Why Boston’s Bold HBCU Proposal Is Stirring Hope

Why Boston’s Bold HBCU Proposal Is Stirring Hope originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

In a city known globally for its elite universities, there’s one glaring omission: Boston has never been home to a Historically Black College or University. That could soon change, and the implications stretch far beyond education.

For the first time, Boston leaders are working to bring an HBCU satellite campus to the city. And for many Black residents, athletes, educators, and alumni of HBCUs across the country, it’s more than overdue, it’s a chance to reshape the city’s narrative.

Council Vice President Brian Worrell led the call, urging city leaders during a recent hearing to make the long-awaited idea real. “An HBCU presence would provide role models for current Black students by showing them a tangible pathway to success,” Worrell said during the Boston City Council meeting. “Boston led the way in educating Black students in the first half of the 19th century… We need to rediscover that trailblazing spirit.”

Worrell isn’t just talking about tradition, he’s talking about transformation.

The City That Educated, Then Forgot

Back in 1835, Boston opened the Abiel Smith School, the first public school for Black children in the country. Today, the city boasts over 35 colleges and universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Boston University, but none with a historically Black identity.

And that contrast hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Cory McCarthy, Boston Public Schools’ Chief of Student Support, has seen the momentum build from the ground up. “The appetite for an HBCU has grown immensely within the last five years,” McCarthy said. “Bringing an HBCU to Boston would further showcase the city’s commitment to building an educational ecosystem that values, supports, and elevates Black students.”

There are more than 100 HBCUs in the U.S., with nearly all located in the South, a product of segregation-era policies. Yet these institutions punch far above their weight. While they represent only 3% of U.S. colleges, they produce:

• 40% of Black engineers

• 50% of Black lawyers and doctors

• 70% of Black dentists

• 80% of Black judges

• And 17% of all Black college graduates nationwide

Those aren’t just numbers. That’s impact.

For HBCU sports fans, the potential expansion brings new layers of meaning. Think about the recruiting pipelines. The cultural pride. The regional exposure. Picture a Howard-Bethune-Cookman showdown played in Boston, or a track phenom from Roxbury choosing an HBCU after seeing its presence locally.

Right now, most HBCU athletes grow up hundreds of miles away from their school’s legacy. Bringing that culture to the Northeast changes that equation.

A Statement in the Face of Resistance

Worrell said the push is in direct response to “recent national pushback” against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. His message is clear: If some places are rolling back progress, Boston can step forward.

Still, questions remain. Which HBCU would be willing to establish a presence in Boston? Would the city fund new facilities, or lease space at existing schools? Could athletics eventually follow academics?

Nothing is certain yet. But for now, the conversation alone is stirring pride, and expectations, from coast to coast.

This move could give Boston more than just a new school. It could give the city an identity shift, and give HBCU sports a brand-new audience.

It’s about time.

Related: CIAA’s Under Armour Deal Signals Big Win for HBCU Sports

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.