Brookdales Historical Black College University Fair is a Must-Attend event for our African American Young People
Recently, Brookdale University sponsored its 5th Annual Historically Black College and
University Fair in the student Union. Nearly 50 colleges were present and many of the tables were staffed by local alumni of note.
Learning of the event on short notice, I was able to bring 8 students from 8th - 11th grade
to this important event. It was much better than I imagined and the kids really got into
it and were asking the right questions about college and their future.
Some of the most engaging conversations were between the students (all Red Bank kids) and
RBR alumni who were representing their college. On several occasions, they knew each other
directly or thru relatives.
There was some very candid conversations about what it takes to get into college and how important it was to get away from the streets of Red Bank and break the cycle.
Each college also shared with the students that no matter how much they have "screwed up
so far", that it is not too late but they have to change their academic and social habits
that night.
Each of the students brought home lots of information about colleges, learned names of
lots of new colleges and most importantly came away with the realization that with sincere
effort and passion they can go to college.
