Generation HBCU to host college and career fair at FAMU

Students speaking with HBCU representative at a previous
HBCU Generation event. 
Photo credit: Kiffani Browning 

With graduation, for many high school seniors, just three months away, the anticipation of college can be frightening. To help take the edge of this intimidating transition, Generation HBCU (Historically Black College and University) will host a college and career fair.

On Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Generation HBCU will host its first “My Future Is Lit!” HBCU College and Career Fair at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center. This event is open to local middle school, high school and potential graduate school students as well as parents.

Generation HBCU is a nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting the next generation of high school students into attending HBCUs as prominent institutions of learning. Simultaneously, while spreading the culture of the HBCU.

Founder of Generation HBCU, Kiffani Browning, said the college and career fair is to expose students to a variety of options to consider for their future endeavors.

“We wanted to come to a rural area such as Tallahassee where teens may not receive exposure to different options for college,” Browning said. “Not only will there be colleges and universities present, but hair, cosmetology and welding schools as well (just to name a few). This way students can get a wide variety of what their career options may be.”

Over 10 different HBCUs will be in attendance offering on-site admissions, scholarship opportunities, and financial aid workshops. 

Students will have a chance to speak with faculty from FAMU, Grambling State University, Tuskegee University, Bethune-Cookman University, Wiley College, Fort Valley State University, Florida Memorial University, Bennet College, Alabama State University, Southern University, Delaware State University, Edward Waters College as well as various local trade schools.

Students who are looking to participate in on-site admissions to any of the participating institutions are strongly encouraged to bring a minimum of three copies of transcripts, test scores, and resume. Representatives will use this information to determine on-site admissions decisions.

Featured at the college and career fair will be FAMU’s National Pan-Hellenic Greek lettered fraternities and sororities to give a taste of the HBCU experience, as well as the campus radio, The Flava Station WANM 90.5 (FM).

The principal of Amos. P. Godby High School Desmond Cole said the college and career fair is important for the students at Godby to be informed about different opportunities.

“This event will beyond beneficial to our young people, here at Godby we inform our students and especially seniors on opportunities to prepare themselves for college,” Cole said. “This is the perfect chance for our students to take the next step into their potential college career.”

Students speaking with a Tuskegee University representative

at previous HBCU Generation event. 
Photo credit: Kiffani Browning 

Previously homeschooled and in coming Leon High School student Jazmine Bennet, who plans to attend the college fair, said she is hopeful for what information she will learn about college opportunities.

“Thinking about college makes me nervous, I feel like there is so many things I still don’t know about what it takes to get into college, hopefully, this HBCU college career fair will give me the knowledge I need,” Bennet expressed.

Browning mentioned that Generation HBCU college workshops are different from others because there is an emphasis on HBCUs and this is what sets her organization apart.

“What sets our workshop aside from any other general college workshop is that our focus is on HBCUs. The importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities is vital in the African- American community, so Generation HBCU’s goal is to provide awareness to students and parents about the importance of education in our communities.”

For more information on Generation HBCU and the “My Future Is Lit!” HBCU College and Career Fair contact Kiffani Browning at generationhbcu@gmail.com. The first 100 students to register for the event will have the chance to win FAMU men’s basketball tickets against North Carolina A&T University.