Using Esports to Amplify Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Shifting the Narrative

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are pioneers to higher education in America. Despite their significant contributions, anti-Black institutional and deficit framing position HBCUs as institutions with less value or contributions to the field (Williams et al., 2019). Scholars have called for a shift in the narratives surrounding HBCUs and their benefit to society and higher education (Williams et al., 2019). Thus, this chapter amplifies HBCUs’ leadership in college esports. The chapter starts with an overview of how race, gaming, and college institutions intersect, and then moves to discussing how racism in esports parallels the racism seen in traditional sports. The chapter then turns to amplifying how HBCUs are addressing these issues through esports and how HBCUs should be renowned as leaders in shaping gaming, esports, and higher education. At the conclusion, readers will be left with suggestions for future research and practical suggestions for helping to support and amplify HBCU and their role in college esports.