History has a way of repeating its patterns, but it also has a way of meeting a people who refuse to be broken. To understand where we are in 2026, we have to look back at the “price of the tickets” our ancestors paid to get us here. Today, we journey through a timeline of resilience—not just to remember the pain, but to reclaim our power.
1619 to 1865: The Iron and the Soil The foundation of this nation was laid with a heavy dock and the trading of souls as common stock. They wanted the labor, but they feared the brilliance of the Black mind. Yet, as the soil remembers the blood, our lineage remembers the flight.
“But you can’t break a spirit that was born to fly, even when the auctioneer raises the price high.”
1865 to 1877: The Brief Breath of Reconstruction There was a moment when the air felt different. We built schools, we sat in the halls of power, and we started breaking down walls. But history shows that whenever the Black stride gets “a little too proud,” the backlash follows. The shadows plotted to bend the backs that refused to bow.
1877 to 1965: The Long Dark of Jim Crow The chains didn’t disappear; they just changed form. They became “legal ink.” Through grandfather clauses and poll taxes, the cage was built with pens and paper.
“They called it the law, but it was just a cage, writing out our silence on every single page.”
1954 to 1968: The Streets on Fire We met the fire hoses and the dogs with a stubborn, ancient root of courage. In 1965, we forced the hand of the nation and put our ink in the book—the Voting Rights Act (VRA). We reclaimed the ground that was always ours.
Today: The Highest Court and the New Wall Now, in 2026, we find ourselves facing a “high-court sneer.” With the ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, the law is being stripped bare. By gutting Section 2 of the VRA, they are attempting to erase our presence from the voting space and call it “politics.”
The Unbroken Stride But look at the score. We have been through the fire before. Laws can be rewritten and decrees can be changed, but a people who are already free in their spirit cannot be contained. Let them rig the maps; the unbowed heart remains the same.
We keep walking. We keep standing tall. Because the spirit of the truth outlasts it all.
“They traded the iron chain for the legal ink.” ✍🏾 From 1619 to the halls of the Supreme Court, our stride remains unbroken. Check out this powerful journey through our history and our future. #BlackLegacy #VRA #Unbowed
In our pursuit of being Crowned in Black Love, we recognize that our sovereignty is built on two things: the love we foster within our homes and the power we exercise within our society. Recently, a major shift occurred in the highest court of the land that directly challenges the latter. With the recent Supreme Court ruling effectively gutting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), the “Crown” of Black political representation is under fire.
Understanding the Ruling For decades, the VRA was the primary shield protecting Black communities from “vote dilution”—the practice of redrawing district maps to weaken our collective voice. This new ruling has essentially dismantled those protections, giving states significantly more freedom to draw maps that can sideline Black voters.
This isn’t just about politics; it’s about Legacy. When our ability to choose our representatives is diminished, our ability to advocate for our schools, our businesses, and our safety is compromised.
The Resilience of the Crown While the legal landscape has shifted, the spirit of the Black race has always been one of endurance. Our ancestors navigated a world with zero legal protections and still built churches, universities, and thriving communities. We are a people who know how to build in the face of adversity.
How to Protect Our Legacy Today:
Know the Local Landscape: Redistricting happens in city halls and county boards. Stay vigilant about your local maps—this is where the “invisible” work of legacy-building begins.
Voter Education as a Family Ritual: Make civic engagement a core value in your household. Teach your children that the ballot is a tool for legacy, even when the system tries to dull its edge.
Community Familyhood: We must lean into our collective strength. When the “Court” makes it harder for us to be heard individually, we must speak louder as a unified community.
The Reflection The Court may redraw the lines on a map, but they cannot redraw the boundaries of our excellence. Our legacy is not granted by a ruling; it is claimed by our actions. Let’s keep building, keep loving, and keep protecting the Crown.
The map may be changing, but our mission remains the same. 👑 Today on the blog: “The Crown vs. The Court.” We’re breaking down the VRA ruling and how we protect our political legacy. #VRA #BlackExcellence #CrownedInBlackLove
For centuries, the Black woman has been defined by her “superhuman” ability to endure. She is the nurturer, the strategist, the protector, and the spiritual anchor. While this resilience is a testament to our power, the “Strong Black Woman” archetype has often acted as a gilded cage, leaving little room for exhaustion, grief, or the simple need for help.
To ensure our Generational Legacy is one of wholeness, we must shift the narrative. True strength is not found in how much you can carry until you break; it is found in the wisdom to set the load down and tend to your own soul.
The Heartbeat of the Home The mental well-being of the Black woman is the emotional climate of the family. When you prioritize your healing, you are creating a ripple effect that touches your partner, your children, and your community. A healed woman models for her daughters that their worth is not tied to their labor, and she teaches her sons the value of emotional safety. By choosing wellness, you are intentionally breaking cycles of self-sacrifice and replacing them with a legacy of self-sovereignty.
The Revolutionary Act of Softness
Reclaiming Rest: In a society that has historically commodified Black women’s effort, choosing to rest is a radical act of reclamation. Your value is inherent; it does not need to be earned through constant service.
The Power of “No”: Setting boundaries is an act of legacy-building. Every time you say “no” to a demand that drains your spirit, you are saying “yes” to the longevity of your health and your presence.
Vulnerability as Sovereignty: Allowing yourself to be seen in your moments of need is the highest form of courage. It invites intimacy and allows the village to hold you, just as you have held the village.
How to Support the Women in Our Lives
Supporting the mental health of Black women requires more than just appreciation—it requires active partnership and the removal of burdens.
Offer Tangible Relief: Don’t ask, “What can I do?” Instead, act. Handle the household logistics, manage the schedule, or create space where she has zero responsibilities for a day.
Be a Safe Harbor: Create an environment where she doesn’t have to be “on.” Let her express frustration, sadness, or fatigue without the pressure to “fix” it or stay positive.
Encourage Professional Care: Normalize therapy as a standard tool for the modern Black woman. Support her in finding culturally competent therapists who understand the intersection of race, gender, and legacy.
Resources for the Journey
For the women ready to pour back into themselves, these organizations offer specialized, culturally grounded support:
Therapy for Black Girls: An expansive directory and podcast designed to make mental health resources accessible and relevant for Black women and girls.
Black Girl Smile: Focuses on providing young Black women with the education and resources to lead mentally healthy lives.
The Loveland Foundation: Provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy across the nation.
GirlTrek: A global movement that uses walking as a practical tool for healing, stress reduction, and community building.
Closing Reflection
Ultimately, the “Crown” we speak of is not merely a symbol of status, but a testament to our mental and spiritual fortitude. When we prioritize the mental wellness of the Black woman, we are not just addressing an individual need; we are fortifying the very architect of our future. It is through this intentional healing and the creation of sanctuaries of support within our homes that we ensure our legacy is built on a foundation of peace rather than the exhaustion of survival. By reclaiming the right to be whole, we ensure that the lineage following in our footsteps inherits a blueprint of resilience that is rooted in love, clarity, and an unshakable sense of self. Let us hold this space for one another, knowing that a healed woman is a powerful legacy in motion.
You cannot pour from an empty cup. 👑 Our latest blog explores why mental wellness is the non-negotiable foundation for the Black woman’s legacy and how we can support her healing. #BlackWomensHealth #Wellness #Legacy
In our pursuit of being Crowned in Black Love, we recognize that our sovereignty is built on the strength of our institutions. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have always been the engines of our progress. However, keeping these engines running requires more than just community support; it requires navigating the complex halls of federal power.
When we look at the recent historic levels of funding—specifically the shifts seen under the Biden and Trump administrations—it’s important to ask: Was this money just sitting there, or was it fought for?
Federal HBCU Funding by Administration & Term
President
Term
Approximate Total Funding
Key Accomplishments & Status
Joe Biden
2021–2025
$17+ Billion
Current Record Holder. Includes $11.4B in federal grants and debt relief, and over $4B in student financial aid.
Donald Trump
Term 2 (2025–Present)
In Progress
Executive Restructuring. Re-established the White House Initiative on HBCUs in the Executive Office of the President (April 2026).
Donald Trump
Term 1 (2017–2021)
$5+ Billion
The FUTURE Act. Permanently restored $255M in annual funding and forgave $322M in capital financing debt.
Barack Obama
2009–2017
$4–5 Billion
Consistent Support. Averaged $1.8B to $2.4B annually in total federal appropriations, grants, and contracts.
George W. Bush
2001–2009
$1.1 Billion (5-yr est.)
Research Capacity. Focused on enhancing R&D infrastructure and transferred the HBCU Initiative to the Secretary of Education.
Bill Clinton
1993–2001
$1.24+ Billion (FY 1995)
Strategic Expansion. Oversaw a 21% jump in agency awards and research grants between 1992 and 1995.
The “Fight” Behind the Funding
Many wonder how the numbers reached such heights during recent terms. It wasn’t just “found money”; it was a combination of legislative permanence and aggressive executive action.
For decades, HBCU leaders had to lobby Congress every single year for a vital $255 million pot of STEM funding. If it wasn’t renewed, the money vanished. In 2019, after a long bipartisan battle, the FUTURE Act was signed into law, making that $255 million permanent. This provided fiscal stability that our schools had never seen before.
2. Clearing the Slate: Strategic Debt Forgiveness
A significant portion of the funding seen in the Trump and Biden eras came from Executive Action to cancel crushing debt. In 2018, $322 million in Hurricane Katrina-related loans were forgiven for schools like Dillard and Xavier. Later, the Biden administration expanded this, canceling debt for 45 public and private HBCUs to allow them to reinvest in their students.
3. Direct Access: Moving the Seat of Power
In both his first and second terms (specifically in April 2025), President Trump signed Executive Orders moving the White House Initiative on HBCUs directly into the White House. This wasn’t a financial move, but a power move—giving HBCU presidents a direct line to the President’s staff rather than being buried within the Department of Education.
4. Administrative Redirects
Sometimes, the money comes from re-prioritizing what is already there. In early 2025, the Department of Education redirected $435 million in discretionary “Title III” funds specifically to HBCUs, nearly doubling the available awards for that year.
The Bottom Line
Whether through the record-breaking grants of the Biden administration or the permanent legislative stability of the Trump years, the message is clear: Our legacy is worth the fight. As we look toward the future, our role is to stay informed, keep our institutions accountable, and ensure that the “Crown” remains well-funded and unbowed.
Here is the breakdown of how it actually happened:
1. The Strategy: “Redirection” Over New Spending
In his second term (specifically 2025–2026), much of the “historic” funding wasn’t necessarily brand-new money from the taxpayer. Instead, it was a strategic redirection of funds.
The Swap: The administration cut roughly $435 million from various minority-serving programs at other types of institutions, labeling them “ineffective and discriminatory”.
The Result: That money was moved specifically into the HBCU bucket. This allowed the administration to tout a massive funding increase for HBCUs without increasing the overall federal education budget.
2. The Pressure: HBCU Leaders at the Table
The funding didn’t happen in a vacuum. Advocacy groups like the UNCF and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund were relentless in their “fight”.
The Negotiated Win: Leaders made it clear that for HBCUs to survive, they needed “permanent” funding rather than yearly extensions.
The Signature: In 2019, Trump signed the FUTURE Act, which made $255 million in annual funding permanent. He frequently used this as proof of his commitment, often stating he “saved” these colleges after previous administrations hadn’t secured their long-term funding.
3. The Shift: Excellence vs. DEI
A major part of the “why” involves a shift in political ideology.
The Ideological Pivot: In early 2025, the administration issued an executive order that stripped away references to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
The “Innovation” Label: By framing HBCUs as “beacons of educational excellence and innovation” rather than “minority aid programs,” the administration was able to justify funding them while simultaneously cutting other social safety net programs.
4. Summary of the “Fight” vs. the “Gift”
Action
Was it a “Fight”?
The Reality
FUTURE Act
Yes
Bipartisan pressure forced a permanent funding solution.
$435M Redirect
No
An administrative choice to move money away from other minority programs.
Debt Forgiveness
Yes
HBCU presidents lobbied for relief from 20-year-old disaster loans.
White House Move
No
A symbolic and strategic move to keep HBCU leaders under direct oversight.
The Bottom Line: While there was significant funding, critics argue it was a “redirect ruse” that boosted institutional checks while cutting the broader student aid (like Parent PLUS loan caps) that families need to actually attend these schools.
Systemic & Equity Rollbacks
Critics, including groups like the NAACP, argue that while he “cut checks” to institutions, his broader policies dismantled the protections Black individuals need to succeed:
Eliminating DEI and Equity Doctrine: In 2025, he signed executive orders revoking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and eliminated “disparate impact liability”—a legal tool used to prove when policies (like housing or hiring) unintentionally harm Black people.
Educational “Loyalty” Requirements: In late 2025, his administration proposed a “Compact for Academic Excellence” that tied federal funding to requirements that schools freeze tuition and suppress certain types of social criticism. Most HBCUs refused to comply, viewing it as an infringement on their academic freedom.
