Staten Island HBCU Experience

Good afternoon, Staten Island HBCU Experience Friends,

Thank you for your attendance and support at the 16th Annual Staten Island HBCU Experience. The event was a remarkable day of community, connection, and valuable resources. I am pleased to share the following highlights:

*We reached a record 300+ registrations this year.

*Despite the cold weather, hundreds of students, parents, caretakers, and school administrators attended the event at Curtis High School.

**Eighty-seven (87) schools from the Tri-State area registered, representing a 60% increase from last year.

*Dozens of students received on-site admissions to at least one HBCU.

*The family that traveled the farthest drove from Virginia. Their student had already been accepted to Fisk University and ultimately chose to attend after considering other HBCUs at this event.

*We recognized Robert Allen Dock for 25 years of service to the New York City community as a representative of Virginia State University. Each year since this event began, Mr. Dock postponed his trip to South Africa to recruit for the SI HBCU Experience. We are deeply grateful for his commitment to our organization and to the hundreds of students who have made VSU their HBCU home.

*We bid farewell to our partner and Curtis High School leader, Principal Jaenicke, who retired on January 27, 2026. His final speech, attached here, resonated with everyone present. Mr. Jaenicke was essential to the success of the Staten Island HBCU Experience over the past 10 years. We hope he will continue to join us in the years ahead.

Every year, this event humbles me. We had 17 HBCUs attend, out of 22 that registered. The following trekked to Staten Island to make a difference in the lives of so many students and families:

Bowie State University; Cheyney University; Fisk University; Grambling State University; Hampton University; Howard University; Jackson State University; Lincoln, PA; Livingstone College; Medgar Evers College - CUNY; Morgan State University; Morehouse; North Carolina A&T State University; Shaw University; University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Virginia State University; Xavier University of Louisiana

I am so extremely proud of each of them! The love and power of an HBCU will never fail!

There are so many people I want to thank, including our sponsors:

*Curtis High School
*Friends Who Think Pink
*New York Center For Interpersonal Development (NYCID)
*The 67th Precinct Clergy Council
*Staten Island Urban Center.

Thank you to Sports Eleven05 LLC, producer of the HBCUNY Classic Football Game at MetLife Stadium, for the jacket donations to be raffled off this week.

Thank you to 94.7 The Block for promoting the event through PSAs.

Thank you for joining us for the event!

Thank you to all the CBOs who tabled, and to the CBOs and individuals who facilitated workshops for students and parents! We are honored to have your support and partner with you for this magnificent occasion that benefits youth and families near and far. We look forward to many more years of partnership and shifting the trajectory of our students.

We recognize our alumni who began their HBCU journey in the same cafeteria where we met on that cold winter day. They have returned to support this event, give back to the community, and carry the torch that will inspire the next generation:

*Kiara Brown, Howard University - Legal Communications, Curtis HS Alum Co-MC - Staten Island HBCU Experience

*Isiah Williams, Virginia State University - Political Science, Curtis HS Alum Co-MC - Staten Island HBCU Experience

*Soy Littman, Lincoln University, PA - Mass Communications, Tottenville HS Alum

*Quincy Baker, Howard University - Pre-Law, Eagle Academy, Staten Island Alum

Thank you to the students, parents, caregivers, school administrators, volunteers, donors, and friends who braved the 10-degree weather to attend our event at Curtis.

Whether you arrived by car, ferry, bus, or on foot, you have taken an important first step toward your future. We appreciate your choice to begin your educational journey with us. We remain committed to supporting you and connecting you with the resources you need as you pursue an HBCU or any other college or career path.

We are waiting for pictures, so hold tight!

Thank you, Staten Island Live, for the coverage of the 16th annual Staten Island HBCU Experience.

Staten Island HBCU Experience 2026 works on opening doors for students "Oftentimes I come back to Staten Island to give people insight, like how I was able to get a $55,000 scholarship when I was an undergrad."

Every year, this event humbles me. There are so many people I want to thank. Please give me a little time to gather my thoughts. For now, I hope you enjoy the article from the Staten Island Advance.

If you attended and registered, please tag us on Facebook , Instagram , or TikTok .

To show our appreciation, we will raffle off New York Classic black jackets. To enter for a chance to win, please complete the survey below and follow the instructions. More details will be shared soon. In the meantime, please read the Staten Island Advance article and complete the appropriate survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTrujbM2tCDzhu04VNJRXnD7lnF9_4LGH4atamNFDnE6KWWg/viewform?usp=dialog

Staten Island HBCU Experience 2026 works on opening doors for students "Oftentimes I come back to Staten Island to give people insight, like how I was able to get a $55,000 scholarship when I was an undergrad."

Let's Ball and Parlay!

