With his historic win in Georgia to become the state’s first Black senator, the Rev. Raphael Warnock reinforced a narrative building over the past few years: A new generation of leaders has emerged from the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities.

HBCUs are uniquely equipped to train new leaders for a nation grappling with a pandemic of racism. Like the HBCU graduates who were inspired by civil rights leaders, today’s students will call a new set of names heroes. They are being shaped by the successes of political and social leaders like Warnock, Keisha Lance Bottoms, LaToya Cantrell, Randall Woodfin, and Chokwe Lumumba.

And, today, they will witness one of their own, Kamala Harris, become the first woman and first woman of color to hold the country's second-highest office. 

Nationally and in Maine, young people of color were at the forefront of demonstrations against the police killing of George Floyd last year. In the months since, many have continued to push local leaders to keep the promises they made over the summer to root out systemic racism. They have met with both success and red tape, support and reluctance.

They are the latest generation in a historic fight for racial equity. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom is getting solid reviews for his postsecondary budget proposal, with many applauding the additional investments to improve student success outcomes and eliminate equity gaps.

College leaders, students, policymakers, and advocacy groups weigh in with their thoughts—what they like and the changes they want to see happen.