Langston University Dean Urges Alumni Philanthropy During Black History Month

Dr. Daryl D. Green calls on professionals to invest in HBCU students beyond public reaction

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Dr. Daryl D. Green, Dean of the Langston University School of Business, is urging alumni and professionals to focus on personal philanthropy and consistent investment in HBCU students during Black History Month 2026. Green argues that while visibility and representation of the Black middle class have increased, wealth security has not kept pace, leaving many students facing small financial barriers that can derail their progress. He challenges leaders to move beyond public reaction and toward reinforcing the institutional foundations that sustain access and opportunity.

Why it matters

The wealth gap between White and Black households has continued to grow, reaching approximately $240,000 in 2022. While Black educational attainment and professional representation have increased, this has not translated to greater wealth security. HBCU leadership today requires more than just representation - it requires reinforcing the institutional foundations that sustain access and opportunity for students.

The details

Dr. Green has personal experience with this issue, recalling a time early in his academic career when he realized there were no scholarship awards designated for promising Black business students at the predominantly white institution where he was teaching. Now as Dean of Langston University's School of Business, he sees the consequences of these gaps, with over 200 business students carrying over $1 million in cumulative institutional debt last semester, often over small balances of just a few hundred dollars.

  • Black History Month 2026 is currently unfolding.
  • The Federal Reserve's 2024 Survey of Consumer Finances found the median wealth gap between White and Black households reached approximately $240,000 in 2022.

The players

Dr. Daryl D. Green

Dean of the Langston University School of Business, a business strategist and former federal manager with more than 27 years of leadership experience at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Langston University

The only historically Black college in Oklahoma and home to a nationally accredited School of Business.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Black middle class is larger, more educated, and more visible than ever. But visibility without mobilization leaves communities exposed when backlash resurfaces.”

— Dr. Daryl D. Green, Dean, Langston University School of Business

“These are not abstract statistics. They are talented students whose progress is paused over small barriers. Institutional budgets alone cannot resolve every student debt barrier. Alumni giving and consistent local investment are often what restore momentum.”

— Dr. Daryl D. Green, Dean, Langston University School of Business

What’s next

Dr. Green challenges leaders to consider 10 key questions that define responsible leadership during Black History Month 2026, including whether they are reacting or reinforcing institutions, where structural weaknesses remain unaddressed, and if they are building leaders or simply building their own profile.

The takeaway

Dr. Green emphasizes that sustainable advancement does not come from reaction alone, but from deliberate, consistent investment in people and institutions. He believes the lasting impact of this moment will be determined by how communities strengthen opportunity, not just by what trends online.