This book addresses some of the issues of equity and equality for Black undergraduates in higher education during the latter years of the twentieth century. It provides analyses of black students' experiences and performance at predominantly white colleges as well as Black colleges, and also examines the role of federal and state governments as well as private interest groups in achieving equity for blacks in higher education. Offering a contemporary perspective on the issues confronting colleges and universities as they strive to obtain equity for minorities, this timely work offers recommendations based on recent research that will assist them in achieving some of their goals. The book concentrates on postsecondary education and considers such topics as academic performance and experience; improving preparation for post-collegiate experiences; improving preparation for academic and professional careers in the scientific disciplines; expanding the role of the federal and state governments; and developing an agenda for private interest group involvement in achieving equality for Blacks in higher education.

COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated entrenched inequities spawned by the historical and structural reality of bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, and inequity in all forms, and at institutional and individual levels. It is perceived that higher education institutions also perpetuates these inequities, which is fuelled by prevailing misconceptions, such as "college should be limited to the privileged few"; or that "community colleges are in some way 'inferior'." Recognizing Promise re-establishes the role community colleges can play in reversing centuries of racial and gender disparities in economic wealth, health, education, and life expectancy stemming from current and historical policies and practices that sustain structural racism. The result is a more civic-minded, educated citizenry and a stronger workforce of tomorrow. Educators in the community college space, in partnership with business, industry and philanthropic leaders, can lead the way in reasserting commitment toward eradicating racism and sustaining reform that advocates inclusive excellence, educational access and programmatic diversity, and the alignment of learning with opportunities in the workplace.