The 39th president played a critical role in saving and modernizing Black colleges, Cheryl E. Mango writes. Missing from the ongoing discussions regarding President Jimmy Carter’s legacy following his Dec. 29 passing are the former Democratic president’s crucial efforts to save and modernize historically Black colleges and universities. The survival and subsequent expansion of HBCUs represents a meaningful achievement within Carter’s complex presidential record, which is forever marred by his resounding defeat after one term by his Republican successor, Ronald Reagan.
