As an alumna of Howard University, HBCUs are very important to Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and on Tuesday the 2020 presidential candidate secured a big win for HBCUs after the Senate passed a bill she introduced to restore and improve on historic buildings and sites at these schools.
The bipartisan bill was introduced by Harris and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and sought to reauthorize the Historically Black College and Universities Historic Preservation Program, which would give funding for grants that would restore the historic buildings and sites on HBCU campuses that have deteriorated over time and may be forever lost if not preserved and protected.
“I am thrilled that the Senate has passed my bill to reauthorize a program to protect and preserve historic HBCU buildings and sites like the ones I came to love during my time at Howard University,” Harris said in a press release. “I am hopeful that we can get this signed into law so that HBCUs across the country can begin these vital improvement projects as soon as possible.”
The bill is supported by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the UNCF and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Just last week, while on the campaign trail, Harris participated in a Thurgood Marshall Collge Fund fireside chat on the importance of sustaining HBCUs and how to keep their students competitive and prepared for today’s world.
“I often say there are two things that shaped who I am today: my mother and my family and Howard University,” Harris said at the fireside chat. “Being at Howard University meant I knew I was interested in public policy.”
By Breanna Edwards of ESSENCE Magazine
