The work of the National Advisory Committee on Black Higher Education and Black Colleges and Universities during 1977-1982 is discussed, and information and recommendations on black students and black colleges are presented. After describing the committee's background and functions, the following issues concerning equity for black Americans in higher education are considered: student financial aid; admission, retention, and graduation rates; the role of Targeted Educational Opportunity Programs; the President's Executive Order, the White House Initiative Office, and the private sector initiative; and the Adams case and desegregation of higher education. Recommendations are offered concerning financial aid to low income students, research and teaching assistantships for black students, specific student financial aid programs, approaches to lowering the dropout rate for pre-college students, the use of standardized tests, two-year colleges and articulation between them and four-year schools, graduate/professional education, science/technology and fields that are underrepresented, and targeted programs and support services. Appendices include: highlights of committee reports, including commissioned studies and fact sheets, a summary of recommendations from correspondence and reports, and a list of committee members. (SW)