Bridging the Broadband Gap at HBCUs Transforms Student Success

Imagine trying to complete your senior research project without a stable internet connection. For many students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), this is a daily reality. Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Claflin University, shared a poignant story of a student who drove nine miles to a McDonald’s parking lot to access Wi-Fi and work on her senior thesis. This struggle highlights the broader issue of broadband deserts—areas with severely limited or no internet access—where 82% of HBCUs are located.

Broadband deserts predominantly exist in the Black Rural South, spanning over 152 counties across ten states including Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. These areas suffer from systemic underinvestment, partly due to digital redlining—a discriminatory practice where internet providers exclude certain neighborhoods, often those with predominantly Black populations. This legacy of exclusion compounds the challenges faced by underfunded HBCUs, which already operate with significantly fewer resources than their non-HBCU counterparts.

Federal programs designed to close the digital divide, such as the Digital Equity Act, have faced setbacks, including termination and funding delays. This leaves millions of households without affordable internet access, further widening the gap. However, nonprofit organizations like the Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) are stepping up. Partnering with technology leaders like Cisco, SFI has helped Claflin University deploy 5G internet service on campus, transforming it from a broadband desert into a connected learning environment.

The impact of improved broadband access extends beyond convenience. Reliable internet equips students with essential digital literacy skills, vital for competing in today’s AI-driven economy. Without it, students risk falling behind, akin to running a marathon but starting miles behind the pack. Moreover, enhancing broadband infrastructure at HBCUs could boost economic activity by up to half a trillion dollars, increase Black worker incomes, reduce student loan debt, and stimulate business growth.

While Claflin University’s success story is inspiring, it raises a critical question: what about the other 82% of HBCUs still trapped in broadband deserts? Without sustained federal funding, the work of nonprofits, corporate partners, and philanthropists remains crucial to bridging this divide. Initiatives like SFI’s network of high-net-worth donors and technology collaborations provide a lifeline, but scaling these efforts is essential to ensure equitable access to education and economic opportunity for all students.

Addressing broadband inequity at HBCUs is not just about connectivity—it’s about dismantling systemic barriers and empowering a generation of students to thrive in a digital world. As technology evolves, so must our commitment to digital equity, ensuring no student has to drive miles to a fast-food parking lot just to complete their education.