Strategies
Our programs are specialized to develop youth leadership and college and career readiness.
ACT/SAT Test Prep Strategies
As a former Kaplan ACT/SAT/GMAT Test Prep Instructor and Urban League ACT Specialist Coach, we have coached hundreds of teens through improving their scores using our strategies. Teens should take this exam as early and often as needed to achieve the scores that will attract scholarships and tuition waivers.
College and Career Explorations
Determining career fields of interest is a critical step before one can select a college or major. Limited exposure to different careers or professionals can hinder this critical decision making process. Our B&CB students interact constantly with professionals, executives, and civic leaders who invite them to shadow, volunteer, or fill internships to gain firsthand experiences.
We also work closely with "Pipeline Programs" and low or no cost collegiate summer programs targeting our students for scholarships designed to increase diversity in university programs and career fields that have been traditionally underrepresented.
College Fairs and Tours
Our Annual Spring Break College Tours have visited schools such as Tougaloo, Jackson State, Wiley College (Known for the Great Debaters Film), Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M University, Xavier, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Arkansas Fayetteville, the Atlanta University Center, Fisk University and the University of Miami. Our trips also include fun - a Houston Rockets game, spending a day in New Orleans (yum!!), shopping excursions, and fun at a local arcade/bowling/ go-kart arena. During past tours, we ended with a private networking reception with the highest ranking African American leaders at Sam's Club National Headquarters. Other colleges visited include University of Missouri- Kansas City, Kansas State University, Washburn University, and University of Kansas.
College Tour itineraries included Meharry School of Medicine, Fisk University, Tennessee State University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Georgia Tech, University of Missouri - St. Louis, Kansas State University, Washburn University, Howard University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, Georgetown University, Lincoln University (PA), and others.
Customized College Planning Schedule
Know what your student should accomplish during the "Countdown to College." We create a personalized action plan based on activities completed or needed in the areas of GPA Management, College Interactions, Networking with Professionals of Interest, College Fairs/Tour Participation, Community Service, Internships, and Leadership Experience.
Strategic Scholarship Searches
Have you received the long email about all of the unclaimed scholarships set aside for students of color ---that teens don't apply for? There are a host of local, regional, and national scholarships that you may not be aware of. We partner with scholarship providers also seeking to get the word out. Join our "Scholarship Search Sunday" events and see for yourself.
Financial Aid Sourcing and FAFSA Help
This summer our College Readiness Boot Campers had seminars on financial aid resources to tap into early. Our partners at the MO Dept. of Higher Education also had a blast and offered to join us repeatedly to get the word out through our events and "FAFSA Frenzy Fridays" where they can bring staff to help you enter your tax info to secure federal financial aid.
We partner with local and national banks/financial literacy initiatives. Students in our programs are required to establish college savings accounts to fully participate in growing their educational funds. (Even our 5 year old scholars jumpstart their college savings with as little as $5). Periodic incentives allow students to earn additional BCB College Bound Bucks to deposit into their college savings accounts.
***Did you know that students cannot secure school-based financial aid until your FAFSA has been processed? Colleges disperse school aid on a 1st come, 1st served basis beginning Jan. 1. Late filers BEWARE!