Some educators say that HBCUs are no longer neccessary. What are your thoughts?

I am proud graduate of Howard University at the graduate level. I have always said if I had known what Historically Black Colleges and University's (HCBU's) could offer me during undergraduate school I would have applied. The fact that HBCU's graduate more African Americans than all the other colleges combined speaks volumes. There are still student retention issues but the fact have a greater investment in your success. College is a time when students are maturing into adulthood. It is wonderful to see African American students taking leadership roles on campus rather than being isolated. I think more inner city middle school and high school students and parents need information about these schools. These colleges are a critical national resource and treasure. What can we do to get the word out?