The Biden administration is showing their solidarity with the country’s HBCUs by offering funding for mental health resources and security training.
The new measures are in response to bomb threats that HBCUs across the country have recently received. The White House held an event on Wednesday in the South Court Auditorium to address the numerous bomb threats that have left Historically Black Colleges and Universities rattled this year. Vice President Kamala Harris was joined by other officials including Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Deputy John Tien to announce how they plan to support students and faculty members.
“Every American should be able to learn, work, worship, and gather without fear. It is our duty to do everything we can to protect all our communities from harm against any one of our communities,” Harris stated.
The initiative includes “Project Serve Grants,” which will provide up to $150,000 for each institution that received the threats. The funds can be used to provide mental health professionals and enhance campus security to ensure students and staff are protected mentally and physically when these racially motivated threats arise. The Department of Education is working closely with HBCUs to meet their individual needs.
Since January, 80 anonymous bomb threats have been made against various HBCUs, including Howard University and Florida A&M University.
