PROGRAM STRUCTURE
These workshops help students build a strong sense of community, so they feel confident, supported, and ready to take on out-of-town campus tours. Through fun team-building activities and interactive exercises, students make friends, build trust, and learn to carry themselves with pride and confidence — heads held high as they explore new opportunities and step into their potential.
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At the same time, students dive into a series of engaging sessions that explore the history and legacy of HBCUs while tackling contemporary issues that matter to them. Workshops feature panels with HBCU alumni and current students, financial literacy talks, college application guidance, scholarship information, and hands-on support to navigate the entire process.
Community building activities to strengthen trust and connections
Guided group discussions to explore ideas and share perspectives
Collaborative readings and reflections to deepen understanding
Analyze topics in the media to connect learning to the world around them
These workshops not only provide students with knowledge about HBCUs and education but also foster confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging as they navigate their college journey together.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
Challenging Bias & Building Equity (Anti-Racism)
Empowering Students & Choice in Learning(Educational freedom)
Navigating School Challenges(Educational survival complex)
Celebrating Diversity & Inclusion(Multiculturalism)
Understanding Integration & Its Impact(Desegregation)
Shaping What and How We Learn(Curricular and pedagogical reform)
Transforming Education(School reform movements)
Funding Schools Fairly (School finance reform)
PROGRAM IMPACT
PARTICIPANTS WERE ASKED:
On a scale from 1 to 10, please rate what your level of awareness and knowledge of HBCUs BEFORE and AFTER participating in Journeys.
PILOT YEAR
3.75
8.38
Before
After
WORKSHOP STRUCTURE
Balancing whole group discussions and grade-level activities, each workshop will have a similar structure.
15 minute check in
40 minutes group meeting
20 minute dinner break
45 minute breakout group by grade level
GRADE LEVEL ACTIVITIES
All grade levels will focus on making connections, building confidence, being part of a community and finding joy together.
GRADE 10
BUILDING PORTFOLIOS
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Discovering students’ interests, career goals and GPAs.
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​Strengthening self advocacy skills.
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Learning where HBCUs are and exploring the region .
GRADE 11
REFINING PORTFOLIOS
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Research scholarships and financial aid.
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Brainstorm essay topics.
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Review college application process.
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Draft personal essay.
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Create list of HBCUs to apply to match student's needs.
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Outline submission deadlines.
GRADE 12
COMPLETING PORTFOLIOS
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Finalizing personal essays.
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Applying to HBCUs.
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Applying to scholarships and grants.
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Meeting all deadlines established in Grade 11 programming.