New report explores decades-long decline in Black male student college enrollment

Dr. Darryl Holloman, the vice president for student affairs at Spelman College, says it’s critically important for Black male students to feel a sense of belonging, community and well-being on campus. He calls them necessary factors when it comes to retaining Black male students in college, in addition to financial accessibility.

According to a new report from the American Institute for Boys and Men, there are now 50,000 fewer Black men enrolled in college as compared to pre-pandemic levels. Black men currently make up 26% of the population at HBCUs, but in the 1970s they made up 38% of the population.

On Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Dr. Holloman discusses the decline of Black male students pursuing college degrees and initiatives to increase their enrollment.