Michael Lomax spent over two decades running the United Negro College Fund, and as he steps away, he's calling the current moment for HBCUs a "renaissance." That word matters. It's not just about more students applying or bigger endowments. It's about a generation of young people, many of whom grew up seeing HBCUs celebrated in pop culture and presidential politics, deciding these institutions are where they want to build their own futures. For anyone who's been watching from the outside, it's easy to see the momentum. But Lomax's reflection is a good reminder that momentum doesn't sustain itself. It takes people making deliberate choices, every semester, to keep that energy real.
Here's what we'd tell a student or recent grad asking us what this means for them: the renaissance isn't just a headline, it's a call to get specific. Lomax didn't get to spend 22 years leading UNCF by accident. He showed up, built relationships, and pushed for resources when nobody was watching. That's the same energy that keeps any community strong, including ours in Pullman. You don't have to run a national nonprofit to make a difference. You can join a club, mentor a first-year student, or show up to a volunteer shift. The people who keep institutions alive aren't the ones who post about them, they're the ones who actually participate. So if you're feeling inspired by the HBCU story, don't just bookmark it. Find a way to be part of something local, whether that's a cultural org, a service project, or a study group that actually meets.
The practical takeaway here is about longevity. Lomax is leaving after a long run, and that raises a question we should all sit with: what are we building that will outlast us? It's easy to get caught up in the semester-to-semester grind, the deadlines, the part-time shifts, the "I'll do it tomorrow" energy. But real progress, whether it's a national movement or a campus tradition, comes from people who decide to stay consistent. Lomax's career is proof that you can start somewhere small and make an impact over time. He didn't have a five-year plan that magically worked out, he just kept answering the call. That's a solid reminder for us, especially when we feel like we're just trying to get through the week.
So here's the detail to watch: what happens to UNCF's momentum after he walks out the door? New leadership always brings shifts, and it's fair to wonder if the focus stays on the same priorities or if things pivot. That's not a knock on whoever comes next, it's just reality. Change is hard. But Lomax's time shows that staying power is a choice. For us, that's the real lesson. We don't need to wait for a perfect moment or a big title to start building something meaningful. We just need to pick a lane, show up, and keep at it. That's how a renaissance actually happens, one consistent, unglamorous choice at a time. And honestly? That's a bet we're willing to make.
