This book presents a well-thought-out argument explaining why Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have earned and deserve the moral and financial support of every American citizen for their contributions to establishing American democracy, providing the foundation of the American economy, and enriching American culture. There is no doubt that without HBCUs, Black Americans would have remained enslaved, and the United States would have collapsed instead of soaring to become the world's most significant power after the Civil War.

The book begins at the inception of democracy, focusing on the Enlightenment ideas shared in the salons and soirees of Western European aristocracy. It transitions to discussions about how colonialists should share the power gained after their victorious revolution against Great Britain, and how 4 million enslaved people secured their freedom by seizing the opportunity to fight for it.

The book explains the role HBCUs play in transforming these 4 million people from illiterate to literate, from enslavement to citizenship, from sharecroppers to farmers, from consumers to business owners, and from 4 million to 40 million people. This book provides crucial insights regarding HBCUs' contribution to the urbanization of America, a narrative that is rarely, if ever, included in the story of America’s great cities.

Finally, the book explains how and why the 100-year-old HBCU business model has worked so well and for so long. It also includes detailed guidance on how HBCUs can transform their century-old business model into one better equipped to fulfill their primary mission in the 21st and 22nd centuries: the education of the Black community.