News From New York State
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
For Immediate Release: October 27, 2011
Contact: Bryant G. Gaspard | gaspard@nysenate.gov [7] | (518) 455-3531
**PRESS RELEASE**
THE 2011 BLACK COLLEGE EXPO
Jamaica, Queens (10/22/11) – Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) co-sponsored the annual Black College Expo event which took place this year at York College. Senator Huntley worked with Theresa Price, the Founder and Executive Director of the National College Resource Foundation which operates the Black College Expo, the past couple of years to bring higher education resources and information to the Southeast Queens community.
The Black College Expo serves as an educational outreach resource to help all students, especially those from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds. Over 2,000 students and parents attended the Expo to learn about different colleges and even be accepted on the spot to one they may like. Over 20 plus vendors which included many college recruiters were present at the Expo from Historically Black Colleges/Universities including, Bennett College, Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, Lincoln University, and Tuskegee University.
Several Seminars were also conducted to further inform students and parents about financial aid and literacy, career paths, information for student-athletes, and a “Real Talk” about college life. These seminars discussed a wide range of topics that students will encounter before, during, and after their college experience. The topics discussed included student loans, how to save and budget your money, intimate relationships, drugs, choosing a career, what to look for in a college/university, campus activities, internships, sports, academics, and pressures and positives of college life.
Senator Huntley, Theresa Price, Kel Mitchell actor, comedian, and host of the Black College Expo and radio station Hot 97 awarded and presented several scholarships to students to help them pursue their educational goals. Everyone involved with the Black College Expo talked about the importance of attaining a degree in higher education that will allow them to maximize their potential and have successful careers.
Senator Huntley would like to personally thank Theresa Price and the Black College Expo staff which included Rosetta Dantzler, Customer Service Manager, Diana Love, Operations Manager, Rachel Ortega, Office Manager, Brittny Richard, Events Coordinator, and KeVonna Scott, Marketing and Outreach Manager along with Lester R. Muse, Jr., Director of Veterans Affairs and the rest of her Senate staff. Everyone’s dedication, commitment, and work ethic helped to make the 2011 Black College Expo a great success!
The expo took place on Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at York College, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica, New York 11451, with an after-show from 3-5 p.m. The mission this year is to provide on-the-spot resources to help students and their families realize their dream of going to college and becoming successful students. One of the main seminar topics is "The Parent University", where parents will learn how to get funding for a college education via financial aid. BCE and The Scholarship Academy have been responsible for close to 3 million dollars in scholarships to students. Students will meet with various colleges, including 30+ historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). 11th and 12th grade students will have the opportunity to get accepted on the spot and get scholarships too.
The Black College Expo and its non-profit arm, National College Resources Foundation (NCRF), is a full service student and parent outreach program geared towards underrepresented youth and their families to curtail the high school drop out rate (currently at 30.1% nationally, according to EPE Research Center 2008) and to increase the college graduation rate among underrepresented and underserved groups. The organization provides services which connect students directly to colleges; scholarships; offers tutorial support; assisting student athletes secure athletic scholarships; and connect students to internship and career opportunities. “Our goal is to do all we can to make college a reality for more of our youth and guide them toward positive career choices,” says Founder, Theresa Price.
The day’s events culminate with scholarship presentations to deserving students, a Greek Step Show and surprise celebrity guests. Senator Huntley will be on hand to present scholarship awards. “Being a true believer in education, I'm excited to take part in such a valuable event that helps so many of our young people
pursue their dreams of going to college,” says Huntley.
The Black College Expo, visits five to seven cities annually including Los Angeles, Oakland, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Washington, DC/Maryland and New York, now in its 13th season, has helped to increase college enrollment tremendously, in some cases close to 50% at some HBCUs.
National sponsors for the 2011-2012 BCE include: Wells Fargo, KFC, Internal Revenue Service, Edison International, Nix Financial/Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Black Enterprise, Upscale Magazine, Union Bank, CVS/pharmacy, Black Enterprise and New Image Global.
