The Center for Cardiovascular Diseases (CCD) was established in 1999 as a joint initiative of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health and Texas Southern University with the goal to enhance biomedical research capability of TSU in the hope of discovering solutions to health and other problems that disproportionately affect urban minorities. There are two units in the CCD, namely, Hypertension and Vascular Biology Units.  Each unit is engaged in research activities targeted at such diseases as hypertension, renal failure, cerebral stroke, and diabetes - diseases that are prominent among African Americans. Research projects in the Center comprise the following: angiogenesis, platelet physiology, cardiovascular development including vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis, endothelial and smooth muscle cell biology, and renal physiology. The activities in the Center include, but not limited to seminars, journal clubs, laboratory training of undergraduate and graduate students, and advanced training for postdoctoral fellows, as well as community outreach. Funding for the various projects come not only from institutional (cooperative) and individual (RO1, R15, R25) grants from the NIH, the American Heart Association (Scientist Development Grant), and private organizations like Astra Zeneca Inc. Over the few years of establishment of the Center, a number of national accolades have been worn by investigators in the Center and by undergraduate students who participated in the yearly Summer Research programs of the Center. The personnel in the Center include individuals with MD/DVM and/or PhD degrees with specialized training in research activities that compliment the overall goal of the Center. In addition, five nationally recognized scientists across the country serve in advisory capacities and robust collaborations have been established with research institutions nationally and internationally.