Fair on Wednesday to focus on historically Black colleges

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.


A free college fair hosting historically black colleges and universities will be held at School District headquarters, 440 N. Broad St., on Wednesday, Nov. 19. It’s open to all college-bound students and their families.

The Malcolm Bernard Historically Black College and Universities College Fair will bring more than 40 college admissions professionals who are interested in recruiting students from high schools and community colleges. The fair will run from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

“[This] College Fair is very important because students and parents can learn how HBCUs have educational programs, financial packages, and scholarships that fit the need of students from diverse ethnic, economic, and academic backgrounds,” said Barbara Bernard, executive director of the Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair Inc.

Students will have the opportunity to be admitted onsite, possibly with waived application fees, according to a press release. High school seniors interested in onsite admissions are required to have a complete application package, an official transcript, and ACT/SAT scores that meet the minimum requirement for the schools where they plan to apply.

Onsite admissions is also open to community college students, who need an official college transcript for each school they are interested in. High school juniors interested in having a conversation with HBCU admissions representatives are encouraged to bring copies of their transcripts and GPAs.

The Malcolm Bernard fair is the only one of its kind in the Philadelphia area. HBCU college access specialist Vicki Edwards Redmond said it is “a great opportunity” for students and families to learn more about HCBUs and “add the historical benefits to their shopping carts.”

The Philadelphia fair is one of seven planned for Nov. 15-20. Other sites are in New York City and New Jersey. Since its beginning in 1999, the nonprofit’s recruiting week has attracted more than 12,000 students annually from all over the Northeast.

Interested students must register online. Those who pre-register will be automatically entered into a drawing for a $500 book scholarship or iPad Air, according to a release for the event. Organizers strongly recommend that students dress professionally for the fair and use the website to prepare before attending.

Shannon Nolan is an intern at the Notebook.