Beginning with a history of historically black colleges and universities, Jackson (Union Institute, Cincinnati, OH) and Nunn (North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Research Triangle Park) discuss HBCUs' legal, philanthropic, and government influences; a minority bioscience initiative which Nunn directs; and current research agenda. Features a chronology, resources, schools by state, selected graduates, and a glossary of such terms as Afrocentric curriculum and Title IV loans. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)