The problem of this investigation was to identify the persuasive speaking techniques of private Black college and university presidents in their fund-raising efforts to support the educational programs of Negro colleges and universities. This study did not seek to defend nor justify the arguments for the existence nor nonexistence of these institutions. It focused on techniques of speaking whereby men attempted to alter reality by adjusting ideas to people and people to ideas. The evidence tended to support the conclusion that there is some relationship between speaking and fund-raising. The speeches probably produced some effect on the audiences. They (1) provided a voice to make the appeals for funds, (2) defended the posture of private Black colleges and universities, (3) provided a primary source of information about these institutions, (4) reinforced common beliefs, and (5) provided impetus for the like-minded to persevere.