This week was HBCU Week at the White House as education leaders meet to talk about the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

On Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden spoke to those gathered regarding the role that HBCUs play in America’s economy.

“The people who were once left out have to be brought in. One of the ways to accomplish this is to make sure we have the best-educated, most-skilled workforce in the world.”

Biden also noted that many volunteers from his first campaign for Senate were from Delaware State University, an HBCU he leaned on for support.

In addition to talking about the importance of sustaining HBCUs, Biden spoke of what the Obama administration has done to aid in the financial success of HBCUs, stating that the federal government invests about $1 billion into the collection of colleges each year.

But there is still work to be done regarding the health of many HBCUs. Some are facing financial ruin and others are teetering on the edge of collapse. There seems to be a widespread belief that HBCUs are losing their relevancy and place in the greater college landscape. I’ve written before about how I feel this train of thought is flawed and dangerous to higher education as whole in the country, and how HBCUs still serve a much-needed student population.

This conference will surely help to quell some of those fears as the White House works to reassure leaders that they are there to support and help to ensure that HBCUs are here to stay.

Read all of our posts about HBCUs by clicking here.