For some time now, HBCUs have been struggling. It is no secret that many institutions have financial issues preventing them from running at total capacity. HBCUs’ struggles are often attributed to a lack of funding, quick president turnover, and boards that have set unrealistic expectations for their presidents. The assumption is that the problems are macro. I argue that although there is merit in the commonly held beliefs as to what holds these institutions back, these widely held excuses do not tell the whole story. Having worked at an HBCU and being exposed to leadership regimes that have worked at other HBCUs’, I see a trend.
Black people struggle to lead; this may be a controversial opinion, but by the end of this blog, it will make sense. I love my Black people, but the collectivistic nature of Black people does not translate well into business. Many Blacks tend to operate from the premise that “you are your brother’s keeper.” This buddy system leads to Black people’s demise because, as in most families, not all the members are fit to lead. However, this does not stop Black people from routinely doing favors by handing jobs to family, friends, butt-kissers, and in some cases, lovers.
What this tells us about many HBCUs is that a morality issue impedes the institution’s success. Talented individuals who have served the institution can be discarded so that unfit brethren can get a shot at leadership. This Jefferson’s “we moving on up” buddy system is an overlooked aspect of what also impedes HBCUs from gaining the success they could have at the micro-level. Customer service and employee retention are never to be underestimated. One would think the critical position most HBCUs occupy would encourage the preservation of the best and brightest minds, but this is not what is happening.
Personality-driven leaders overwhelmingly run HBCUs. These individuals are often power-hungry and reward those who play into their personalities and egos. Workers routinely witness fellow employees at entry, and mid-level positions discarded for no reason other than the new administration had someone else in mind for the job. This other person is generally less experienced and, in many cases, not the slightest clue of what they are doing. I have even heard stories of individuals unknowingly training their replacements. What many leaders at HBCUs are doing is lowering the morale of their workers.
Before long, no one really enjoys working at these institutions, but Blacks understand the likelihood of being hired in a leadership capacity at PWIs is unlikely. Mostly, the workers are stressed because they know that opportunities are few, and at any minute, they could get the pink slip and be led out by security or, if they are fortunate, be allowed to quit on their own. For stakeholders to think that depressed workers would not impact student retention is an unfortunate oversight on their part.
The lack of accountability higher leadership has for the mismanagement and mistreatment of the entry, and mid-level employees hurts these institutions because employees cannot work at their full capacities carrying around such burdens. If they are not motivated, it will be reflected in their output. Virtually no one will be willing to go the extra mile for a company they do not feel values them. It is time that these institutions stop being run like kingdoms and more like colleges where hierarchy does not overshadow the mission of providing quality education to all students.
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