Alma S. Adams
US House of Representatives, North Carolina-12
“Dr. Rose has written a well-researched book on the incredible history of these great American Institutions, our HBCUs. I know that their future progress will require a historic reinvestment to IGNITE their continued success. We understand the journey ahead and greatly benefit from scholarly works like this to further guide our path.”
Theda Skocpol
Harvard University, and Director, Scholars Strategy Network
“Since the days of slavery and in the face of daunting obstacles, African Americans have endeavored to build schools, support colleges, and attain educational excellence–and no group has done more to deploy individual educational gains to strengthen democracy for all Americans. Deondra Rose’s pathbreaking new book tells this story in an empirically rich, humanly vivid, and civically inspiring way. The Power of Black Excellence is sure to prove compelling not just to students and scholars but to policymaker and citizens who want to understand how higher education can propel the public good.”
Domingo Morel
New York University, and author of Developing Scholars
“Scholars have paid little attention to understanding the politics of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this brilliantly researched and written book, Deondra Rose shows how HBCUs have been instrumental in creating mechanisms to challenge white supremacy and fostering civic and political engagement among Black Americans. The Power of Black Excellence is an important contribution to the study of race politics, higher education politics and policy, and American political development.”
Jacob S. Hacker
Stanley B. Resor Professor of Political Science, Yale University
“Long seen as engines of economic progress for Black Americans, HCBUs are also–according to Deondra Rose’s informed and timely book–engines of engaged, impactful Black citizenship. A vital contribution to both political science scholarship and America’s fraught conversation about multi-racial democracy.”
Dianne Pinderhughes
Rev. Edmund P. Joyce C.S.C. Professor of Africana Studies and Political Science, University of Notre Dame
“The Power of Black Excellence is an important exploration of the significant role played by Historically Black Colleges and Universities in American public life. Based on quantitative and qualitative primary data, Rose argues that these institutions have been and remain ‘pathways to democratic engagement.’ Rose shows in extraordinary detail how HBCUs produced generations of educators, physicians, and leaders capable of addressing the needs of Black communities at the local and national level. Without HBCUS’ cultivation of Black leaders, Rose explains, there would be no Thurgood Marshall, Ella Baker, Andrew Young, or Martin Luther King. Rose’s powerful work provides an unusual analysis and understanding of their institutional roles in advancing the political interests of African Americans. It is a work of outstanding importance.”
Kimberley Johnson
Professor of Social & Cultural Analysis, NYU College of Arts & Sciences
“Rose’s book makes a groundbreaking case that HBCUs matter as both centers of Black American higher education and social mobility, but also as places where the promise of American democracy is both contested and reaffirmed. Counter to most histories of Black higher education and theories of American political development, Rose highlights the key role that the federal government has played in establishing and at times, uneven support of these bulwarks of opportunity In light of the US’s most recent racial reckoning, Rose demonstrates how these centers of Black excellence have fostered generations of civically engaged graduates and Black elite leadership who continually fought for a more inclusionary American democracy.”
Joe Soss
Inaugural Cowles Chair for the Study of Public Service, University of Minnesota
“The Power of Black Excellence is a groundbreaking study of HBCUs and their political significance. The book is deeply researched and written to be accessible to a wide audience. Its chapters are brimming with insights into race, public policy, and the importance of higher education for democracy and inequality in America. Deondra Rose is an expert storyteller and an incisive political analyst, with a humane appreciation for the complex conditions that shape people’s lives and choices. She has brought all of these talents and more to bear in a project that illuminates grinding injustices and inspiring achievements in equal measure. I highly recommend it.”
James E. Clyburn
US House of Representatives, South Carolina-6, and Assistant Democratic Leader
“In this important and timely work, Deondra Rose expertly explores how HBCUs have functioned as incubators for many Black Americans to acquire and develop the invaluable knowledge, skills, and sense of community necessary to build successful businesses, political careers, and drive movements for societal change. A must-read to fully understand and appreciate the important role these institutions play in preparing the next generation of young leaders.”
