Dr. Elfred Anthony PinkardHBCUsPerspectives: Capacity Building Initiatives Can Shift Perception of Private HBCUs From Dire to ExcitingWithin the American cultural imagination, with a few notable exceptions, private historically Black colleges and universities have rarely occupied their deserved status among this nation’s colleges and universities. Founded in the 19th century and maturing in the 20th century, these institutions have played an integral role in the development of this nation and the collective achievement of African-Americans. They have done so while operating with limited resources, discriminatory public policies and the restrictive label of “developing institutions.”June 24, 2007Page 1 of 1