25 HBCUs CONFIRMED!

Saturday, January 24, 2026
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
105 Hamilton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10301
@ Curtis High School

Students, Parents, Guardians, & Schools can register by scanning the QR code or by copying and pasting the link below:

https://bit.ly/SIHBCUFair2026

Tuskegee Ball and Parlay First Home Game 2K16 The game hasn't even started yet!

94.7 the Block will mention the Staten Island HBCU Experience college fair this hour and all week!

There is still time to register!!!!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 10 AM to 3 PM. We are proud to announce our guest speaker is Dr. Charles Gibbs, President of Metropolitan College of New York and a graduate of Howard University!

Meet Tuskegee University graduate, Collette V. Smith, the NFL's 1st African American Female Coach.

We start promptly at 10 AM with the musical guest New York Alliance Music Art & Sports Drumline!

The following workshops are scheduled:

Building Financial Wealth for College

Financial Aid

NCAA Eligibility

STEM Academics and Careers

Thurgood Marshall College Fund SOAR Program, a multi-year college and career readiness initiative that empowers high school seniors beginning with a summer residential experience at HBCU and HBCC institutions.

UNCF Scholarship Workshop

Unpacking the Admissions Process

Why Choose an HBCU?

25 HBCUs CONFIRMED!

Saturday, January 24, 2026
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
105 Hamilton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10301
@ Curtis High School

Students, Parents, Guardians, & Schools can register by scanning the QR code or by copying and pasting the link below:

https://bit.ly/SIHBCUFair2026

94.7 THE BLOCK

13 Days until the hottest HBCU Fair in the tri-state area!

22 HBCUs CONFIRMED!

Student, Parent/Caregivers, School Registration for The Staten Island HBCU Experience 2026!

Saturday, January 24, 2026
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
105 Hamilton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10301
@ Curtis High School

Students, Parents, Guardians, & Schools can register by scanning the QR code or by copying and pasting the link below:

https://bit.ly/SIHBCUFair2026

Confirmed HBCUs:

Bethune-Cookman University
Bowie State University
Cheyney University
Fisk University
Grambling State University
Hampton University
Howard University
Jackson State University
Kentucky State University
Livingstone College
Medgar Evers College - CUNY
Morehouse College
Morgan State University
Morris Brown
North Carolina A&T State University
Shaw University
Tuskegee University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
West Virginia State University
Xavier University

More to come!

https://www.tiktok.com//video/7592849341040151863?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7564858147061368333

TikTok · SIHBCUFAIR

A sample of what you will see at the 2026 Staten Island HBCU Experience! Thank you to Staten Island Urban Center for capturing the essence of the Staten Island HBCU Experience!

Click on the link below to check out the entire photo album:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=SIHBCUExperience&set=a.1258995289583653

22 HBCUs CONFIRMED!

Student, Parent/Caregivers, School Registration for The Staten Island HBCU Experience 2026!

Saturday, January 24, 2026
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
105 Hamilton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10301
@ Curtis High School

Students, Parents, Guardians, & Schools can register by scanning the QR code or by copying and pasting the link below:

https://bit.ly/SIHBCUFair2026

22 HBCUs CONFIRMED!

Student, Parent/Caregivers, School Registration for
The Staten Island HBCU Experience 2026!

Saturday, January 24, 2026
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
105 Hamilton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10301
@ Curtis High School

Students, Parents, Guardians, & Schools can register by scanning the QR code or by copying and pasting the link below:
https://bit.ly/SIHBCUFair2026

Confirmed HBCUs:

Bethune-Cookman University
Bowie State University
Cheyney University
Fisk University
Grambling State University
Hampton University
Howard University
Jackson State University
Kentucky State University
Livingstone College
Medgar Evers College - CUNY
Morehouse College
Morgan State University
Morris Brown
North Carolina A&T State University
Shaw University
Tuskegee University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
West Virginia State University
Xavier University

We are waiting for the following replies:

Chicago State (Invited, waiting for reply)
Claflin (Invited, waiting for reply)
Delaware State University (Invited, waiting for reply)
FAMU NAA Northeast Region (invited, waiting for reply)
Spelman (Invited, waiting for reply)

REGISTER EARLY! There are a lot of great surprises happening this year! We are truly excited!

New York Center for Interpersonal Development NYCID Staten Island Urban Center 67th Precinct Clergy Council The GodSquad Curtis High School PTA Warriors Teresa Parnell

Kwanzaa Potluck & Gift Drive

Henry Street Settlement
6-8PM, Monday, December 29th

Let us gather in the spirit of Imani this Kwanzaa season for a potluck with HBCU alums, friends, and family. Bring a dish, a snack, and a drink to share with others. We welcome small Kwanzaa gifts for the youth of the Henry Street Settlement.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4auDt9B