7. Georgetown University
In 1838, Georgetown University’s Jesuit leaders infamously sold 272 enslaved men, women, and children to pay off the school’s debts and secure its financial future. This transaction, one of the most documented and impactful in higher education history, directly funded the institution’s survival and growth. Georgetown has since initiated a public reconciliation process, including memorialization, scholarships for descendants, and attempts at reparative action. For a deeper look into this legacy and the university’s ongoing efforts, read the detailed coverage by The New York Times.
