A “Black Ivy league” research university has set its sights on expanding into a Bay Area city, and it’s not San Francisco, despite the recent attention that city has been receiving from universities across the nation.A spokesperson for Howard University, the historically Black, private university in Washington, D.C, confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle that the school has been engaged in talks with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee about expanding into the East Bay city — but stopped short of confirming concrete plans.“We have had preliminary discussions with Mayor Lee, but it is premature to discuss any real estate endeavors in this area at this time,” the spokesperson said in a statement to the Chronicle.Lee’s office also acknowledged the initiative to bring Howard to the city.“I have been leading discussions with Howard University and will continue to engage with them about exploring opportunities in Oakland,” Lee said in a statement.
