In a historic and hopeful step forward, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle gathered Tuesday, October 21, 2025 alongside leaders from South Carolina’s eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to launch the state’s first bipartisan HBCU Caucus. This effort aims to unite policymakers and education leaders around a shared commitment to invest in and elevate South Carolina’s HBCUs.
Lawmakers including Representative Hamilton Grant (D-Richland), Representative Bill Taylor (R-Aiken & Lexington), Senator Deon Tedder (D-Charleston &
Dorchester), and Senator Jason Elliott (R-Greenville) were joined by leadership from Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Clinton College, Denmark Technical College, Morris College, South Carolina State University, and Voorhees University.
Tuesday’s meeting focused on challenges facing HBCUs and identifying policy solutions to strengthen funding, infrastructure, and academic opportunity. The Hunt Institute, a national leader in education research and policy, helped frame the discussion with an overview of historic funding disparities and
best practices for supporting minority-serving institutions. They also covered President Donald Trump’s Executive Orderto promote excellence and innovation at HBCUs as “integral to American students’ pursuit of prosperity and wellbeing, providing the pathway to a career and a better life.”
John Lantz, Director of Higher Education at the Hunt Institute, shared sobering data: “South Carolina’s HBCUs have been underfunded by $424,096,615 since 1987. Our goal is to help lawmakers and institutions come together to close this gap and ensure
HBCUs are funded fairly so students have the opportunity to compete and succeed.”
Rep. Taylor, a longtime member of the House Education and Public Works Committee and current member of the House Ways and Means Higher Education Budget Subcommittee, reflected on the significance of the meeting: “This is about more than just correcting the past. It’s about ensuring opportunity for future generations. We’re committed to helping these institutions get the support they need to thrive.”
Senator Deon Deon Tedder reflects on the day by stating, “As an HBCU graduate myself, this caucus represents
