President Donald Trump praised America's historically black colleges and universities as he signed an executive order moving a key program for HBCUs back under the purview of the White House.
"This month has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate African-American history and to begin working together to create a better future for African-Americans and universities and colleges," Trump said at the White House, referring to February being Black History Month.
"We're taking action to help make that future happen and that future better.
"Historically black colleges and universities are incredibly important institutions woven into the fabric of our history just about like no other," he said.
Trump's order moves the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities from the Department of Education back under the auspices of the White House.
Administration officials said that President Trump's action would encourage strategic partnerships with other agencies and outside groups by giving HBCUs greater visibility.
The United Negro College Fund had requested that Trump move the initiative to the White House from the Education Department, CBS News reports.
"Education has the power to uplift," Trump said. "It has the power to transform — and perhaps, most importantly, education has the power to create greater equality and justice in our lives.
"They play such an important role in achieving progress for African-Americans and our nation's march for justice," he said of the institutions.
"We will make HBCUs an absolute priority in the White House.
"A lot of groups will be angry that they're not a priority — and we will support our shared vision and education and opportunity to all of our people."
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