Many are wondering, and some have asked me 1-1, what they can do to drive change in economics and society more generally given #BlackLivesMatter . I have been meaning to highlight the particular role of #HBCU and @TheFantaTraore’s comment below served as my nudge.

A thread 1/n https://twitter.com/TheFantaTraore/status/1271196031624019971

First, learn about the past/present of HBCU.

Second, acknowledge faculty, students, and staff at HBCU. Eg, seminar invites, circulating positions, collaboration, media.

Third, support HBCU — all are resource constrained. Eg, smaller endowments lead to retention issues. 2/n

Fourth, acknowledge faculty, students, and staff at HBCU. Yes, it bears repeating! If you cannot name at least 2-5 people at HBCU, that is a bad sign (more further below).

Fifth, support organizations that have closely worked and continue to work with HBCU. Eg, @NEAEcon. 3/n

To help the process along, I am listing some HBCU faculty on #EconTwitter.

My #HBCUEcon list is incomplete, so please add others ( @RhondaVSharpe at you).

@KEBroady
@SusanneToney1
@jevaygrooms
@AndreaSmythe
@WSpriggs
@lloubert
@RogueEconomista
@Spelman_Econ

4/n

Final notes.

(A) The above list only includes select current faculty. Several Black economists were at HBCU as students and/or in faculty positions previously.

(B) Several #HBCUEcon faculty reside in Business Schools. So, do not just look for economics departments. 5/n

(C) Truly “seeing” HBCU faculty will require a culture/preference shift in economics. Research topics and day-to-day priorities may appear “non-traditional” to the typical economist. Eg, a greater emphasis on mentoring and service than some are accustomed to. 6/n

(D) In short, if you truly care about driving change, as you claim to now, you will take time to understand and “see” your #HBCUEcon colleagues.

As an FYI, I am not only making this point on social media, but have also been doing so in other economics circles. 7/n

Correction to 4/n:

I meant to tag @AndriaSmythe who is at @HowardU. Sorry for the typo.

Also, I remembered that @GEDanielsJr is on #EconTwitter and a #HBCUEcon faculty member @HowardU.

Also, I just learned that my colleague @tribb6 is on #EconTwitter.

In fact, @femme_economics referenced him at #PhDEI2020 @PhDEI_Econ earlier today (see https://twitter.com/aviceisza/status/1271464590887526401?s=21).

I will continue to add #HBCUEcon faculty over time.

@MorehouseBAE is also on #EconTwiter and includes several #HBCUEcon faculty.

Adding @DrMiEsha1 who is an assistant professor of economics @Morehouse @MorehouseBAE to this thread of #HBCUEcon faculty.

Adding @JulietElu1 who is a full professor of economics @Morehouse @MorehouseBAE to this thread of #HBCUEcon faculty.