Governor Kay Ivey announced on social media on Wednesday that she has signed a proclamation declaring October as HBCU Month in the state of Alabama.
“Our 14 HBCUs are a cornerstone of excellence, shaping leaders who strengthen our state and nation,” Ivey said. “Alabama is proud to celebrate their legacy and support the students who call these institutions home.”
HBCU Month celebrates the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and “promotes higher education through increased public awareness of the celebration of the tremendous economic, cultural, and social impact of HBCUs in our state,” according to the proclamation.
This marks the third straight year that Governor Ivey has signed a proclamation declaring October as HBCU Month in Alabama.
In 2022, Alabama became the first U.S. state to declare an entire month dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Alabama is home to 14 HBCUs, the most of any state. They include:
- Alabama A&M University (Huntsville)
- Alabama State University (Montgomery)
- Bishop State Community College (Mobile)
- Gadsden State Community College
- J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College (Huntsville)
- Lawson State Community College (Birmingham/Bessemer)
- Miles College (Fairfield)
- Oakwood University (Huntsville)
- Selma University
- Shelton State Community College (Tuscaloosa)
- Stillman College (Tuscaloosa)
- Talladega College
- Trenholm State Community College (Montgomery)
- Tuskegee University
In her proclamation, Governor Ivey highlighted the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs’ HBCU Initiative and the Alabama HBCU Co-Op Program, both of which are targeted at maximizing the economic impact and sustainability of the state’s HBCUs and establishes “a pipeline of diverse talent to join Alabama’s workforce.”
The proclamation also acknowledges the state’s HBCUs for their top-performing STEM departments and programs.
