Black school counselors are a necessity–we don’t have enough
The American School Counselor Association reports that fewer than one in 10 guidance counselors are Black, a significant decline since 2020. Black students matched with a Black counselor are more likely to succeed academically and enroll in college after graduation.
The number of Black school counselors in the US is declining, with fewer than one in 10 guidance counselors identifying as Black, according to the American School Counselor Association. This decline is significant, dropping from 11% in 2020 to 8% in 2025. Research shows that Black students with Black counselors are more likely to succeed academically and enroll in college. Dr. Tylon Crook, an assistant professor of counselor education, cited isolation and lack of support as reasons Black school counselors leave the profession. Dr. Bernell Elzey Jr. noted that Black counselors provide a cultural touch, understanding the nuances of Black students' experiences. Efforts to increase the number of Black school counselors are underway, such as the Los Angeles Unified School District's $80 million Black Student Achievement Plan, which has hired 60 school counselors.
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