Champaign County's First HBCU Fair was planned by 17-year old Amari Johnson, a Senior at Urbana High School and her mother Tori Exum-Johnson, an Urbana School District Board Member. Amari brought in a friend and her girl scout sisters Ki'lah Winston, Simone Gilbert, Savannah Blanden, and Kierra Moten, to keep her encouraged, bounce ideas, and they were there the day of the event to help. Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Ivory-Tatum and Principal Taren Nance were gracious enough to allow the use of the High School gym and tables to house the event which was held on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 4-6:30pm.
The HBCU Fair was an idea of Amari's after attending an HBCU trip with the African American Club during her freshman year of High School at Urbana. Amari found that that there were students who did not have the resources to travel to visit various HBCU's and who did not know about the various schools that are available or the majors offered. By bringing some of the HBCU's to them, they do not have to leave the city to learn about the greatness of these schools.
Amari decided to take the fair a step further than just giving students and families in the community the chance to speak to representatives from over a dozen Historically Black Colleges and Universities, she wanted them to get a glimpse of college life and learn how to meet their goal of going to college. During the fair, students will learned about campus life, academic programs, financial aid, admissions requirements, opportunities for application fee waivers, potential scholarships, and more. In addition to the colleges, the following topics were covered at the fair:
Last, she wanted students to have a small taste of something you see on every HBCU Campus - Greek Life! Sororities and Fraternities strolled at the event and a local dance group performed.
Every school that registered and every organization that signed up attended this great event. There were just over 400 in attendance at the event.
The HBCU Fair was an idea of Amari's after attending an HBCU trip with the African American Club during her freshman year of High School at Urbana. Amari found that that there were students who did not have the resources to travel to visit various HBCU's and who did not know about the various schools that are available or the majors offered. By bringing some of the HBCU's to them, they do not have to leave the city to learn about the greatness of these schools.
Amari decided to take the fair a step further than just giving students and families in the community the chance to speak to representatives from over a dozen Historically Black Colleges and Universities, she wanted them to get a glimpse of college life and learn how to meet their goal of going to college. During the fair, students will learned about campus life, academic programs, financial aid, admissions requirements, opportunities for application fee waivers, potential scholarships, and more. In addition to the colleges, the following topics were covered at the fair:
- Financial Aid & Paying for College
- SAT & College Application Preparation
- College Preperation Programs
- Mental Health
- Physical Health
- Eating on a Budget
- Voter Registration & Education
- Divine 9 Organizations
Last, she wanted students to have a small taste of something you see on every HBCU Campus - Greek Life! Sororities and Fraternities strolled at the event and a local dance group performed.
Every school that registered and every organization that signed up attended this great event. There were just over 400 in attendance at the event.
Schools who attended:
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Organizations in attendance...
The Teens of the Greater Champaign-Urbana Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc
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When We All Vote Voter Education & Registration
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Mental Health Awareness
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College Prep Program
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SAT, Application & Essay Help
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Paying for College & Financial Aid Counselor
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The Champaign-Urbana Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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The Alpha Lambda Chapter (U of I) of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
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The Delta Omega Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
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Gamma Chapter (U of I) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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Theta Lambda Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
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Zeta Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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Alpha Nu Chapter (U of I) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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Meal Prep Made E-Z - Eating on a Budget
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Army ROTC College Funding
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Sponsors helped with raffle items, which included:
RCA 55" SMART TELEVISION
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APPLE AIRPODS PRO
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THREE - $50.00 AMAZON GIFT CARDS
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SIX - $25.00 VISA GIFT CARDS
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