Vital and Valuable

Jason Coupet, Georgia State University:
Vital and Valuable addresses the existence and survival of HBCUs with respect to institutional positioning, enrollment, funding, competition, politics, and student success. It clearly distinguishes itself by its empirical grounding, a rare approach in the HBCU book project space, to provide key insights. This book is in a class all its own.

William A. Darity Jr., Samuel DuBois Cook Professor of Public Policy, African and African American Studies, and Economics and director of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, Duke University:
This is the definitive study of historically Black colleges and universities in the United States. Combining social analysis, financial and enrollment data, and statistical analysis, Vital and Valuable provides the most comprehensive picture of the condition and contributions of HBCUs to date. Products of legal segregation in American higher education, underfinanced and underrecognized, HBCUs have 'made a way out of no way.' Vital and Valuable affords an in-depth, evidence-based treatment of their record of accomplishment in the vise of American racism.

Kurt Schmoke, president, University of Baltimore, and former mayor, City of Baltimore:
This book is both timely and insightful, a persuasive introduction of these unique educational gems to the broader community.

Julianne Malveaux, president emerita, Bennett College for Women, and dean, College of Ethnic Studies, California State University at Los Angeles:
Koch and Swinton present a powerful argument that HBCUs are 'vital and valuable.' Meticulously researched with detailed empiricism, the authors back up the claims that many make anecdotally. Comparing HBCUs to elite universities, state-supported universities, and other types of colleges and universities, Koch and Swinton make a convincing case that HBCUs are a critical part of the higher education landscape. If there were no HBCUs, some say, we would have to invent them, even in a so-called post-racial world. Swinton and Koch examine the history of HBCUs, including the racist history of governmental bias against HBCUs. They offer policy suggestions to strengthen HBCUs' sometimes fragile financial position, with recommendations for government, corporations, businesses, and philanthropy. Importantly, though Koch and Swinton are clear HBCU boosters, they do not avoid some uncomfortable aspects of the HBCU reality. Their candor, and the empiricism surrounding their assertions, strengthen their case. This clear-eyed and factual look at HBCUs is a must-read for anyone who cares about education, equity, and our nation's future. I learned from and enjoyed this book. I wish that some of the legislators who vote on HBCU appropriations would read Vital and Valuable so that it might inform their votes on appropriations.