Presidential Documents

50433 

Federal Register 

Vol. 86, No. 172 

Thursday, September 9, 2021 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 10249 of September 3, 2021 

National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, 

2021 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Since 1837, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have educated and prepared millions of people to lift up our Nation and make 

their impact on the world. These essential institutions have been critical 

engines of opportunity for generations of American families—they are incubators of excellence, helping to shape the story of our Nation and deliver 

on the promise of a more perfect Union. During National Historically Black 

Colleges and Universities Week, we celebrate the vital role that HBCUs 

play in molding Black leaders and ensuring that America continues to move 

closer to reaching its full potential. 

From Delaware State—which has always held a special place in my heart— 

to more than 100 institutions across the country, HBCU graduates are the 

bearers of a proud and sacred tradition. It is the tradition of the Reverend 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thurgood Marshall, of Toni Morrison and 

Langston Hughes, of Reverend Jesse Jackson and Reverend William Barber. 

It is the tradition of countless scholars and advocates; leaders of industry, 

arts, and sciences; and leaders of faith and community. It is the tradition 

of trailblazers—including the first HBCU graduate elected to the Vice Presidency, Kamala Harris. It is a tradition rooted in a fundamental belief that 

quality education is a right that belongs to all people—that every single 

American should have a fair and equal chance to go as far as their Godgiven talents can take them. 

Opposition to that belief has been a stain on our Nation since its founding. 

After President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Black Americans were still subjected to persistent legal and social discrimination. Laws 

were enacted to stifle their progress, including laws that denied Black Americans access to the same educational opportunities as white Americans. Across 

the generations since, progress has been won. Racial segregation of public 

schools was struck down by the Supreme Court in a case successfully 

argued by HBCU graduates. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in public accommodations and federally-funded programs. Over time, 

hearts and minds have been changed. For more than 180 years, HBCUs 

have been on the forefront of that progress. 

Still, the wound—and the reality—of systemic racism remains. We see it 

in our education system, our labor force, our health care system, our criminal 

justice system, and in so many other corners of our society. We see it 

in the COVID–19 pandemic, which revealed and exacerbated longstanding 

disparities in areas like food security, internet access, and medical care. 

For Black women and girls, LGBTQ+ Black Americans, and Black Americans 

with disabilities—we see it compounded with other forms of discrimination 

and bias. As they have throughout their existence, HBCUs have risen to 

the occasion to serve their students and communities over the last year 

and a half—helping to develop breakthrough treatments, hosting life-saving 

COVID–19 vaccination sites, and nurturing movements for justice and equality. 


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50434 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 172 / Thursday, September 9, 2021 / Presidential Documents 

My Administration stands with HBCUs and is committed to the fundamental 

American promise they represent: that all of us are created equal and have 

a right to be treated equally throughout our lives. Too many times throughout 

our history, we have allowed a narrow, cramped view of that promise 

to fester—the false idea that America is a zero-sum game of opportunity, 

where a person can only lift themselves up by holding others down. It 

is critical that we shed that flawed way of thinking and finally embrace 

what we know to be true: that when any one of us is held back, we 

are all held back, and when we lift each other up, we are all lifted up. 

That idea—the defining idea of America—is why I issued an Executive 

Order on my first day in office establishing a whole-of-government approach 

to equity and racial justice. It is why I have built the most diverse Cabinet 

in history, why I am appointing Black judges to the Federal judiciary at 

an historic rate, and why we are continuing to build an Administration 

that truly looks like America. 

It is also why we will continue to support HBCUs in their vital mission. 

Imagine how much more creative and innovative America would be if our 

HBCUs had the same funding and resources as other institutions—allowing 

young people from every community to compete for the jobs and industries 

of the future. To help make that a reality, my Administration has proposed 

approximately $239 million in new institutional aid funding for HBCUs 

in the Department of Education budget for next year, including $72 million 

in new discretionary funding for HBCUs. In addition, my Administration 

has proposed approximately $167 million in new mandatory funding for 

HBCUs and to provide 2 years of subsidized tuition and expand programs 

in high-demand fields at HBCUs. 

I today signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Initiative 

on Advancing Educational Equity, Opportunity, and Excellence through Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which will create a Governmentwide approach to support the needs of HBCUs and the communities they 

serve and eliminate systemic barriers impeding HBCU participation in Federal programs. 

This is only the beginning of our work to support HBCUs and the remarkable 

students they empower and grow. This week and every week, we will 

continue to celebrate and advance the historic and ongoing success of our 

HBCUs—because we know that their success is America’s success. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 5 through 

September 11, 2021, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities 

Week. I call upon educators, public officials, professional organizations, 

corporations, and all Americans to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that acknowledge the countless contributions these institutions and their alumni have made to our country. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 172 / Thursday, September 9, 2021 / Presidential Documents 50435 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of 

September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortysixth. 

[FR Doc. 2021–19575 

Filed 9–8–21; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F1–P 


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