The San Diego County Office of Education will connect high school students with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) later this week, in a targeted effort to get them to apply. It’s an event hundreds of students from San Diego Unified and surrounding school districts are invited to join.
College transfer students are also invited to the free event where they can meet one-on-one with more than 25 HBCUs, as they are known. College representatives will offer some on-the-spot scholarships, and even acceptance letters, in some cases, for students who provide transcripts.
At University City High School in La Jolla, the Black Student Union is actively recruiting students to join a field trip to the expo. Jabze Solomon, 17, is president of the Black Student Union and a young man committed to his education and community. He said, “Black History Month for me is not only focusing on the history but also the present and the future.”
His first choice for college is UC Berkeley. He is open to other options and endorses applications to HBCUs, saying, “You’re gonna have a better experience just because there are people who look like you and there are more people that look like you. You’re not going to be afraid to express yourself as a Black student.”
Representation is also important to Imani Ojutomori,16, who is a junior at University City High School and the vice president of the Black Student Union. She told KPBS News the events of the past two years have impacted her plans for college and the future.
“As a Black person, I should not let these things happen and sort of just sit by," Ojutomori said. "I should be more engaged and active with my community going forward with the advancements Black people have already made and make something with these advancements.”
San Diego County Office of Education 5th Annual Black College Expo
in partnership with the National College Resources Foundation
Thursday, February 17, 2022
12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
MLK Center at Bayview
6134 Pastor Timothy J Winter St.
San Diego, CA 92114
Students must register at www.thecollegeexpo.org
For more information visit www.blackcollegeexpo.com
