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NEW YORK, NY (March 18, 2024) – Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement on the State of Tennessee’s effort to clear the board of directors at Tennessee State University – one of the nation’s most celebrated Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“The State of Tennessee is once again seeking to undermine Black citizens through the power of its GOP super majority. Their latest attempt to vacate the entire board of one of the nation’s premiere HBCUs is alarming – continuing a trend to attack Black excellence in higher education. We shouldn’t be surprised after the Supreme Court’s attack on affirmative action last year, but our vigilance must remain strong in this moment.
This simply cannot happen, because installing a board of ‘yes’ people will hobble a storied institution like Tennessee State University. We must speak up to ensure the Tennessee General Assembly, the State, and the entire nation know we will not stand for these attacks on our HBCUs. Because it might be TSU today, but tomorrow it could be the future of HBCUs altogether.”
About National Action Network (NAN)
National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender.
For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.
