San Francisco Mayor London Breed is spearheading an initiative to encourage Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to establish satellite campuses in the city’s vacant office spaces.
The move aims to fill an educational gap on the West Coast, offering HBCU experiences to students in the region.
During an event marking the start of Black History Month, Mayor Breed expressed her vision for the initiative, emphasizing the long-term opportunity it presents.
The San Francisco Human Rights Commission has been collaborating on the plan, engaging with representatives from prominent HBCUs such as Howard University, Charles R. Drew University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, Morris Brown College, Tuskegee University, and the University of the District of Columbia.
The “Black 2 San Francisco” initiative was introduced at the Taube Atrium Theater, part of the War Memorial Veterans Building, where representatives from at least six HBCUs attended. The city had previously announced plans for an HBCU incubator during the summer.
Mayor Breed highlighted the absence of HBCU campuses for West Coast students and underscored the initiative’s importance as a long-term educational opportunity.
The plan involves hosting 28 HBCU students in San Francisco, with the University of San Francisco providing housing, San Francisco State offering classrooms, and the University of California at San Francisco participating in the effort.
The initiative aims to provide Black San Franciscan youth with access to enhanced educational programs while opening doors for HBCU students to enter the technology field—a significant industry in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
Mayor Breed sees this initiative as a strategic partnership that strengthens the city’s leadership in education, innovation, and opportunity.
“In San Francisco, we’re working to build partnerships that strengthen our leadership as a center of education, innovation, and opportunity,” said Mayor Breed. “By bringing HBCUs to our city, we can not only create a connection to empower our next generation of leaders, but we can also contribute to the revitalization of our city.”
Dr. Sheryl Davis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, emphasized the historic achievement and collaborative effort involved in the initiative.
The project has been in the planning stages for many years and aligns with the city’s broader goals, including the Dream Keeper Initiative and recommendations from the Reparations Advisory committee.
The initiative is set to commence this summer, with several HBCUs participating and local universities offering resources and support to make this educational endeavor a success.
