Long-range planning to increase the participation of black Americans in higher education and to enhance historically black colleges and universities is addressed. Demographic trends concerning the black population and their representation in higher education are examined along with implications of projections about higher education. Labor market projections are also assessed. Demographic information includes the following: black and white dropouts in selected age groups (16-19, 20-24, and 25-34 years old) in 1970 and 1975-79, black and white college enrollment, enrollment of blacks by type of institution, enrollment and degrees conferred in historically black colleges 1966-79, and representation of blacks in the professions of medicine, dentistry, and law. Implications of projections made by major researchers are considered and include the following areas: undergraduate enrollment declines, recruitment of part-time and older students, recruitment of minority and low income groups to rectify declining enrollments, increased enrollments in the community colleges, continued expansion of middle income student aid programs, budget cuts and shrinking tax dollars, reduction in the number of faculty, and vigorous state-level higher education planning. The economic and educational implications for black America of labor market projections are considered. Goals for achieving higher education equity for blacks and recommended activities for achieving the goals are addressed. Among the areas of concern are the following: increasing black higher education enrollment, particularly in degree programs and in scientific and technical fields; increasing opportunities for blacks to enroll in graduate and professional schools and participate in postdoctoral research, increasing black retention and graduation rates, and increasing the number of black faculty and administrators. A second volume details how recommended actions might be implemented. (SW)