Event to educate Sacramento high school students about Black colleges. How to attend
The Sacramento Chapter of the Southern University Alumni Federation (SUAF) will host their first Historical Black College and University (HBCU) RoundUp, gathering local HBCU alumni to encourage high school students to consider attending an HBCU as an option for post-secondary education.
The two-part event is geared towards high school students, but organizers say it’s open to anyone with interest in attending a HBCU. It is scheduled from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at The Officers Club, or Club Ballroom B, on 3410 Westover St.
“We just really try to encourage a lot of people to look into HBCUs, to go and not be afraid to leave California,” said Essence Graves-Webb, ‘HBCU Alumni Round Up’ Event Planning Team Member and SUAF recording secretary.
During part one of the HBCU RoundUp, alumni representing the different Black colleges throughout the country will help educate and engage with students on around recruitment.
Students and parents will receive scholarship and enrollment information from vendors, recruiters, and local alumni who reside in Sacramento and neighboring cities.
Part one of the HBCU RoundUp is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m and is free and open to all students.
Webb says alumni from Southern University, Grambling State University, Howard, Tuskegee, North Carolina A&T, and Clark-Atlanta University will be attending. She is extending the invitation to alumni and those who have attended a HBCU, but might not have graduated, to attend the events.
“The whole goal is to meet other people so you can really hear, ‘I’m from Sacramento, I went to HBCU, and this is why I came back,’” said Webb.
Part two of the HBCU Roundup is a networking event to meet and connect with other HBCU alumni living in Sacramento or Northern California.
The SUAF is encouraging alumni to represent their HBCU with colors, memorabilia, and apparel from their respective alma mater. There will be drinks, food, music, and friendly activities for bragging rights.
It costs $20 to attend part two of the HBCU RoundUp event, and $25 at the door. Included with a ticket are: drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and unlimited fun. Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite. You must pay and be registered to attend part two of the event.
The SUAF is also offering an opportunity for vendors to market and sell merchandise during the event. Priority is given to vendors with handmade, educational, college, or African American cultural products. A six-foot table and two chairs will be provided. They will not accept duplicate merchandise in vendor selections. The application and $25 fee must be submitted by Nov. 10 to the Cash App tag “$susacchapteralumni”. Only 15 vendors will be accepted.
Proceeds from the event go directly to the SUAF, Sacramento Chapter Scholarship Fund.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Essence Webb by emailing susacalumni@gmail.com.
This story was originally published October 26, 2021 at 5:00 AM.