges, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending Black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit www.tmcf.org.

Clara Ross Stamps
                     The Thurgood Marshall College Fund
                    240-931-0696
                    clara.stamps@tmcf.org