The Quiet Disappearance of Black History in Higher Ed

African American Studies Department are Dwindling Across U.S. Colleges

"More than 12 private colleges and public universities have either reduced or eliminated Black programs studies departments and majors.

By

Angela Wilson

Published

August 27, 2026

Thoughtful young bald female student looking away while sitting with friends in classroom at college (Photo: Getty Images)

A Washington Post report found that over a dozen U.S. colleges and universities have scaled back or downright eliminated Black, African, and African American studies departments and majors over the past two years. So much so, nationwide completions for African American studies degrees dropped to the lowest levels in two decades — a number administrators now cite as justification for the next round of cuts."

The Quiet Disappearance of Black History in Higher Ed