Predictors of Black Students’ Race-Related Reasons for Choosing an HBCU and Intentions to Engage in Racial Identity—Relevant Behaviors

Abstract

This study explores the antecedents and consequences of race-related reasons for historically Black college and university (HBCU) choice. A total of 109 undergraduate students attending a historically Black university completed questionnaires assessing their race-related reasons for choosing the university and their intention to engage in race-related activities, as well as individual difference measures. Students with less contact with other Blacks growing up or more central racial identities were more likely to cite race-related reasons for HBCU college choice. Furthermore, lack of contact and higher racial centrality predicted greater intention to engage in behaviors to develop racial identity (e.g., race-oriented clubs and personal reading). Critically, race-related reasons for college choice mediated the impact of both contact and centrality on behavioral intentions. Finally, non-race-related reasons for college choice (i.e., academic and financial) were distinct from race-related reasons and failed to predict race-relevant behavioral intentions. Thus, the race-related reasons behind this critical life choice form a bridge between the race-relevant aspects of the past and intentions to engage in racial identity— developing behaviors in the future.