Now there are four—and two more are on the way. For the first time in nearly 50 years, the number of Black medical schools in the country is growing.

The news bodes well for equity advocates. For years, the nationwide percentage of practicing Black physicians has remained stubbornly low at about 6 percent, compared to 13.6 percent of people in the population who identify as Black.

 

Thrive Scholars is a college preparatory program founded 20 years ago with the goal of helping students of color from low-income households win seats at the nation’s top colleges. But the mission extends beyond that: It helps see participants through graduation with career counseling and other support.

The sense of urgency has only grown following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on June 29 that restricted the use of race in college admissions. Many expect that ruling to translate into a rollback in student diversity on college campuses.

 

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling banning race-based affirmative action means that universities will face more difficulties recruiting students of color in academe.

In this essay, a Latino and former undocumented immigrant who pursued a career in higher education reflects on the barriers keeping those from historically excluded backgrounds out of such careers and how those obstacles can be replaced with opportunities.