Black and Native postsecondary students parent at higher rates than their peers and bring with them a wealth of knowledge, skills, and aspirations. Yet our postsecondary system was not designed to bolster student parents’ many strengths. Further, student parents from marginalized communities face systemic racism and historical trauma in addition to challenges like financial insecurity and time poverty.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are uniquely positioned to catalyze the systemic change needed to better support Black and Native student parents. With this in mind, Ascend created the Black and Native Family Futures Fund to increase access and success for parenting students at HBCUs and TCUs. Eight partners received funding and technical assistance to support student parents. The Fund recently concluded, and through a webinar and new site, Ascend is sharing the outcomes and key takeaways for other institutions. The site is available here: https://ascendstories.aspeninstitute.org/black-and-native-family-futures-fund/index.html