New Bedford HBCU College Fair Set for April 11

The third annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair is happening Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. at New Bedford High School. Students from all area schools and families are invited, according to Blair Taylor, Director of Education and Community at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, and founder of the event.

What to Expect at the New Bedford HBCU College Fair

"Anyone can stop by on Saturday. Actually, we would like to see families and younger kids there as well," Taylor said. "You can never start planning too early, and it's important for families to get that information."

Also on the agenda: free pizza from Domino's and entertainment by the Southeastern Step Team (Ready S.E.T. Step) from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School .

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Why Families Should Attend

"A lot of people living in New England may not know a lot about HBCUs," Taylor said. "You get a top-notch education that really highlights the contributions of people of color, but it's really the cultural experiences that take it to the next level. It's not just the classroom, but also your collegiate life while you are there."

Meet the Guest Speakers

Speakers at the College Fair will include local graduates of HBCUs, talking about their experiences and what an HBCU education has given them. They include renowned photographer Ronald Barboza, a graduate of Morgan State University; Rev. Sandra Gatlin Whitley, a graduate of Alabama State University and now Pastor of the historic Bethel AME Church; and Ja'Tavius Anderson, a graduate of Morehouse College and now a science teacher at Nativity Prep in New Bedford.

Why Consider an HBCU Education?

So with so many higher education opportunities here in the Northeast, why should students consider attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities?

"I don't know that it's my job to tell students what school they should attend, but I believe 49 percent of the population in New Bedford Public Schools are students of color," Taylor said. "If you are exploring college, sometimes it helps when you are attending a place where people look like you. My job is to show you what's out there, and present some options."

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