San Francisco Mayor London Breed has announced a new funding opportunity that could help bring a historically Black college or university (HBCU) to the Bay Area via satellite campus.  

“Bringing an HBCU satellite campus here will boost our Downtown and our economy, while bringing new minds and ideas to grow within our world-renowned culture of innovation,” said Breed in a statement. “We have been building partnerships with HBCUs across the country, and we are bringing our first cohort of students here this summer, all part of our larger 30 by 30 initiative to help revitalize Downtown.” 

Breed’s 30 by 30 initiative intend to add 30,000 new residents and students to San Francisco by the year 2030.  

The program comes from an initiative led by Black 2 San Francisco (B2SF), led by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC). The initiative is focused on creating a hub, or formal space, for HBCUs to recruit, offer courses and host students in San Francisco. Relationships with 10 HBCUs were established in relation to the program.  

Programming related to the grant will begin this summer, with a cohort of 60 interns living and learning in San Francisco in June and July. In addition to exploring career options through internships, participants are expected to participate in workshops and lectures led by subject matter experts and attend a number of curated visits and local experiences, according to the Friday press release.  

California only has one HBCU, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, located in Los Angeles. It is one of 31 states without HBCUs with undergraduate programs. The vast majority of HBCUs are in the Southeastern region of the United States, according to HBCU First. 

“I am looking forward to greeting HBCU students and working with many schools looking to expand to the west coast,” said Sheryl Davis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. “The potential to offer local students access to quality education provided at HBCUs here in San Francisco is a major accomplishment.” 

Funding will help cover costs of planning, staff and faculty, accreditation, space and engagement, according to Davis. The program was originally announced in February.