As the bus drove by the Washington Monument, Principal Jeff Palladino got on the loudspeaker to tell everyone to look to their right. Most students saw this and realized they were no longer in the Bronx but on a trip to HBCU colleges.
HBCUs are Historically Black Colleges and Universities that celebrate Black culture but still accept other races. HBCUs were created to give Black Americans access to higher education because in white institutions Black people weren’t legally allowed. These institutions are important because they give Black students the chance to be around people just like them.
Jeff partners up with people every year for a few juniors to go on the HBCU college trip for two days around the DMV area (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) to get a chance to see what college is like before they go off to college. Or, if they didn’t want to go to college, maybe the trip will change their mind.
This trip is important because it allows Fannie Lou high school junior students to live college life for two nights and experience the types of food they eat out of state. It also lets students know how long the classes are, and most importantly, if you’re Black, you’ll be mainly around people like you. This experience can help you decide if you want created for them.
Many 10th graders already go on a SUNY trip to be exposed to what college is like. But the HBCU trip allows students to experience what it’s like to go to school out of to go to an HBCU, go to a dorm on campus, or even go to college at all.
When asked, Jeff stated why students go on the junior HBCU trip and said, “It’s important for students to visit a variety of different colleges. It’s especially important to go see Historically Black Colleges because 40% of our school is Black, and it’s good for students to be around other black students.” Jeff later said it’s important because it gives students a handful of different choices to decide if they want to go to an HBCU with mainly Black people or to other mixed colleges to explore and learn more about other races.
Kyheem, a Black staff member at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, said,“HBCUs changed from when I was in college until now, because HBCUs attract more attention from students who play sports or are more into academics.” Kyheem’s interview revealed that, as a Black man who finished college, he wishes he had gone to an HBCU. He heard it felt like home being around people of your own race.
Josiah, a senior who attended the trip, said, “Yes, it’s important for Black students to go on the HBCU trip so they can see its community for people like them.” Josiah believes that the HBCU college trip is beneficial mainly for Hispanic and Black people because it is a community created for them. Many 10th graders already go on a SUNY trip to be exposed to what college is like. But the HBCU trip allows students to experience what it’s like to go to school out of state and also go to school with students who are the same race as them. This is a trip all students should experience because it gives them a chance to see if they want to go to an HBCU or even go to college at all.