Foundation's inaugural HBCU college fair a huge success

Local high school students and their families learned about the college application process and gained knowledge about what it's like to go to college at a college fair on Saturday.

Dozens of students and families attended the Common Black College Hybrid HBCU College Fair that was hosted by the Education Equalizer Foundation, a nonprofit organization, whose mission of is to equalize the chances of underserved, minority and other students’ opportunities to be prepared not only to attend college, but to be successful in college. The event was held at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, 837 SE Seventh Ave.

Those attending learned about HBCUs and had the opportunity to have their application fees waived at schools participating in the event through the Education Equalizer Foundation’s collaboration with Common Black College Application.

Carjie Scott, chair and founder of EEF who also works for the Digital Recruitment, Enrollment Partnership & Virtual Engagement department at Tennessee State University, said the waiving of application fees helped alleviate the financial stress of high school students who want to go to college.

“It’s important, especially if they want to go to college,” Scott said. “They have more options the sooner they sign up instead of waiting last minute. This will be a cost saver.”

It has been a year since Scott released her book, “You Are Accepted: How to Get Accepted into College and Life!”

The Southside Chicago native discussed in her book why colleges and universities must revisit their policies and procedures to ensure access and equity for all students, particularly for Black students.

Through EEF, Scott wants to make sure students who want to go to college have the tools to enroll and graduate.

“I want students to know that there is a community that exists in Gainesville that’s willing to help them,” Scott said. “We are here to give what we can to help our community.”

Students had a chance to meet in person with admissions’ representatives from Bethune-Cookman University, located in Daytona Beach; Edward Waters University, located in Jacksonville; Florida Memorial University, located in Opa-Locka in Miami-Dade County and Tennessee State University, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They also had access to more than 20 admissions’ representatives from other HBCUs via Facebook Live.

“I see the problem and the Education Equalizer helps with the solution,” Scott said. “We’re here to help them go to college, develop study skills and teach them how to write essays.”

Kandra Albury, EEF’s secretary, said she was excited for students to have the opportunity to speak to admissions’ representatives, receive scholarships and have application fees waived.

As a first-generation college student herself, Albury hopes the HBCU fair encourages students to get a college education and have it change their lives like it did hers.

“I’ve always had a dream, and education is what fueled it,” Albury said. “I have gifts and education helped me sharpen them. Education changed the trajectory of my life. It allows me to be the beacon of hope to those who come after me.”

Gainesville High School student Rei Hines Jr. attended the event to speak with admissions’ representatives and learn more about the college admissions process.

“I learned that there was an application that allows me to send my application to all the HBCUs,” Hines said.

Hines is in the Manhood Youth Development program, a mentoring program for school-age boys operated by the Manhood Youth Development Foundation's arm of the Beta Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. in Gainesville, and said he is thinking about attending Florida A&M University or Bethune-Cookman University.

He said he plans on studying business management, sports health and digital media.

His mother, Tracey Hines, said she was impressed with how the event helped students get prepared for college.

“The exposure is needed, especially since the pandemic,” she said.

Ishmael Clayton, an admissions' representative for Edward Waters University, shared his experience about what it is like to be an HBCU student and encouraged the high school students to go to college.

“There’s a lot more pride going to an HBCU,” Clayton said. “You feel good about yourself. Go to college and be the best person you can be.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Dozens of students attended the Education Equalizer Foundation's HBCU College Fair