While many youth spend their spring break catching up on sleep, hanging with family and friends, or even playing video games, 10 Flint high school students invested in their future.
In what was undoubtedly an exhilarating journey, a group of high school students, under the guidance of Shonta Price, Community School Director, and Kentazia Presswood, Expanded Learning Coordinator, from the Flint Center for Educational Excellence, embarked on a transformative spring break tour. They visited renowned institutions such as Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Howard University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Winston Salem University, and North Carolina A&T. This immersive experience, centered around historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), provided our Flint youth with a glimpse into a future enriched by the vibrant HBCU culture.
The opportunity was made possible through generous support from the C. S. Mott Foundation, an Out-of-School Time grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education, as well as in collaboration with The Motivational Foundation, a non-profit led by Flint native Blake E. Odum, CEO, dedicated to empowering and educating youth.
In preparation for the trip, participating students from Accelerated Learning Academy explored their desired field of study, dove deeper into campus life and college culture at an HBCU, and learned historical background on each college/university.
Community School Director Price shared, “Deciding on a career path requires vision, while exposure illuminates the pathway to that decision. The HBCU Tour achieved both, helping our students envision possibilities beyond their norms and exposing them to opportunities for personal and business endeavors. My goal as a Community School Director is to ensure they thrive in these opportunities.”
On the trip, literally from dawn to dusk, our Flint students traveled to the campuses, connected with college representatives and even found time to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture and visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
“Watching scholars get the opportunity to explore their culture and develop a genuine passion for learning in a post-secondary setting is truly a rewarding journey. It’s hard to not love the work that I get to do every day when I’m able to watch scholars break down doors to new perspectives and thrive for excellence!” commented Expanded Learning Coordinator Presswood. The long hours of preparation and chaperoning for a six-day trip like the HBCU tour for our Flint Center staff are worth it when we get to hear students like Briyanna Wilson share, “It’s not about where you have been, it’s about what you’re willing to do to get to where you want to go. This tour has made me realize that Morgan State was a University I would like to explore more.”
College, career, and community positive programs and activities are offered at all 16 partner schools through the Flint Center as part of our transition strategies to support our Flint kids thriving. To find out more about the opportunities provided at each school, connect with your local CSD.
By Kerry Downs
Chief Program Officer
kdowns@theflintcenter.org
