The Iota Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and Pi Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. recently partnered with Homestead Senior High School to host the school’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Fair.
The objective of the event was to expose Homestead students to the vast academic and athletic opportunities offered by institutions created to meet the higher education demands of African Americans prior to the Civil Rights Act.
For a century following the abolishment of slavery in the United States (in 1865), African Americans in the southern states were denied admission to postsecondary institutions for their education. Similarly, several universities across the country adopted quota policies which restricted the enrollment number of blacks to their institutions.
Thus, colleges and universities created for students of African descent were founded to educate subsequent generations of black intellectuals and professionals of color. Currently, there are over 100 HBCUs across the continental U.S. and Caribbean islands between the private and public sectors of education.
The college fair featured on-site admission and scholarship opportunities for qualified students to attend some of our nation’s top HBCUs. Attendees received a “Passport for Success” which contained suggested questions for college admission officers, answered general questions on securing financial aid, and provide a comprehensive list of participating schools. Students who visited all the suggested stops to college admission were eligible to participate in raffles for cash prizes, gift cards to local attractions, or college survival guide publication.
By the fair’s completion, organizers were able to serve 1,000 students and award 60 college acceptance letters with scholarship offers during the event.
HBCU partners in attendance: Howard University, Philander Smith College, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Shaw University, North Carolina Central University, Florida Memorial University, Morehouse College, Grambling StateUniversity, and Tennessee State University. Tougaloo College, Forth Valley State University, Albany State University, Savannah State University, Hampton University, University of Maryland- Eastern Shore, Benedict College, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina A&T University, Alabama State University, and Talladega College also provide collateral materials to support the activity.
The program helped to initiate a newly forged agreement between Homestead High School and its 30 HBCU Partners to recruit students from the area and offer them sufficient support and financial resources to attend their respective universities.
