Alumni from several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) gathered recently at Bergen Community College for the 9th annual “HBCU Panel Discussion & Mix and Mingle,” hosted by the Bergen/Passaic Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW); the event offered local students a bridge to higher education.
The annual program was founded and organized by NCBW member and Delaware State University (DSU) alumna Dawn Tennent. Tennent launched the initiative in 2016 to honor the legacy of her late cousin, Michael J. Feeney, a journalist and fellow DSU graduate.
Don Sherrill photos
The event featured a college fair and an interactive panel where local high school and community college students engaged with HBCU alumni. Notable speakers included R&B singer and Howard University alumnus Eric Roberson, former MSNBC President and Hampton University alumna Rashida Jones, and New Jersey State Senator and Virginia State alumnus Benjie E. Wimberly.
Beyond the panel, families accessed resources regarding scholarships, financial aid, and upcoming college tours. A wide array of institutions were represented at the fair, including Alabama State, Tuskegee, Virginia State, Florida A&M, Morehouse, North Carolina Central, Grambling State, Morris Brown, and DSU.