A UNCF Institute for Capacity Building report found presidents at historically Black colleges and universities serve markedly shorter tenures than their peers—an average 4.22 years overall, with private HBCU presidents averaging 4.42 years and public HBCU presidents about four years. UNCF links leadership instability to long‑term institutional fragility and recommends strengthening board practices, improving presidential onboarding, mentorship and succession planning. Walter Kimbrough, UNCF executive vice president for research, called the findings ‘‘a call to action’’ and urged reimagining selection and retention strategies. The report targets trustees, funders and policymakers: sustained executive continuity, UNCF argues, is essential for fundraising, accreditation compliance and realizing strategic commitments at HBCUs.