Abstract
Black women entrepreneurs have invested in and supported HBCUs since their inception. Communication and technologies are not neutral carriers of information, but transport messages that are embedded in histories of capitalism, exploitation, and inequality. Black women social entrepreneurs view education as a liberating force, with the potential to bring equality within social and political culture. This study will investigate (1) the role of HBCUs in broadband internet access, (2) distance learning at HBCUs, (3) Black women entrepreneurs as charitable givers, and (4) Black alumnae social networking for economic gains. Findings will identify how Black women social entrepreneurs can develop strategies for broadband digital connectivity in conjunction with HBCUs, where digital media communication technologies are used for instruction.
TopBackground
According to Gasman, Abiola and Freeman (2014), HBCUs were initially funded by religious organizations, White philanthropic groups and the U.S. government, particularly as a result of the passage of legislation such as the 1890 Morrill Land-Grant Act. The same economic gaps that were prevalent a century ago between HBCUs and predominately White institutions (PWIs) continue in 2020, as demonstrated by the pervasive differences that exist regarding the way digital media fiber optic technology privileges wealthy universities. HBCUs are credited with graduating over 20 percent of the Black college graduates within the United States, with seven out of ten of the degrees from these institutions being earned by women (Gasman, Abiola, & Freeman, 2014). In response to the increase in female enrollments from the 1990s to the early 2000s, gender parity has been increasingly studied. Although gender gap increases at HBCUs had not been explored widely by policymakers and researchers, individual and institutional challenges resulted from decreased availability of scholarships. These economic trends exacerbated the existing gender parity issues, which suggests that as more females enroll at HBCUs, women will increasingly need to carry a greater burden in funding these institutions through charitable alumni giving.
Allen, Jewell, Griffin and Wolf (2007) have described how HBCUs influence Black culture, improve the life of Black communities, and prepare future Black leaders to change people, their neighborhoods and the world. HBCUs developed leaders who were social change agents. Black women leaders have hoped to empower and inspire the vulnerable through charitable giving within historical organizations. In the early years following the founding of such historical schools, many Black colleges were funded by churches, such as the American Missionary Association, Disciples of Christ and African Methodist Episcopal Church (Allen et al., 2007). HBCUs initially struggled, having been provided with little or no federal or state funding. This required them to rely heavily upon White philanthropic organizations and missionary societies to sustain themselves financially and to provide services to the Black community (Allen et al.).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs): Higher education that was designed for minorities to be developed for careers, including historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and Hispanic serving institutions (HSIs).
Distance Learning: Online instruction that is either synchronous (structured virtual video/teleconferencing and chat rooms) or asynchronous (web-based with discussion boards, recording videos, and documents, emails, and announcements).
Digital Divide: Technology inequities in tangible access to devices and connectivity services. The intersection of multiple oppressions increase the power differentials for the most vulnerable groups to remain on the periphery or excluded from information communication technologies.
Alabama State University: A public, four-year HBCU located in Montgomery, Alabama. The institution was founded as the Lincoln Normal School in 1867 by nine formerly enslaved men, now known as the Marion Nine. This diverse teaching and research university is committed to service, with a focus on outreach beyond the ivory tower.
Alumnae: Two are more female college graduates are known as alumnae. This classifies the sexes separately, particularly when discussing women’s organizations and sororities, rather than male only or a combination of women and men who are called alumni.
Charitable Giving: Philanthropists and social entrepreneurs are terms that often describe charitable givers who contribute to community organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits that serve people who are in need. Kind acts of service improve social conditions in the world through the sharing of surplus resources or wealth with others who are less fortunate.
Development: Colleges in the U.S. fundraise through donor and alumni giving initiatives. Strategies are designed to cultivate charitable programs and campaigns to increase endowments to support the mission of higher education institutions.
Internet Connectivity: Wireless broadband services that connect communication products across the globe.
FCC: The Federal Communications Commission is a U.S. government agency that regulates radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across states and nationally to align with communications law and new media innovation.
Broadband Access: High-speed internet that is an essential utility for communication across technological tools to remain culturally connected in society. These digital services have been costly and inaccessible for the many vulnerable communities.