SALISBURY, N.C. — The FBI continues to investigate a series of bomb threats directed at historically Black colleges and universities across the U.S.

What You Need To Know

  • More than 20 HBCUs have received bomb threats, including N.C. Central University in Durham

  • No explosive devices have been found, according to the FBI

  • Livingstone College’s senior vice president says campus safety protocols have been stepped up

At least 14 HBCUs reported threats on Feb. 1. The threats come after seven other HBCUs, including North Carolina Central University in Durham, were targets of similar threats in January.

No explosive devices have been found, according to the FBI. Still, it’s putting students and staff at North Carolina HBCUs on high alert.

“It’s saddening,” said Livingstone College’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Anthony J. Davis. “Why would someone want to target an institution or a group of institutions that have done so much for so many, with so little?”

Livingstone is a private, historically Black college in Salisbury.

While no threats have been made against Livingstone, Davis says they’re not taking any chances. The school is increasing campus safety protocols for students and staff.

Davis says the school checks each visitor’s ID, makes sure every car that passes through the gated community is registered with the college and conducts safety checks with metal detectors.

“Protocols are meant to be preventative,” Davis said. “We wanted to…take a look at what’s happening around us and make sure that we’re doing everything possible so it doesn’t happen on the campus of Livingstone College.”

Davis says a threat against one HBCU is a threat against all.

“When someone makes a bomb threat on an institution because of one letter in the acronym — historically ‘Black’ colleges and universities…we knew that’s just another form of hate,” Davis said. “But guess what, we have resilience and a resolve where we’ll continue executing our mission with excellence because we recognize what’s at stake."

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Davis says to combat hate, people need a better understanding of why HBCUs were formed and why they remain an integral part of our country.

“To the extent that we can educate a broader community where they understand the HBCU in its proper context,” Davis said. “I think that will change attitudes and build awareness as it relates to who we are, who we serve and the contributions we make.”

Other North Carolina HBCUs are responding to the bomb threats. 

In a statement, officials with Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte say they haven’t received threats, but they’re working with local law enforcement:

“The safety of our campus is among our highest priorities. JCSU Campus Police is patrolling the campus consistently and monitoring the campus closely. We are readying our resources and reviewing our bomb threat protocols.” 

The FBI says no arrests have been made in connection with the threats.