HBCU Showcase returns for a second year

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Recognized; Administrators Encouraged to Raise Standards for Black Students

Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Thursday, February 8, 2007

The Showcase of HBCU returns for a second year featuring Kentucky State University on Friday, March 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center. The event is aimed at students in grades 8 through 12, parents of college-bound students, and current college students considering a transfer. Building on the success of last year’s college fair, which drew over 2,000 participants, Andrea Houston, Executive Director of The Showcase, hopes to expose even more students who are socially or economically disadvantaged to more opportunities.
 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are postsecondary academic institutions founded before 1964 whose educational mission has historically been the education of Black Americans. Wilberforce University, among one of the first HBCU in existence, was established before the Civil War began and will be represented at this year’s Showcase. 
 
The Showcase is an educational program designed to raise awareness of opportunities at HBCU.  The Showcase emphasizes education first by providing each student with an educational assignment. Each assignment requires the students to attend college preparation workshops and career-planning sessions with professionals in various fields and careers. Additionally, students are required to attend a minimum number of college and university booths.  We’ve also invited a diverse group of professionals to offer career counseling.  Students will attend preparatory workshops on college life, admissions, financial aid, and more.  Dr. Lucian Yates, Dean of Education at Kentucky State University, will address parents and school administrators at 12:00 noon, on the importance of having high expectations of and high standards for black students.
 
Additionally, for principals, counselors, career coordinators and youth service center providers, a special invitation is extended to you to enjoy a free dinner, jazz, and a time of networking with college representatives at the Urban Jazz Exchange.  The event is on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at Glassworks (815 W. Market St., above The Jazz Factor).   Please reserve your seats for your staff, as limited tickets are available.
 
The Showcase’s mission is to assist in narrowing the educational and economic achievement gaps, through the empowerment of youth in America. All students are welcomed. To obtain more information about the showcase events or reserve tickets to the Urban Jazz Exchange please contact us via e-mail@showcasehbcu.com or at 502-552-7647.    
 
Schedule of Events:
Thursday, March 8, 2007: Urban Jazz Exchange, Glassworks
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday, March 9, 2007: The Showcase of HBCU, KY Fair & Expo Center
10:00 am–2:30pm
Step Show 2:45 –5:00 pm (featuring local high schools and KSU Greek Letter Organizations)
Sponsored by Bates Community Development Corporation, Kentucky State University, Sallie Mae, Jefferson County Public Schools, City of Louisville, Canaan Christian Church, B96.5 and AJHouston Enterprises, Inc.