Mon Sep 16 16:19:03 UTC 2024: ## US Education Secretary Delivers Powerful Speech at HBCU Conference, Emphasizing Excellence and Equity
**Philadelphia, PA** – In a fiery speech delivered at the White House Initiative on HBCUs annual conference in Philadelphia, US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona celebrated the achievements of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and outlined the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to supporting their continued success.
Cardona lauded HBCUs for their dedication to student success, highlighting a heartwarming anecdote about a Clark Atlanta University professor who offered one-on-one tutoring to a graduating student who was the only one enrolled in a course. He emphasized that “HBCUs go the extra mile for their students,” echoing the administration’s efforts to prioritize HBCUs through record-breaking investments exceeding $16 billion.
The Secretary highlighted the significant impact of these funds, from emergency aid for students during the pandemic to new grants for research and development at HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). He also celebrated the administration’s focus on teacher preparation programs, including a visit to Bowie State University where he observed a program with 50 Black male teachers.
Cardona acknowledged the challenges facing the education system, including the persistent achievement gap and the need to address mental health issues in underserved communities. He announced the allocation of $2 billion to prevent violence, promote positive school cultures, and train new mental health professionals in schools.
Addressing the pressing need for more teachers of color, Cardona emphasized the administration’s efforts to create new pathways to teaching, including teacher apprenticeships and salary increases. He also highlighted the success of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which has provided nearly $70 billion in debt relief for educators and other public servants.
Cardona passionately denounced the forces seeking to dismantle public education, including efforts to ban books, silence educators, and roll back affirmative action. He condemned those who advocate for “division, inequity, and exclusion” instead of embracing the diversity that strengthens America.
He closed his speech by calling for a united effort to “keep alive the dreams of those who endured a hell of a lot more than us,” urging attendees to embrace the power of diversity and work together to build a more equitable future for all.
First Piper 