Individual Perspectives of Majority/Minority Partnerships: Who Really Benefits and How?

This study ascertained historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) academic leaders' perceptions of equity between HBCU and predominantly White institutions (PWI) health professions school partnerships related to resource capacity, sustainability and scholarship. A focus group was conducted with seven HBCU health professions schools. A survey was sent to their PWI (n=14) partners. Four themes including positive and negative experiences, challenges, and recommendations to continue relationships with the PWIs were identified. Dissemination of the survey to PWIs resulted in no responses. Benefits of the partnerships include increased HBCU publications and PWI efforts to embrace HBCU students. Inequities in the distribution of social resources and of social justice include the fickle nature of partnership, little interest among PWIs in promoting HBCU expansion and independence, a lack of transparency and clarity in communications, and PWI claims of ownership for ideas proposed by the HBCU. Dual institutional appointments were also identified as problematic.