Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), a historically Black college and university (HBCU), has launched a African American studies (AAS) major and minor program. 
"A part of the HBCU experience for many students is a journey to self-identification, Blackness, and trying to understand the Black experience better," said Dr. Jeanelle Hope, director and associate professor of AAS. "It [African American Studies] provides students with the language to understand the world around them and an opportunity to engage key theories, concepts and methods that seek to make sense of the Black experience and amplify our narratives."
The Bachelor of Arts in AAS Program was made possible by a $1 million initiative, Enhancing the Humanities at PVAMU. It was funded in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, an anonymous contribution, and a matching grant.
Only some HBCUs have AAS programs, such as Morehouse College, Spelman Colleges, Howard University, Florida A&M, Morgan State University, and Claflin University.
