As part of Legacy Week on Martha’s Vineyard, the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) college fair and youth exposition was held at Union Chapel on Tuesday afternoon.
The event was organized by Cynthia Bradshaw, an alumnus of Hampton College.
“I fell in love with going to college fairs and talking to the young people, talking to their parents, talking to them about the uniqueness of going to a Historically Black College and University,” Ms. Bradshaw said.
Inside the chapel, alumni and current students sat at tables representing six different colleges: Spelman College, Howard University, Morehouse College, Tuskegee University, Hampton University and Morgan State University.
Ms. Bradshaw said she wanted to pay forward her HBCU experience.
“I saw all these young people and I said, other than them seeing us walk around in our paraphernalia, let’s start doing something for them to learn about our universities,” she said.
A panel of speakers included Dr. Joya Hicks, Andrea Horton and Gwen Thomas.
Ms. Hicks is an associate professor of special education at Kennesaw State University, and attended Hampton University as an undergraduate. She spoke about college readiness, how to start applying and making the right college choice.
“Think about what your own reflection is, what is the legacy, the areas you’re interested in,” she said.
Ms. Horton is the chief programs officer at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which provides educational scholarships, and an alumnus of Spelman College.
“The goal is to make sure that these students leave today understanding how to navigate their college career and maximize their experience,” she said.
“Understanding yourself is critical, and an HBCU provides a holistic education for young African American students,” Ms. Horton continued. “This is a great network for people and a launching pad for life.”
Ms. Thomas, the last speaker on the panel, has been instrumental in helping families pay for college.
“I’m glad that these families are here, eager to learn,” she said. “I’m excited that these parents are still making sure that their young people get on a journey of success.”
Dr. Lorna Andrade, a longtime Vineyard resident and the former vice president of the NAACP Vineyard branch, volunteered at the event.
“We have to support our black and brown children,” she said. “They have to know and learn our history, our true history, and have mentors like me.”
Ms. Bradshaw said she was pleased with the inaugural event.
“This event and these universities are created in love,” said Ms. Bradshaw. “They were educating formally enslaved folks, or their allies, their friends, religious organizations who decided we are going to educate this population of people so that they can be successful, so that they can be vital, so that they can contribute, so that they can elevate themselves.”
