February 11th 2024.
Eleise Richards, a proud alumna of Howard University, recently accomplished a remarkable feat: visiting all 90 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. It was a journey that she embarked on with a purpose, driven by her passion for promoting these important institutions and dispelling misinformation about them.
Three years into her journey, Eleise, a native of New Jersey, realized that she had a limited understanding of most HBCUs, despite advocating for them through her Experience the Legacy HBCU College Fair. This event aims to bridge the opportunity gap for Black and brown students during college application season and encourage them to consider attending HBCUs. TheGrio reports on how the fair showcases the unique excitement of HBCU homecoming to prospective students.
"I always felt a sense of pride as an HBCU graduate, but it also bothered me that there was so much misinformation out there discouraging people from even considering these schools," Eleise shared in an interview with TheGrio. Her college visit tour, especially in the South, was eye-opening for her. She admitted that her knowledge of the region was mostly based on stories from friends, TV shows, and music. However, her experience visiting Southern HBCUs shattered her expectations.
"I saw Black people everywhere, even in areas where I didn't think Black people were going to be. And I loved that," Eleise said, reflecting on her trip. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, she strongly believes in the power of attending an HBCU for people of color. Her journey to all 90 HBCUs only solidified her passion for making information about these schools more accessible and increasing understanding of the unique socio-economic factors that influence their resources.
"Their ability to do more with less is truly remarkable," Eleise shared. "There is a lack of accurate information out there, and people just don't know what they don't know. So, my biggest impact, I hope, is being a resource and sharing information about HBCUs and the experience that many may not have thought about or known." She also hopes to inspire a greater love and appreciation for these institutions and for Black people in general, despite ongoing attempts to oppress and erase their contributions and history.
For Eleise, the value of HBCUs lies in their ability to uplift and empower Black individuals in a space that resonates with them. "My ultimate goal is to remind people of the greatness of Black people, past, present, and future," she stated. "No matter where I am in the world, if I meet someone who attends an HBCU, I know I will be welcomed and treated like family."
In addition to her efforts to promote HBCUs, Eleise also encourages them to expand their reach by opening satellite campuses in vacant buildings in San Francisco, a city that is actively seeking to support and empower these institutions. Her dedication to promoting HBCUs and empowering Black individuals is truly inspiring, and she hopes to continue making a positive impact through her work.
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