Print
by 
2012 Black College Expo
By Ricky Richardson
Los Angeles-They came from points North,East,South and West.They arrived by the carloads,school buses,chartered buses,metro buses and rail,motorcycles,bicycles and a few were able to walk to the location.I'm speaking about the thousands of students,parents,teachers and counselors who attended the 13th Annual Black College Expo in Los Angeles presented by The National College Resources Foundation.This popular community event was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday,January 28,2012, from 9am-5pm.
This is the 13th Annual Black College Expo.The Expo has helped over 375,000 plus students get into college.This years mission was to provide on-the-spot resources to help students and thier families realized their dream of going to college and becoming successful students.
Representatives from 40 plus HBCU's and Colleges were actively engaged with potential students from morning until late afternoon answering questions and accepting students on the spot.Scholarships were also presented.
The Expo featured many informative,educational seminars on the upper level of the Convention Center.Freshman 101-"Why Attend an HBCU" Benefits of a Private College,presented by Cal Baptist University,Financial Aid/Scholarship-How to Find Money for College:Scholarships,Resources and More,presented by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Strategies to Improve Your SAT or ACT Score-Princeton Review,Real Talk-411 for the Student Athletes,and one of my favorites Building Dollars for College:Financial Literacy-How to Think and Grow Rich.I was really excited that a new featured of the Black College Expo was available.Band Auditions were held all day for the talented student musicians.
I was fortunate to have met Danielle Spencer-Fields at the Black College Expo.You fondly remember her as she is famously known as Dee from the 70's and 80's ABC sitcom "What's Happening" and "What's Happening Now." Wouldn't you like to know that Dr.Danielle Spencer-Fields is presentley a practicing veterinarian in Southern California.She was at the Black College to greet her fans and signing copies of Through The Fire-Journal of a Child Star by Dr. Danielle Spencer-Fields and Cheryl Pelt.The book describes Danielle Spencer-Fields "surreal transition from her life in New York City to Hollywood.Told with humor,she describes her life activities after the show, "What's Happening" ended,until she met with a challenge that reveals her inner strength.This is a inspiring book that will lift the spirits of both young and old.To order copies of the book,or read inspirational messages by Dr.Danielle Spencer-Fields visit www.daniellespencer.net
The Step Show begin promptly at 3pm.Kel Mitchell,actor/comedian from Nickelodeon sitcoms "Kenan & Kel," "Dance Fu," "All That," and "Good Burger" served as Master of Ceremonies.The crowd got worked into a frenzy witnessing several invited parents dancing on stage.The youth of today can't claim to have a monopoly on the popular dances of the day.The Show continued with the Scholarship Presentation.Checks were presented to many deserving students.The Show kicked into high gear with a performances by High School Step Teams:View Park Steppers,Morningside High Kappa Leaguers and Silverado Dance Hawks.The Morningside High Kappa Leaguers won the competotion.
Additional highlights of the Step Show were performances by E1(E-One),and Go Gettas who performed "I Don't Need Nobody Else," and "Dreamin" which is experiencing lots of rotations on Power 106FM.The Step Show concluded with a Greek Step Show,performances by several fraternities and sororities.
The Black College Expo and its non-profit arm,National College Resources Foundation(NCRF),is a full service student outreach program geared towards underserved and underrepresented youth and their families to help curtail the high school drop out rate(currently at 28% nationally,and 43% among Blacks and Hispanics,according to Education Week,June 2011)and to increase enrollment to college and the graduation rate.The organization provides services which connect students directly to colleges;scholarships;offers tutorial support;assisting students athletes secure athletic scholarships;financial literacy,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/Executive Director Theresa Price.
The Black College Expo,visits five cities annually including Los Angeles,Oakland,Atlanta,New york and Washington,D.C./Maryland.Now in its thirteenth year,BCE has helped to increase college enrollment tremendously,in some cases by as much as 50% at some HBCU's according to college recruiters.
NCR Foundation/Black College Expo has helped over 375,000 students get into college,and given away over $500,000 in scholarships.
National Sponsors for the 2012 BCE include:Wells Fargo,McDonald's,Internal Revenue Service,Edison International,Black Enterprise,The Gas Co,CVS/Pharmacy,New York Life and Union Bank.For more information about the BCE,tickets,exhibitor,and sponsorship opportunities,please contact the corporate offices at:(877)427-4100 or visit www.thecollegeexpo.org
###
Print
Report abuse
