Historically black colleges are among the biggest supporters of black-owned small businesses you’ll find in any city or state throughout the US. If you are interested in starting or are running a small business, here’s 15 of the top business types that HBCUs are always checking for.

1. Food Service – Food truck, catering, cafeteria services, etc. are a good way to get in front of hungry faculty and admin on a regular basis, and hungry students on a daily basis.
2. Print Shop – HBCUs are frequently producing brochures, programs, and mailing materials, and are constantly looking for competitive prices for good work.
3. Graphic/Web Design – For the same reasons as the print shop, HBCUs are willing to contract for services they desperately need, but can’t always afford to hold with a staff position.
4. Social Media Management – Can you attract large audiences on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube? HBCUs need you for cost-effective marketing on the web.
5. Event Promotion – Student government and administration at HBCUs constantly look for ways to put out the word on campus events out to the larger community. This is a business you can start as a student.
6. Office Supplies/Equipment – Supplies run out and equipment breaks down. If you are a supplies or equipment broker, you’ll find an active client in an HBCU.
7. Janitorial Services – Many HBCUs are beginning to contract this service out to vendors. Dorm rooms and offices always need to look their best.
8. Novelty Items – Admissions always needs giveaway items, and the company that can brand everything from pens to t-shirts to laser pointers has an in with faculty and staff for these materials.
9. Audit/Accounting/Bookkeeping – With auditing a constant concern at HBCUs, offering services as a reliable independent auditor can bring you a returning client.
10. HR Consulting – With many HBCU exceeding their quota on the number of crazy people working for them, anyone who can provide solid workplace training in efficiency or customer service is a sought-after asset.
11. Photographer – Events always need great photography an fast delivery.
12. Landscaping – Ever walked onto a picturesque HBCU campus? Somebody has to make it beautiful.
13. IT Consulting – You would be surprised how many HBCUs don’t have an RSS feed on their website, let alone the latest knowledge base on site security and user-friendliness for students and faculty.
14. Grant Writing – Most HBCU sponsored research offices are overwhelmed and under-appreciated. Grant writing is an art many campuses would be willing to pay for.
15. Counseling – Many HBCUs have student and faculty mental health concerns they want to address, but are equipped to handle with staff alone. If you can land on the list as a regular referral resource for an HBCU counseling center,