Thousands of Black students nationwide are increasingly choosing Atlanta’s HBCUs, and Breeden is one among them. The inflow, according to school officials, is caused, at least in part, by Black students’ desire to be in environments where they feel comfortable and supported and their worries about a political atmosphere that many of them find unacceptable. Black families are increasingly exploring HBCUs in the wake of the 2020 murder of George Floyd, the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned affirmative action, and conservative backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Under the auspices of the United Negro College Fund, leaders from several dozen HBCUs throughout the country convened in Atlanta this week to deliberate on ways to improve their institutions.
Former Morehouse president David A. Thomas Jr. stated in January, months before he announced his retirement, “I think there’s a shift in attitude among Black people [where] they much more see the value of having their children in an environment that embraces them and that doesn’t prompt them to question themselves.”
In 2025, Morehouse received a record 6,224 applications. About 3,400 more persons applied to CAU this year than the previous one. Since regaining accreditation three years ago, attendance at Morris Brown College has been rising consistently.
Spelman got a record-breaking 13,000 applications in 2022. The small liberal arts college recognized its low acceptance rate (which has decreased from 53% to 24% since 2020) and made a deliberate attempt to lower that figure by adding an essay to its application process. Although the number of applications has subsequently stabilized, it seems that interest in the school has not. Twelve percent of Spelman College applicants eventually enrolled five years ago. The percentage increased to 24% last year.
According to Chelsea Holley, director of admissions at the all-female private school, “that’s pretty substantial growth in our business.” We do believe that’s a result of Black families’ reactions to current political times. Much of it has to do with providing their children with a comfortable environment where they feel supported and understood.
Ben Gray of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is credited.
Ben Gray of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is credited.
According to Holley, counselors at high schools with a large white student body are contacting Spelman to let him know that their African American pupils are very interested in learning more about HBCUs. These are first-hand accounts from (Black) households. For example, I don’t want to have the same feelings I did in high school here at college.
High-achieving Black students frequently discover that they are the only Black person in their lab or college class, according to Breeden. That’s what your peers think of you and your label. He said, “You’re the Black guy.” However, that doesn’t exist at an HBCU. You are but another pupil. A greater feeling of equity is present.
Morris Brown’s current marketing strategies and affordability have contributed to the school’s enrollment growth. However, the deconstruction of DEI and other political structures has also contributed to the rise in interest in attending Black universities, according to President Kevin E. James.
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Enrollment has remained stagnant despite an increase in Morehouse applicants. There is a limit to how many kids the school can accommodate. Higher expectations for acceptance result from this. The admittance rate was 60% in 2022. Since then, it has decreased annually, falling to 33% this autumn.
The college is aggressively seeking the greatest and brightest African American boys in the nation, according to Admissions Director Michael Gumm, and those candidates should aim for Morehouse.
Gumm stated that all Black males ought to think like that. Although it’s a very powerful remark, we emphasize it in our marketing. Just as Morehouse is thinking about you, you should be thinking about him.
