LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Leaders of Kentucky’s only “Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU),” Kentucky State University and Simmons College, are answering a call from the governor. 

What You Need To Know


  • Partnerships with Historically Black Colleges & Universities in Kentucky

  • Help recruit more Black teachers for our community

  • JCPS superintendent says the partnerships are crucial

  • Mayor urges everyone to support HBCU
 

Last week Governor Andy Beshear (D) asked these institutions to recruit more African American teachers to eventually teach Kentucky students. 

“The minute you start investing in Black institutions that have a proven track record of success like Kentucky State and Simmons is the minute you are saying to the Black community you are a part of the future of this city,” Simmons College President Dr. Kevin Cosby told reporters Monday. 

During the recent weeks of protests and demonstrations, much has been said of the racial and economic injustices prevalent in predominantly African American communities including Louisville’s west end neighborhoods. 

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said educationally these communities have been dealt an injustice by not having more Black teachers in Louisville schools. 

“And I’ll be clear, Polio said, “Right now we have over 35 percent of our students in JCPS are African American and less than 15 percent of our teachers are African American and as was stated the research was very clear that when African American students have teachers that reflect them, achievement increases.” 

He went on to say, “The power of an HBCU...when we talk about recruiting African American teachers to the district and we have one right here in this city. And so this partnership with Simmons College of Kentucky has been so important and we are going to get better.”

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer (D) also spoke Monday supporting a call to action for local, state, and federal governments, private citizens, and corporations to pledge donation dollars to HBCU’s in the same way other universities are so widely endowed.

''The question is will White America, will White Kentucky, will White Louisville wake up are we really a land of just and equality for everyone. The burden of racism has been on our Black community and it’s the responsibility of the White community to turn toward the Black community and to pull this country out to what it really can be,” Fischer said.