Black women have had to struggle against not only racism but also sexism throughout American history. They also have faced more challenges than most when pursuing a college education. The June 2023 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to ban of race-conscious college admissions is expected to exacerbate this reality for Black women, resulting in reduced access to higher education.
This report from The Century Foundation and the Mary Jane Legacy Project examines the lived experiences of Black women as they pursue and persist through college. The study focuses on Black women who take traditional routes to college immediately following high school, as well as re-entry women, justice-involved women, community college attendees, transwomen, and adult learners.
The report concludes with a set of recommendations designed to bolster Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well to support the pursuit of a degree no matter which institution Black women attend.