Poway High School students attended a Black College Expo in National City on Jan. 30 along with students from other schools within San Diego. It helped African American students or students interested in The Black culture who want to learn more about it.

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) offer students an opportunity to learn about African American culture and be surrounded by students with similar interests. 

At the Expo, students were guided into a building with an outside walk-around area covered in different college pop-up tents filled with information about schools and what they have to offer. Colleges ranged from community colleges to 4-year colleges. Not all schools were HBCUs, for example, San Diego State University and UC Riverside attended. 

Te’Jah Fuller, a representative for Alcorn State University, which was the nation’s first public historically black land-grant institution, gave some information about HBCUs and answered questions, such as who can attend

 “Although we are historically black colleges, we love diversity. We have diverse campuses all over from international to other non-African Americans at our school,” Fuller said.

 Everyone is welcome into an HBCU, no matter their race or background, as long as they are respectful and there for the right reasons. Fuller also talked about how HBCUs are different from other colleges.

“The culture that we all possess, the family hood, and what we have to offer for African American students that might not get the opportunity to have at other schools,” Fuller said. 

This environment may be attractive to African American students who may have grown up around different races than their own, who want to understand the culture and be around people who can help them grow as individuals.

Most of the kids attending the trip were majority African American.

Senior Izzy Wilson valued the experience. 

“The field trip helped me understand the unique academic and social support that HBCUs offer. Seeing the culture firsthand and learning about the resources available made it clear that HBCUs prioritize both education and personal growth,” Wilson said.  Senior Faith Gadzekpo attended the expo and is considering going to an HBCU. 

“I would love to step out of my environment to experience something new. It would allow me to surround myself with so many other talented and gifted black students and faculty,” Gadzekpo said. 

It can be difficult and overwhelming growing up and not being surrounded by your culture. Students willing to step out of their comfort zone and explore a new environment may be interested in learning more about HBCUs.