‘Protect the pipeline’: HBCU leaders and alumni unite in Miami to defend Black excellence

By Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times

On a rainy, humid Saturday, July 12, at Florida Memorial University, the 9th Annual South Florida HBCU Picnic drew hundreds of alumni, families, educators and students under one rallying cry: “Protect the pipeline.”

Beneath the vibrant displays of Greek paraphernalia, music, scholarship giveaways and proud reunions, a deeper urgency simmered. Against the backdrop of attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, the marginalization of Black narratives, and the quiet gutting of federal HBCU support, this year’s picnic was more than a celebration — it was a call to action.

“This is what we’re supposed to do as a community,” said Matthew A. Pigatt, former mayor of Opa-locka and HBCU Picnic co-founder. “Coming together to support the next generation, it just shows us the power of community, of support, and making sure the next generation is supported financially through scholarships and by seeing who we are.”

Silence around HBCUs 

Pigatt, along with co-founders Melody Miller and attorney Josh Jones, launched the picnic in 2015 not just to throw a party, but to build a movement. In 2024, they began awarding scholarships. But this year’s theme took on sharper meaning amid political rollbacks.

While DEI rollbacks and academic freedom fights have sparked protests at Ivy League campuses, leading to $2.6 billion in grant cuts, most HBCUs have remained publicly silent. The Trump administration has pledged support for these historically Black institutions via executive orders, summits and private sector partnerships, while simultaneously cutting funding elsewhere.

Since March, more than $140 million in federal research grantshave been canceled at HBCUs, largely due to anti-DEI policies targeting racial equity research and minority-focused programs.

Pigatt has argued that HBCUs aren’t positioned to resist the same way wealthier institutions are.

“If federal or state money is withheld, leaders at Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T, or my alma mater, Morehouse, face a choice between compliance and survival,” Pigatt wrote in an op-ed published in The Miami Times earlier this year.

According to a 2019 United Negro College Fund report, 54% of HBCU revenue comes from federal and state sources, compared to one-third for predominantly white institutions, making them “susceptible to economic downturns, state divestments from higher education, or policy changes.”

But in conversation with The Miami Times, Pigatt emphasized that silence doesn’t mean passivity; rather, it reflects calculated decision-making in a fraught political environment.

“We are politically astute and aware of the times, we understand the current climate,” he said. “Throughout the ups and downs of America, we [HBCUs] exist. And this is just one of those downs of the policies and procedures in place.”

”No matter what goes on with DEI, we have to come together to make sure that our children can afford the American dream. That’s what the picnic is about,” he added.

Reclamation in action

For Miller, this year’s picnic marked a deeper shift, one marked by reclamation.

“With all the things going on in the news and changes in government, it’s important to understand that we can still support each other and make a difference without the support of government,” she said. “We are going to reclaim our dedication to our students and our HBCUs.”

What began with 10 HBCUs and 200 attendees has grown into one of the nation’s largest HBCU alumni events, featuring Black Greek-letter organizations and drawing thousands. Scholarships are funded through ticket donations.

The SFHBCU Alumni Fund raised approximately $21,000 this year — down $5,000 from last year, which Miller attributed to shifting economic conditions.

She acknowledges a mix of feelings in the current climate:

“People have lost jobs. If they were saving for their children’s college, now they have to decide whether to apply that money to survive and feed them today. Being able to provide scholarships and help ease that burden is really important.”

Still, the support was strong, with $84,000 in scholarships awarded. Florida A&M’s Miami-Dade Alumni Chapter donated $32,000; Albany State University President Dr. Robert Scott traveled to award $10,000 on the spot; Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter gave over $20,000; and North Carolina Central University provided $1,000.

Among the recipients was 18-year-old Akeen McGregor, an incoming psychology major at FMU and former student government president at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach.

“I’m blessed to receive this scholarship,” McGregor said. “This event is phenomenal. You learn the history, the culture, and how important Black excellence is.”

Jones stressed the importance of building a full pipeline, complete with scholarships, internships, jobs and mentorship.

“This is what they don’t want. It taught us that a handful of people who are already worried about their kids’ ability to continue attending HBCUs because of some of the legislation that’s passed — we need to be the ones who make that change,” he said. “Malcolm X told us, ‘Nobody is going to give you anything. If you want it, you gotta take it.’”

Pigatt agreed: “We alumni represent our institutions. It’s on us to make sure that we represent through our work, through our professions, through our donations, through our recruitment.”

Alumni speak out

Though many HBCU leaders remain quiet on today’s political climate, alumni are speaking loudly.

For Anderson Eldridge, a 1984 FMU graduate, the threat is personal.

“I’m scared in a sense, like I hope they don’t take [our schools]. If you take that away, that’s who we are,” he said. “Sometimes in the public school sector we can’t, but we can do it within our community centers, organizations. We are telling our story, so it could continue.”

Through groups like Alpha Phi Alpha’s Beta Beta Lambda Chapter, Eldridge makes scholarship donations to FMU and other HBCUs. He says events like the picnic help to “close the gap,” but alumni must do more.

Kathy Cole, a 1976 FMU graduate and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, called out the federal rollbacks bluntly.

“I just don’t think that’s the American way,” she said. “We need [events like this] because, unfortunately, the current administration is cutting funding to a lot of our schools. So we need to step up to the plate and help fund our own schools.”

Cole said her sorority supports FMU students with career closets and other resources.

A legacy that can’t be erased

For the more than 3,000 attendees at Saturday’s picnic, one truth stood tall: HBCUs are homes of Black excellence. Even in an era of erasure, their legacy endures.

Eldridge called FMU a “safe space” that gave him identity and purpose, now passed on to his granddaughters.

“I think it’s always a safe space because they get that foundation and get that personal touch like I did.”

Cole chose FMU to get the full HBCU experience in her hometown. Nearly 50 years later, she’s still showing up for her school — and for Black history.

“I’m this woman today because of Florida Memorial University,” she said. “We’re going to continue teaching [Black history]. No one can tell us what to teach and what not to teach. And I dare someone to come on this campus and say we cannot teach Black history at a historically Black university.”

McGregor said he plans to honor that legacy as a freshman.

“I do not just live in my truth. Living my truth means being a Black man growing up, starting my life in college, and making sure I stay rooted to my grounds. I know my history, I know what I’ve done in high school, and I bring that to the culture here. I have to uphold that standard.”

The event concluded with sororities dancing out and people enjoying the HBCU culture despite the rain. Founders are already planning something bigger for next year’s 10th anniversary, but the mission won’t change.

“Keep the tradition alive,” said Pigatt. “We keep it simple. Let’s bring us together to have fun and support each other.”