"An engaging and illuminating portrait of the history and purpose of HBCUs that makes a powerful case for their indispensable role in American higher education and American life." -- Drew Gilpin Faust, president emerita, Harvard University

"Traditionally, US philanthropy has favored elite institutions over HBCUs, making these elite colleges among the wealthiest and most powerful institutions in history. Yet many of our elected leaders, typically educated at those institutions, seem among the most hostile to democratic ideals and fan the flames of hate and inequity. John Wilson's remarkable book, Hope and Healing: Black Colleges and the Future of American Democracy, persuasively argues how strengthening HBCUs and their character-driven educational model can help our nation meet its current challenges in ways that elite, predominantly white institutions are failing us--and provides a compelling road map for philanthropy to follow." --Bill Moses, managing director of education, Kresge Foundation