17th Annual Oakland Black College Expo

The Black College Expo is an event the highlights over 50 of the 104 historically black colleges and universities, along with other higher learning institutions and educational services. It was developed 18 years ago to serve as a vital link between minorities and college admissions. Although the purpose is to educate ALL students about HBCUs and the college admission process, you’ll find public colleges, private colleges, ivy leagues, baby ivies, and even military colleges on site. The overall goal is to encourage and promote the importance of higher education, while providing positive guidance and pathways towards positive post-secondary pursuits for students from underserved and underrepresented communities.

The Black College Expo underlines the mission of curtailing the high school dropout rate and increasing the enrollment to degree and/or certificate programs among underserved and underrepresented students. The Black College Expo impacts families being that over 90% are the low to moderate families, most of whom do not know how to navigate the college admission process. Black College Expo demystifies the college and career planning process. There are seminars throughout the day on “How to find Money for College”, “Booming Careers”, “How to Maximize Financial Aid”, “How to Write your Dream Essay to get into your Dream College”, “How to Prepare for College”, SAT and ACT Prep. There is a STEAM Pavilion, to get students excited about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Aerospace/Agriculture and Math, and Career Center to help connect students to internship and career opportunities.