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What Is the Future of College — and Does It Have Room for Men? (Update)
Freakonomics Radio
The Rise and Fall of the Lewis College of Business
The Lewis College of Business, founded in 1928 by Violet Lewis, holds a significant place in history as one of the few HBCUs established by a black woman. Originating from a modest $50 loan, it provided essential skills training for black women during an era where corporate opportunities were scarce. The relocation to Detroit capitalized on the boom of the auto industry, with Lewis graduates becoming some of the first black office employees at major corporations like General Motors and Ford. At its height in the 1980s, the college boasted 550 students, successfully preparing them for well-paying jobs. However, the decline of Detroit's auto industry led to reduced government support and eventually to the school losing its accreditation in 2007, prohibiting students from accessing financial aid. Its closure reflects a larger trend of American colleges shutting down or consolidating, particularly post-2008 financial crisis, which has seen a 2.3% decline in four-year public universities and a 2.7% drop in community colleges in just one year.
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