This is a guest opinion column
In 1840, Alexis de Tocqueville, in the text “Democracy In America,’ described a concept often called enlightened self-interest. In it he argues that people shouldn’t engage in self sacrifice because it is noble, but that “such sacrifices are as necessary to him who imposes them upon himself, as to him for whose sake they are made.” In short, de Tocqueville says the idea is we make self-sacrifices because they are necessary for both the one who makes the sacrifice as well as the one who benefits.
Just twenty-five years later, two former enslaved men, William Savery and Thomas Tarrant, began working to ensure the education of young people. Within two years they partnered with General Wager Swayne, the Freedmen’s Bureau, and the American Missionary Association, and a school opened in 1867, becoming Talladega College in 1869. This history is mirrored by historically Black colleges and universities all around the country. A diverse coalition of people, with an enlightened self-interest mindset, founded and funded these institutions which have added so much to this nation.
Unfortunately, over time fewer people have adopted Swayne’s, a white Northerner’s, enlightened self-interest. Consequently, HBCUs, which benefited during their founding from this mindset, have been severely underfunded. State governments have cheated land grant HBCUs, as noted by Forbes in 2022, approximately $13 billion over the past three decades. A 2023 study by the Association of Black Foundation Executives and Candid, found that “large American foundations steadily decreased their support of HBCUs between 2002 and 2019.” HBCUs were awarded $65 million in 2002, but by 2019 it decreased to $45 million, or by 30%.
I arrived at Talladega College less than 90 days ago to serve as the interim president. With over 17 years of HBCU presidential experience, I believe challenges we currently face, while significant, can be resolved over time. It is not a quick fix. But we’re building new practices and processes, starting to change the culture to ensure we create not just a sustainable college, but a vibrant one that is thriving.
That’s why we held our recent press conference to openly share the challenges we are experiencing. We shared that in less than 90 days we have been able to reduce monthly payroll expenses by almost 30%. We’ve partnered with UNCF to reorganize our fundraising efforts. We have conducted our own studies to determine weaknesses in operations. Simply stated, we are interrogating our reality so that we can honestly say where we are, and then correct course.
Many people will simply shrug their shoulders and say, “Why should I care? Do we even need Talladega College?’ I worry that there may be a spirit that is numb to our plight, apparently without much heartburn, because nationally we are seeing institutions close. Locally, the closing of Birmingham Southern has not only an economic impact but creates a void in new energy from students, and the expertise of faculty and staff.
The UNCF study, “Transforming Futures: The Economic Engine of HBCUs,” released last week shows the impact of this under-resourced sector which has a $16.5 billion economic impact annually. In Alabama, HBCUs produce directly and indirectly 13,434 jobs with a $1.4 billion economic impact. And in rural Talladega, the College’s $27.8 million economic impact is significant. Our 2021 graduates will collectively earn over $400 million annually, or 77% more than they could expect to earn without their college credentials.
I have experienced these under-resourced institutions doing more with less. But the lack of investment in HBCUs, and in higher education, limits the possibilities of students, families, and communities. We’ve achieved a great deal despite underfunding. But the time has come for an investment.
It starts with alumni, who must turn their audible love into tangible resources. It continues with lawmakers voting to support programs that benefit all students, but especially those at HBCUs like Pell grants and work study. It must include philanthropists and foundations who must stop funding schools with obscene levels of wealth and wealthy students.
In short, we must adopt an enlightened self-interest. Whether you attended Talladega or not, it is in our collective interest to see it thrive. By supporting the College during this tough period, you provide us with the support needed to correct past mistakes while simultaneously supporting new initiatives to solve problems.
When we all see Talladega College as ours, the nation benefits.
Walter M. Kimbrough is interim president of Talladega College
