Colleges to Offer Scholarships at Weekend Expo

With limited resources, one woman set out to make a difference 13 years ago.

That woman, Theresa Pike, is the founder and executive director of the Black College Expo, which makes a stop at the at 9 a.m. Saturday.

School admissions officers will award college scholarships on the spot.

“It all began because I always wanted to do something for young people,” Pike said. “I realized something had to be done when I saw young Hispanic males in an inner city school getting misinformation intentionally because they were told they weren’t college material.”

Pike’s passion fueled the upstart of a non-profit designed with the intent of connecting underprivileged and disadvantaged kids with the resources they needed to get beyond their current set of circumstances. These kids, Pike notes, are often from homes where they worry about supporting their unemployed parents or have to fend for themselves and their siblings.

In an age when some reported statistics for black male high school dropout rates exceed 40 percent, one would think Pike’s job would be easy in getting concerned parents and educators out. However, the truth is that she finds parents in the black community by and large are not as engaged in their children’s education as they should be.

“It really starts as early as the fifth grade in reaching them," she said. "If you wait until high school, it’s too late."

For that reason, the Black College Expo works with a grassroots effort in reaching local area middle and high schools for the cities they visit. The expo currently tours throughout the year in five to seven U.S. cities - Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Oakland. Operated by the National College Resources Foundation, they are able to grant scholarships and resources with contributions from individual donors as well as corporate sponsors.

People attending the expo are likely to be surprised by the lineup of activities. Pike describes the expo as an “info-tainment affair” as parents and students who attend the event will gain crucial information on:

• Key skills necessary in getting accepted into colleges and HBCUs.

• Workshops and seminars on college readiness.

• Instructions on finding money for college.

• Tutorial programs for college preparation.

• Student-athlete seminar.

There are a total of 16 colleges waiving their application fees and accepting students that same day. High school band members will be given on-site auditions for an opportunity to receive on the spot scholarships as well. Band scholarships have ranged in the past from a $40,000 to $80,000 for a four-year scholarship.

“When you see these kids coming out crying with scholarships [in hand] who now believe in themselves, it’s what keeps me going,” Pike explained.

In addition to other activities, attendees will be entertained by America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC) recent winners, “The Swagger Crew,” along with the “KFC Step Show.’’ 

Pike leaves a parting message with every student she touches: “Dare yourself to be different. Do things differently.”

FREE MONEY

The Black College Expo is this Saturday, Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the , located at Two Galleria Parkway, across from Cumberland Mall. Admission is $10 or $8 online.