Graham among 37 founding members of Congressional HBCU Caucus

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham (FL-02) joined Rep. Alma S. Adams (D-NC-12) and Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL-1) yesterday to launch the Bipartisan Congressional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus.

The Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus’ mission is to highlight and address unique challenges that HBCUs face; and to make sure their needs are heard and recognized on Capitol Hill. The Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus is an official caucus approved by the House Administration Committee in the 114th Congress.

“I’m proud to represent Florida A&M University, one of our state’s most historic and important universities,” Graham said. “Forming the Bipartisan Congressional Historical Black College and Universities Caucus will help Democrats and Republicans work together to represent these vital institutions across our country.”  

The purpose of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus is to promote and protect the interests of HBCUs. Together, members of the caucus, will work to create a national dialogue, educating other members of Congress and their staffs about the issues impacting HBCUs. The caucus will also work to draft meaningful bipartisan legislation to address the needs of HBCUs, and to support students and graduates of HBCUs by increasing access and career opportunities.  

“FAMU honors U.S. Rep. Graham and her colleagues who have exhibited great courage and support for our mission by forming this caucus,” said FAMU President Elmira Mangum. “For more than a hundred years, HBCUs like FAMU have served as a gateway of opportunity for underserved communities and diverse populations. I look forward to working with the caucus to advance and sustain our institution and the HBCU Community.”

There are more than 100 HBCUs in the United States that enroll more than 300,000 students per year.  HBCUs represent 3 percent of colleges and universities, yet graduate 20 percent of African Americans with undergraduate degrees – and 25 percent of African American degrees in science, technology, engineering and math fields.  Florida A&M University is the nation’s top producer of African Americans at the bachelor degree level. Read more about the university here.

There are 37 founding members of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus. Current Members include: Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), David Price (D-NC), Mark Walker (R-NC), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Mo Brooks (R-AL), John Lewis (D-GA), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Randy Forbes (R-VA), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Corrine Brown (D-FL), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Gwen Graham (D-FL), Lacy Clay (D-MO) Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Jared Polis (D-CO), Mark Veasey (D-TX), Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Walter Jones (R-NC).