The Debt: What Tennessee Owes Its HBCU

For decades, government funding was withheld from historically Black public colleges and universities, such as Tennessee State University. States across the South have grappled with the question: What could be possible if those debts were repaid?In Episode 13, we’ll hear from our colleagues at the Tennessee Lookout and WPLN News. Together, they produced The Debt, a reported project and podcast that traces Tennessee State University’s decades-long fight for fair funding. You’ll hear from journalists Emily Siner and Camellia Burris, whose reporting examined an overlooked Civil Rights lawsuit, a historic merger with a predominantly white university, a dramatic student hunger strike, and a lawmaker who discovered his father’s old research on underfunding. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer. A special thank you to Tennessee Lookout and WPLN News.Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners:  Black lawmakers warn constituents that proposed funding formula changes could hurt Mississippi’s HBCUs (Mississippi Today) Long before fights over DEI, a judge told Tennessee State University to lose its Black identity (Tennessee Lookout) How Rep. Harold Love secured the largest-ever funding boom for TSU — and what comes next (Tennessee Lookout) How much has Tennessee State University been underfunded? Here are 4 calculations (Tennessee Lookout) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected]: Almost since its founding after Reconstruction, Tennessee State University has fought for funding. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)