Alabama Senator Says $1 Billion Set Aside for HBCUs in COVID-19 Relief Legislation

DALLAS - March 31, 2020 - PRLog -- U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D- Ala.) said the $1.05 billion in emergency funding to HBCUs is critically needed to help these schools and the communities in which they're located, according to an exclusive interview with Thomas Joyner Jr., founder and host of The New HBCUbiquity Podcast, produced by the PodoTron Network.

Jones, Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ), the United Negro College Fund and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund jointly worked together to lobby to get the funds included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) passed last week, which also will help tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs). Jones said that he hopes the funds will be made available within the next few weeks, primarily for capital projects to help these schools continue to make improvements to these campuses.

"The goal is getting this money to these schools that need it," Jones said. "[HBCUs] are going to get hit harder than bigger schools who can tap into their endowments, and [these funds] will be a way to help the communities they serve."

Jones told Joyner that HBCUs are "amazing".

"They are the real fabric of their communities," Jones said. "They provide so many opportunities for those who would not have gotten those opportunities. So many doctors, lawyers, engineers and professionals who come out of HBCUs that started their education, maybe on a PELL Grant, came out of these schools."

Jones explained that the funding provides two important things: An economic driver for the state and those communities in which they're located because they are a tremendous source of pride. "Beyond the sporting events, there is such a deeply held feeling for these HBCUs among those who've graduated from there," Jones said.  "It's given minority populations the ability to build generational wealth that they might not otherwise get. It's just so important we continue all we can do at the federal and state level to support them. But also, to encourage kids to look at these HBCUs, to go and attend because it's an incredible, incredible experience."

About the New HBCUbiquity Podcast
The New HBCUbiquity Podcast (http://www.podotron.com/show/new-hbcubiquity/), produced by Podotron, is a weekly podcast that offers in-depth, honest and straightforward conversations with administrators, faculty, students, celebrities and experts about the future of HBCUs, fundraising, accreditation, student recruitment and enrollment.  You can find the podcast on all your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Deezer.

About PodoTron Network
PodoTron is a podcast network that helps people who want to launch their own podcast, and become part of a community of 'PodoTroners' that are refining their brands by connecting through our network. PodoTron has a team of experienced producers and marketers who help take podcasts from concept to reality. Its motto is, "Everyone has a story, we help you tell it." The show produces nearly two dozen shows, including "The New HBCUBiquity," Business mavens, LaVida Samuels and Karen Smiths' "Biz Besteez", Deya Direct's "Super PowHer," and Martial Arts Athlete and Announcer Antonio Perkins' " Come On In". Learn more at PodoTron.com.