Rollback of Civil Rights Protections: His administration rolled back guidance on school discipline policies meant to address racial disparities, which critics say puts Black students at higher risk for the “school-to-prison pipeline”.
Weakening Consumer Protection: Orders that loosened environmental and mortgage regulations may increase lender participation but also heighten the risk of predatory lending and discriminatory practices that have historically stripped wealth from Black families.
The “Legacy” Conclusion
Ultimately, the debate boils down to a choice of philosophy:
Critics argue he is a hindrance because he removed the safety nets—stripping away the civil rights protections and equity strategies that prevent Black individuals from being marginalized in the broader economy.
As you build your own legacy, ask yourself: Is a strong foundation for our colleges enough if the protections for the students attending them are being removed? True progression likely requires both the funding for the institutions and the protection of the people.
Money doesn’t just appear; it’s fought for. 👑 Today we’re looking at the legislative wins and executive actions that fueled record HBCU funding from the 90s to 2026. #HBCU #Legacy #BlackExcellence
As we navigate the opening months of 2025, the air feels different. The challenges are real, but so is the brilliance of our response. At Crowned in Black Love, we believe that our legacy isn’t just built in boardrooms or classrooms—it’s built in the sacred spaces where Black women gather to lead, protect, and lift one another.
Today, that space has a name: Win With Black Women (WWBW).
If you haven’t yet pulled up a chair to this virtual Sunday night table, you are missing the heartbeat of modern Black progression. Founded by the visionary Jotaka Eaddy in 2020, WWBW has evolved from a rapid-response network into a global powerhouse that proves one thing: When Black women win, the entire community rises.
More Than a Meeting: A “Human Hug” In a world that often scrutinizes and silences Black women, WWBW offers what Eaddy calls a “human hug.” It is an intergenerational sanctuary where 4,000+ leaders—from corporate executives and faith leaders to grassroots activists—gather to recharge. It’s a space where the weight of leadership is shared, and the brilliance of the collective is celebrated.
Why WWBW is the Blueprint for 2025 You should be paying attention to this movement for three critical reasons:
Financial and Political Might: We all remember the historic 2024 Zoom call that raised $1.6 million in just 100 minutes. That wasn’t a fluke; it was a demonstration of economic agency. WWBW has mastered the art of mobilizing “the collective dollar” to support Black women running for office at every level.
The Shield Against Attacks: WWBW serves as a rapid-response unit against the racist and sexist attacks that target Black women in the public eye. Whether it was the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson or protecting candidates in the current cycle, they fact-check the lies and amplify the truth.
Systemic Advocacy: From monthly advocacy chats to empowerment workshops, the network is focused on policy. They aren’t just talking about the problems; they are coordinating national strategies to address social injustice, healthcare disparities, and economic equity.
Building the Legacy Together WWBW reminds us that our “Crown” is not just a personal accessory—it is a collective responsibility. By elevating the image, power, and policy agenda of Black women, this network is ensuring that the foundation we lay in 2025 is strong enough for our grandchildren to stand on.
How to Connect with the Movement
The Sunday night calls are more than just a meeting—they are a masterclass in leadership.
Join the Network: Visit the official Win With Black Women website to sign their advocacy letters and join the mailing list for Sunday night invites.
Participate in Advocacy: Sign up for their “Empowerment Workshop Series” to learn how to combat systemic bias in your own professional and local community.
Spread the Word: Follow the #WinWithBlackWomen hashtag to stay updated on real-time advocacy needs and celebration of Black excellence.
The Power of the Collective
Win With Black Women is more than a network; it is the ultimate realization of what happens when we refuse to wait for a seat at the table and instead build our own. In an era where the legal and social landscape is shifting beneath our feet, this collective provides the steady ground we need to stand firm. By centering the joy, protection, and ambition of Black women, WWBW ensures that our progress is not just a moment in time, but a sustainable movement. As we move through 2025 and beyond, let us remember that our greatest strength lies in our unity. When we lean into the “human hug” of our community, we don’t just survive the challenges of the day—we command the future of our legacy.
It’s not just a network; it’s a revolution. 👑 We’re diving into the power of “Win With Black Women” and why their Sunday night circle is the blueprint for our 2025 legacy. #WWBW #BlackWomenLead #Legacy #Advocacy
Crowned in Black Love 