Historically black schools to be highlighted at Brockton college fair

Historically black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs for short, are coming to Brockton for a college fair at the Boys and Girls Club on Saturday afternoon.

For the first time the group can remember, the Boys and Girls Club of Brockton is hosting an expo showcasing historically black colleges and universities to local youth.

The inaugural “College Showcase: Hillman Edition” is taking place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday in the gymnasium of the Boys and Girls Club on Warren Avenue. The free college fair is open to all high school students, organizers said, not just those who attend the Boys and Girls Club of Brockton. Organizers said that recruiters and college graduates will be in attendance representing Spelman College, Morgan State University, Paine College and other historically black colleges and universities (Hillman College is the fictional HBCU featured in the American sitcom “A Different World”).

“I think it’s important to get our students to go to a university, but also to be exposed to all kinds of universities,” said Andrea Masamba, events and outreach coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Brockton. “To know there are actually universities with a history of serving African-Americans – I think that’s information I would have loved to have had. It’s a great resource for our students.”

Monica Lombardo, director of development and communications at the Brockton organization, said that it will be helpful to host the fair because many local youth feel comfortable at the club.

“I think this is just making something that exists out there accessible in a welcoming space,” Lombardo said. “It can be kind of nerve-wracking to talk to colleges. The club is already a safe space for youth, who already feel confident there.”

The event also aims to expose Brockton area youth to “Greek life,” with several fraternities and sororities that are scheduled to be represented.

Lombardo and Masamba said this portion of the event will go beyond the stereotypical images of sororities and fraternities that Brockton youth might see in movies and the media.

“I think Greek life is often associated with binge drinking and partying,” Lombardo said. “I think most people in fraternities and sororities will impress upon you that that’s not what the vast majority are about.”

Masamba said fraternities and sororities can be lifelong resources for job …

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