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Abstract

In 1987, economist Barbara A.P. Jones centered her National Economic Association Presidential Address on the status of economics departments at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Using the New Moton Guide to American Colleges with a Black Heritage: 1982–1983, she discovered that slightly more than 50 of these institutions include economics as a major field of study. Dr. Jones speaks on various aspects of economics programs at HBCUs, from placement (business school or college of arts and sciences [COAS]), curricula, and degrees (BS, BA, BBA), faculty (both in terms of doctoral studies and ethnicity), and student outcomes as they relate to the stated goals of the NEA of increasing the supply of Black economists. While there are numerous studies, articles, and reports regarding the status and importance of HBCUs to the education of Black American students, little focus has been placed specifically on economics programs as these institutions. This article considers the production of economics baccalaureate degrees at HBCU economics programs to assess their actual and potential role in increasing and diversifying the supply of Black economists.

Keywords

diversity HBCUs pipeline

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HBCUs and Economics—A Crucial Step in the Pipeline

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