Malcolm Bernard HBCU Fair Comes to South Jersey, Gives Students a Glimpse into Future
1. Students of Hampton University class of 2023 posing for a picture short before their graduation ceremony, Photo by Emmanuel Young
BY EMMANUEL YOUNG | For AC JosepH Media
WILLINGBORO — A major HBCU college fair will be held in New York, Philadelphia, and all areas of New Jersey from Nov. 16-22 for students planning on going to a four-year college.
The Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair is a volunteer black-owned organization that works with the community and states to educate aspiring students about Historically Black Colleges & and universities’ opportunities to apply to them.
They do this by holding workshops to teach students about the different HBCUs and annual College Fairs in New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia.
“Since 1999, the organization founded by my late husband, Malcolm, has partnered with community groups and state agencies to introduce nearly 200,000 diverse students to Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help students reach their higher education goals,” Barbara Bernard, the executive director of the organization, said.
There are currently 101 Historically Black Colleges and Universities dotted across the United States that strive to offer higher education opportunities for young Blacks. Many notable figures in the United States, including scientists, celebrities, civil rights leaders, and political leaders, went to an HBCU.
Originally, it gave African Americans the opportunity to receive higher education because of segregation in the South during Jim Crow. These schools are located in areas that had a large population of African Americans in places like Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Louisiana, Florida, and Maryland.
“When I was there, Jim Crow was just abolished and our president was allowing Caucasian students to enroll at our college,” Nancy Butler, an alum of West Virginia State Class of 1964, said. “He wanted West Virginia State to become a living laboratory. They came in droves since it was cheaper than a predominantly white institution.”
Since the abolishment of that law, these institutions have integrated and become schools that created a new culture in the Black community. Greek organizations founded on their campus by students that aim to uplift the black community.
Many people who’ve gone to these schools believe in the importance of these institutions, the culture found on their campuses, and the strong relationships between alums and other graduates of Historically black colleges.
“The importance of going to an HBCU is a way a lot of minorities feel represented and the importance of having connections with others such as a fraternity, sorority, friend, or even a peer group,” Jamel Rogers, an alum of Hampton University, said. “Another importance for HBCUs is creating opportunities for students to find their happiness and self-gratitude in their field.”
As of Nov. 6, the organization expects representatives from 37 HBCUs for the six-day event in South Jersey, Trenton, Central Jersey, North Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York. The colleges come as far north as Delaware State to as far south as Xavier University in Louisiana.
The events will be at community centers, high schools, and colleges.
New York’s will take place Nov. 16 at the Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and North Jersey’s will take place at Kean University on November 21st from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Trenton’s event will be at Mercer County Community College from noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 17. John F Kennedy Recreation Center in Willingboro will host the South Jersey event on Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
North Jersey will be at Kean University on Nov. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Central Jersey will be at Raritan Valley Community College on Nov. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The organizers encourage students to register for the event in the closest area of their community and visit the event. They recommend students bring a copy of their classes’ academic transcripts for the recruiters to review and a letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, or personal connection, like a parent.
Parents are also welcome to attend the event on behalf of their children and ask questions regarding the school and resources.
Visitors may ask: “What security measures are in place on campus? What scholarships are offered? What companies have hired your students? I’d like to know the campus demographic.”
The event is free for the public, and people can register on their website. Registration will remain open until the event ends.
For more on the Malcolm Bernard College Fair HBCU, Search: https://www.hbcu-cfnj.com/hbcu-school-search.
For locations and registration, go to Malcolm Bernard HBCU College fair event location and registration:https://www.hbcu-cfnj.com/events
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