A Crossroads to Higher Education: Rainier Beach High School Hosts 8th Annual Black College Expo

Last month, for the second year in a row, Converge Media visited Rainier Beach High School for the 8th Annual Black College Expo. The expo was more than a college-readiness event; it was a crossroads where students could connect with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and learn about opportunities to advance their higher education. The event successfully attracted over a thousand students and their families from Seattle Public Schools, driving strong community-wide interest in young people’s futures.

The event aims to bridge the gap between students and opportunities, expanding young people’s perspective on what their college journey could be beyond local state schools. 

For student Ajani Stewart, the Expo demonstrated a goldmine of future possibilities. 

“What made me come to the Black College Expo today was all the opportunities to come see these colleges for free, learn about them, and see what they provide for students,” he said excitedly. 

He described the event as “phenomenal,” highlighting the welcoming atmosphere and “southern hospitality” radiated by some of the feeling welcomed by some of the schools in attendance. 

The expo exposed students to opinions beyond local institutions like the University of Washington, broadening students horizons for where they can achieve their goals. 

Laya Sigler, who aims to be the first in her family to attend college, expressed her interest in attending an HBCU, hoping to find a cultural connection with the school's deep Black history and foster a sense of belonging. 

“A HBCU is a place I can call home even if I’m so far away from home,” she said. 

The event helped foster a sense of community and excitement where students can find institutions that align with their values and feel comfortable being themselves. 

Additionally, the expo did not only spread awareness, but also provided immediate benefits to help students get a jumpstart on their college application process. Many schools offered scholarships, application fee waivers, and sometimes on-the-spot admissions based on transcripts. 

The event also focuses on financial aid and literacy resources. Community organizations such as the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) promoted their “Dethrone the Loan” initiative, teaching alternative strategies to finance college without depending on student loans. 

William “Bill” Brown, senior community engagement manager at UNCF, emphasized the importance of financial literacy among youth, warning against collecting large amounts of debt early on by helping students find grants and scholarships to potentially graduate debt-free. 

For educators, the Expo was about empowering students on their path toward higher education. 

Craig Jackson, teacher and coach at Rainier Beach High School, said the event reminded students that they deserve the best opportunities. 

“The first thing I saw was people when they walked in, they were greeted as if they were a commodity,” he said. “The schools are not the commodity. They understand that they are the prize.” 

Jackson further explained the importance of connecting students to the legacy and cultural significance of HBCUs, which symbolize resilience in the face of adversity and systemic barriers. 

Cathie Wilmore, co-founder of Father and Son’s Next Generation Up, Career Readiness program, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that any opportunity that advances young people is a “win-win” for everybody. 

The 8th Annual Black College Expo serves to affirm the community’s commitment to empowering youth on their journey to higher education. Wilmore emphasizes that opportunities exist for all students and families, regardless of challenges, and that they should not be afraid to seek and take advantage of them. 

“They deserve the best,” said Wilmore. “Let’s go and get it together.” 

Catch Back2Besa every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on FOX 13 Seattle and Sundays at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on FOX 13+. Viewers can also stream episodes anytime on the FOX Local app.

Did you enjoy this blog post? Then consider donating to Converge and supporting our mission here.