New York City’s Riverbank State Park draws a huge crowd of over 2,700 high school students
(Long Island, NY) Over 2,700 attendees including, prospective college students and their families converged at Riverbank State Park to take part in the New York Urban League’s 29th Annual HBCU Fair to meet with more than fifty schools and resource exhibitors and learned about the college application process from experts. Partnering with Riverbank State Park, the NYUL’s Young Professionals, the Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair, and Hot 97, the NYUL brought opportunity to students who may not otherwise have access to these schools. This event was sponsored by McDonald’s All Day Breakfast.
For over two decades, the NYUL has worked with the HBCU community to bring schools and students together. Representatives from schools including Morgan State, Benedict College, Spelman College, Virginia State University, and Howard University offered guidance to students with questions about their choice of majors, the application process and more. There were workshops that informed students and parents about strategies for applying to schools, how to prepare for the SAT college admission tests, and the best ways to navigate through the financial aid process.
“We are so thrilled to be able to host this event each and every year with our wonderful partners and supporters. This Fair gives students and their families a chance to become familiar with the college search process and gives students an opportunity to re-imagine what is possible as they see and speak to people who look like then who graduated from college, “ said Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League.
The gymnasium filled with cheers and applause when students received on-site admissions and scholarships. Since the schools are committed to assisting students with aid to ease the financial burden associated with attending college, the sounds of cheers was heard all through the event. Last year participating schools waived 2,004 application fees; awarded 212 scholarships totaling $179,000; and 621 students were admitted onsite.
A much anticipated feature of the day is panel discussion focused on the HBCU Experience and the doors that it can open. HBCU graduates shared their experiences and insight with the audience. NYUL Young Professional Julius Jones facilitated an all-star panel that included Dariana Colon-Bibb, Spelman College, Brittney Blackmon, Howard University, Nyoka Gracey, Shaw University, Errol Brown, Texas Southern University, Kevin Matthews, Hampton University, Antoinette Bell, Clark Atlanta University and Danielle Cornwall, Hampton & Howard Universities. The panel was followed by a high energy Mid-Day Step Show & Drumline presentation kicked off by a Greek Stroll. The introduction to HBCU life fittingly ended with an explosive performance by the Brooklyn United Marching Band, Official Marching Band of The Nets.
As part of NYUL’s Absolute Success College Access Program each attendee received the League’s published, ‘A Parent’s Guide to College’ as well as “A Parent’s Guide to STEM.” The Guides answers common questions raised by parents at the HBCU Fairs and provide information on careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Both were written for parents to help their children successfully navigate the timelines and requirements involved for college and select coursework for successful careers.
