The Higher Education Act of 1965 defines a historically black college as any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964 with the principal mission of educating black Americans. These institutions must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association, as determined by the Secretary of Education. The Act also ensures direct federal grants to historically black colleges and universities, and federal matching of private endowment contributions.
Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was the first institution of higher learning dedicated to educating people of African ancestry. The first historically black colleges to grant baccalaureate degrees were Wilberforce University in Ohio and Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, both with roots tracing to the 1840s and 1850s. Most historically black colleges and universities were established in the post-Civil War period, between 1865 and 1899.
There are 105 historically black colleges and universities in 20 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These institutions include four-year public and private universities, and two-year public and private colleges. With 15, Alabama has the most historically black colleges and universities. The Eastern United States is home to most of these institutions, with the Oklahoma and Texas being the most westerly states with historically black colleges and universities.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter established a federal program to address discriminatory treatment of historically black colleges and universities and strengthen their capacity. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan created the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities to build on President Carter's commitment. This initiative has been housed in the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Education since 2002, having been previously at the Department's Office of Postsecondary Education.