FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November  13, 2019

Contact: Joshua Harris [email protected]

Statement on HBCU’s v. Maryland 

Prince George’s County Educators Stand in Support of Maryland HBCU’s

Prince George’s County, MD: Today the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus (LBC) held a rally in Annapolis to demand a fair settlement for the four Maryland Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). U.S. District Court of Maryland has ruled in favor of Maryland HBCU’s determining that they have been woefully underfunded and duplication of programs by predominantly. white institutions that continued to operate a de jure system of discrimination against HBCUs. The Maryland LBC has proposed a settlement that would be fair to all the institutions. PGCEA President Theresa Mitchell Dudley released the following statement:

“The National Education Association Convention adopted a resolution in support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s)”, said Dudley. “As an association, we know that much of the educator diversity that we see in our classrooms come from educators who have attended HBCU’s. If we want to continue to ensure that we have diverse educators we must fully support our HBCU’s in the state of Maryland and beyond.” 

“Prince George’s County is home to one of the four HBCU’s in the state and the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association is proud to stand in solidarity with Bowie State and all four of the HBCU’s in Maryland.” 

Background: National Education Association (NEA) Resolution:

Resolution:

A-10. Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The National Education Association recognizes that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) continue to play a vital role in helping Americans in their efforts toward building a truly pluralistic society.

The Association believes that the programs of HBCUs should continue to be reviewed and updated so that they maintain diverse and quality faculties and student bodies.

The Association urges its affiliates to be in the forefront of all efforts that seek to support, maintain, and promote these invaluable institutions, their programs, and their full participation in the mainstream of education. The Association also believes that closing, downgrading, or merging HBCUs is not in the best interest of the educational community. (1980, 2016)

Details of the lawsuit can be found here.

If you would like to more information or to request an interview with PGCEA President Theresa Dudley, contact Joshua Harris  [email protected]