Article originally published on Bayou Beat News
The 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina struck down affirmative action, introducing significant challenges for Black students pursuing higher education. For Natalie Greene, a high-achieving senior from Houston, Texas, the decision represents a deeply personal barrier to her dreams of academic excellence and representation.
Standing tall at 6’1”, Natalie commands attention for her remarkable accomplishments. Ranked in the top 10% of her class with a 4.1 GPA, the Fort Bend Independent School District student juggles leadership roles as homecoming queen, student body president, and captain of the Willowridge High School Lady Eagles varsity basketball team, proudly donning jersey #24. Born deaf and hard-of-hearing, Natalie aspires to study American Sign Language (ASL) at a prestigious institution, hoping to create meaningful change within the Deaf community.
The Legacy of Affirmative Action
Like so many deserving students, Natalie’s path has been shaped by systemic inequities that affirmative action policies sought to address for decades. These programs helped create pathways for marginalized students to access higher education, with undeniable impact: in 1980, only 19% of Black individuals aged 18-24 were enrolled in college; by 2022, that number had risen to 36%.
Now, with race-conscious admissions dismantled, these gains are at risk. The effects are already visible. Harvard University reported a 17% decline in Black enrollment for its incoming class this year, raising concerns about the long-term implications for diversity and equity in higher education.
“The admissions process has always been competitive, but now it feels like my background, which should be seen as an asset, is invisible,” Natalie explained. “I’ve worked hard to be where I am, but this decision makes it feel like I have to prove myself even more—just to be seen.”
The Privilege Gap
Privilege and access have long shaped admissions at elite institutions. Former President Barack Obama, reflecting on his experiences at Harvard and in politics, highlighted the disconnect between perceived prestige and actual merit during a recent discussion on The Pivot Podcast.
“Michelle and I, we always talk about this when we are mentoring young people. We always tell them, ‘Do not let people think you do not belong because, I promise you, once you sit at these tables, at these fancy places with folks with fancy titles and they got a big bank account, and you talk to them and go, ‘Oh, they ain’t all that,’” Obama said. “This idea that somehow they’re so special, they’re so smart, they’re so sophisticated—not really.’”
When it comes to opportunities, the inequities are stark. Ivanka Trump’s husband Jared Kushner’s admission to Harvard, for example, reportedly followed a $2.5 million donation from his father despite questions about his academic credentials. Research shows that 43% of white students admitted to Harvard from 2014-2019 fell into the “ALDC” category—athletes, legacies, children of donors, or faculty. A 2023 study revealed that 75% of these students would not have been admitted based on academics alone.
Natalie does not have that same type of privilege.
“My mother is a media professional, and my father, a military veteran and registered nurse, passed away during the pandemic,” she said. “They taught me the value in working hard, volunteering and giving back to the community, and that’s something money can’t buy.”
A Narrow Field of Dreams
Natalie’s dual ambitions present unique challenges. She dreams of studying ASL, but only a few Ivy League schools, such as Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania, offer ASL programs. Nationwide, fewer than 3% of colleges provide specialized ASL interpretation programs, making competition for these spots intense.
On top of that, Natalie hopes to play college basketball. As captain of her varsity team, she’s averaging double-doubles and inspiring her teammates. Yet, with fewer than 4% of high school basketball players recruited to college teams, the odds are slim. Natalie understands these challenges intimately—she co-produced a documentary with her brother, Hoop Dreams Deferred, exploring the barriers faced by aspiring athletes like herself.
“I want to be a leader in ASL interpretation, bridging gaps for people like me,” Natalie said. “But the options are so limited. Add basketball to that, and the competition gets even tougher.”
HBCUs: A Beacon of Hope, But Not a Perfect Fit
Many Black students have turned to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in response to the Supreme Court ruling. Applications to these institutions have surged, offering culturally affirming environments where students can thrive. However, for Natalie, the lack of specialized ASL programs at most HBCUs complicates this alternative.
“I love what HBCUs represent, and I know they create a space where students like me can succeed,” Natalie shared. “But my dream program doesn’t exist at many, so it’s a hard choice.”
On a Mission to Succeed
Despite the obstacles, Natalie’s story is one of resilience.
“Growing up with hearing loss, I faced speech challenges and was teased as a child, but I never let that stop me,” she said. “I studied ballet, competed in oratory contests, switched to basketball—despite never having dribbled a ball—and became captain within a year. I also model, draw, play piano, compete in beauty pageants, and dream of becoming Miss America one day.”
Natalie doesn’t share her accomplishments to boast but to show what’s possible. She sees her disability as the driving force behind her relentless determination to prove that no challenge is insurmountable.
“Even without affirmative action, I’ll keep pushing forward,” Natalie declared. “This is my future, and no decision—Supreme Court or otherwise—will take it from me.”
Natalie is slated to graduate in May 2025 with both a high school diploma and an associate degree in computer science through The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) dual enrollment program. As she fills out college applications and pursues her dreams, we look forward to sharing a positive update on her remarkable journey.