Education

Howard University and other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) celebrated their 2025 commencement ceremonies with keynote addresses from notable figures such as LeVar Burton, Brad Holmes, Joan Higginbotham, and Jasmine Crocket. These speakers emphasized the importance of perseverance, preparation, and resilience in the face of challenges, encouraging graduates to remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence and to overcome obstacles with determination.

The White House has instructed federal agencies to terminate all outstanding contracts with Harvard University, totaling approximately $100 million, marking a significant escalation in its ongoing campaign against American higher education institutions.

In the five years since George Floyd's murder, school districts have largely reneged on their commitments to eliminate armed officers, opting instead to broaden their policing tactics through surveillance software and AI tools that disproportionately affect Black students.

Harvard University has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration following the revocation of its certification to enroll international students. The institution argues that the move constitutes retaliation for its refusal to comply with policy demands from the White House.

Kermit the Frog, renowned as a Peabody Award recipient and advocate for all living beings, addressed graduates at the University of Maryland on May 21, imparting a message centered on optimism and self-belief.

The US Department of Justice ended a long-standing federal school desegregation order in Louisiana, potentially signaling a shift in the federal government's role in enforcing Brown v. Board of Education, leaving Black students more vulnerable to racial segregation and inequitable access to quality education.

In K-12 education, Malcolm X's legacy remains largely absent, yet educators such as Jesse Hagopian are actively working to incorporate his full story into their teaching, empowering students to advocate for a more equitable future.

Public schools nationwide are increasingly implementing artificial intelligence technologies such as facial recognition cameras and predictive analytics software to identify students deemed "high risk." However, civil rights advocates caution that these measures lack public oversight and legal accountability, thereby intensifying the school-to-prison pipeline and contributing to the criminalization of students.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit reveals a significant rise in student loan delinquencies, which surged to 7.74% following the conclusion of a pandemic-era pause. Concurrently, total household debt saw a modest increase of $167 billion, while credit card and auto loan balances experienced declines of $29 billion and $13 billion, respectively.

The Trump administration has announced the termination of an additional $450 million in federal grants to Harvard University, intensifying its ongoing efforts to exert control over U.S. college campuses and address alleged civil rights violations.