New Documentary Exposes HBCU Underfunding

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a pivotal role in educating Black students and fostering future leaders. However, a new documentary, “The Price of Excellence,” is bringing to light the systemic underfunding that has plagued these vital institutions for decades. This film, produced in partnership with U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams, aims to expose the stark financial disparities and their profound impact.

A Fundamental Right Under Threat

Congresswoman Adams, a staunch advocate for HBCUs, appears in the documentary’s trailer, emphasizing that the “right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental” civil right. The film, a collaboration with The Century Foundation, delves into the importance of HBCUs in propelling diverse youth in academia and beyond. Filmed entirely at North Carolina A&T University, it features personal stories from educators, students, and advocates, offering a comprehensive look at the persistent funding challenges.

Beyond personal narratives, “The Price of Excellence” examines the deep historical processes and complex data behind endowment practices, state appropriations, and funding gaps. The documentary paints a poignant picture of how these transformative institutions are hampered by the very biases they were created to address.

The Stark Reality of Funding Disparities

The financial gap between HBCUs and predominantly white institutions (PWIs) remains vast. According to the Columbia Political Review, the endowment gap stood at an astonishing 100:1 in 2024, meaning HBCUs receive only $1 for every $100 that PWIs do. Furthermore, a 2023 report revealed that land-grant HBCUs were significantly underfunded by their respective states, receiving only $1 billion compared to the $45 billion allocated to PWIs.

This underfunding persists despite HBCUs serving as crucial pipelines for Black graduates in fields like medicine, engineering, and law. While the Biden administration made significant strides with a record $17 billion allocation toward HBCUs, concerns loom about future funding, especially with potential budget cuts under the Trump administration.

A Call to Action for the Future

“The Price of Excellence” aims to raise awareness about the ongoing struggles of HBCUs and their indispensable role in the upliftment of diverse communities across America. The documentary features insights from experts like Dr. Katherine Wheatle of the Equity Research Cooperative and historian Dr. Jelani M. Favors. Director JD Jones describes the film as “both a love letter to the legacy of HBCUs—and a battle cry for their future.”

The documentary is set to premiere on September 25, with both online and in-person screenings available at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual conference.