Though not all-inclusive, the following eight areas do warrant attention, renewed thinking, civil discourse and solutions to help ensure that robust progress is not impeded.

HIVAccording to a recent study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February 2011, “Although blacks make up only 13.6 percent of the U. population, they account for 50.3 percent of all diagnosed cases of HIV.

These types of issues can be quite daunting for young Black college women born into oppressive societal conditions and stigmatized with the burden of racism, sexism, and classism (Henry, Butler, & West, 2012).

Unfortunately, these women may have little or no knowledge regarding the circumstances of their devalued status, nor the appropriate coping skills to survive the negative effects of their devaluation (Henry, 2008).

To be sure, these areas for improvement exist relative to every ethnicity and are not solely confined to African-Americans.

Moreover, the associated statistics are not purposed to bring negative culpability and condemnation but rather to shed light on disproportionate yet potentially alarming trends.

Census data indicate that 50.4% of infants younger than 1 year of age are from racial/ethnic minority groups [1].

Hispanic infants comprise the largest portion, representing more than half of all births in 26 states including California, Texas, and New Mexico [3].

Since the larger percentage of families in America live on dual-incomes (U. Census, 2004), demands of jobs and careers necessitate that children be exposed to diverse social contexts.

For example, programs and activities implemented to meet the needs of latchkey children have included extended-day programs in public schools, after-school hotlines, and neighborhood “block mothers” (Lamorey, Robinson, Rowland, Coleman, 1998).

Along with other unofficial programs and activities, these likely have contributed to children developing viewpoints and social comforts beyond the influences of their primary caregivers.

The purpose of this article is to assist mental health counselors and student affairs practitioners to gain a better understanding of the challenges 21st century Black college women may face in their attempt to develop intimate heterosexual relationships with Black men. Interracial dating attitudes among college students.

Consequently, higher education leaders have the opportunity to support Black women in their quest to establish a healthy identity by providing educational opportunities within co-curricular and academic contexts to meet the needs of this unique population of students.