Report · July 2026
Proof of Promise
Produced in partnership with Gallup, Proof of Promise draws on the nation's largest study of HBCU alumni to show what an HBCU education delivers — examining thriving, work, and worth among recent graduates.
Researching Solutions,
Empowering Change.
The Mission
The Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center is a national hub for policy analysis and advocacy, working to secure the long-term sustainability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Publications
Report · July 2026
Proof of Promise
Produced in partnership with Gallup, Proof of Promise draws on the nation's largest study of HBCU alumni to show what an HBCU education delivers — examining thriving, work, and worth among recent graduates.
Report · 2026
Black Thriving in America: 2026
Powered by Gallup, the 2026 edition of the annual index tracks economic mobility, educational attainment, health, and civic participation for Black Americans — measuring how communities are thriving and where gaps persist.
Report · June 2026
Ready To Scale, Poised To Lead
HBCUs are emerging as leaders in the AI era. Ready to Scale, Poised to Lead highlights how institutions across the HBCU landscape are adopting artificial intelligence, exceeding national benchmarks, and preparing students to thrive in a rapidly evolving workforce.
Core Functions
Driving change through evidence-based advocacy.
Producing & Disseminating Cutting-Edge Research
Original, methodologically rigorous inquiry on the institutions, policies, and populations shaping the future of Black higher education.
Turning Evidence into Policy
Translating scholarship into briefings for congressional staff, federal agencies, and state coordinating boards.
Strengthening HBCU Research Capacity
Convenings, tools, and technical assistance that grow research infrastructure across the sector.
News
Upcoming Event
Education Association of South Africa (EASA) Annual Conference 2026
The Payne Research Center joins global scholars and institutional leaders at the EASA Annual Conference to advance transnational research on educational equity, capacity-building, and the shared future of Black higher education across the diaspora.
- When
- January 2026
- Where
- South Africa
Featured
January
Featured Event
Education Association of South Africa (EASA) Annual Conference 2026
The Payne Research Center joins global scholars and institutional leaders at the EASA Annual Conference to advance transnational research on educational equity, capacity-building, and the shared future of Black higher education across the diaspora.
- When
- January 2026
- Where
- South Africa
Since 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund has supported the nation's talent pipeline by providing scholarships, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships from K–12 through higher education to the workforce.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund