On Monday, September 18, 2017, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) took a tour of Miles College in Fairfield in honor of National Historically Black College and University (HBCUs) Week. During the tour the Congresswoman met with Miles College president, Dr. George T. French and a group of Miles College students to discuss the importance of HBCUs. National HBCU week runs from Sunday, September 17 through September 23, 2017.

See pictures and video from Rep. Sewell’s visit to Miles College.

“HBCUs play an integral role in educating a diverse set of American students, and every day I’m proud to advocate for the HBCUs in Alabama's 7th District and across the county,” said Rep. Sewell. “For many families in my district, including my own, HBCUs are where the first member of a family went to college. Today, these schools are where the latest generation are earning their degrees. As Vice Chair of the bipartisan HBCU Caucus, I have made it a top priority to advocate for these important institutions, raise awareness for the challenges they face, and cherish these schools for the gifts they give to our communities.”

HBCUs make up only 3 percent of colleges and universities in America. More than 300,000 students attend HBCUs each year, 80 percent being African American. Nationwide, a total of106 HBCUs produce six times as many African American college graduates and eight times as many African Americans graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs.

HBCUs around the nation are facing the financial challenge of a lifetime. In Alabama, some HBCUs have lost access to Upward Bound Funding grants, including school like Miles College, which has had an active Upward Bound program on its campus since the mid-1960s. Without these grants, hundreds of first-generation and underserved students will lose access to the financial support they need to pursue a competitive higher education.

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.