HBCU Experience
Exposure Creates Opportunity
The Akron Rites of Passage Institute (AROPI) HBCU Experience is an annual college access, cultural education, and youth development initiative designed to expose Greater Akron students and families to the excellence, history, traditions, culture, and educational opportunities of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Experience brings together students, parents, youth organizations, HBCU alumni, educators, community partners, and supporters around one shared purpose: to expose young people to possibilities, prepare them to pursue those possibilities, and connect them with people who can help them achieve their goals.
The HBCU Experience unfolds through three connected experiences throughout the year.
A Journey, Not Just an Event
The three components of the HBCU Experience are intentionally connected.
Experience
Black College Football Classic
Students are introduced to the culture, tradition, energy, and pride of HBCUs.
Explore
HBCU College & Cultural Tour
Students experience HBCU campuses, history, culture, admissions, and college life firsthand.
Engage
Destination HBCU
Students connect with HBCU representatives, resources, mentors, and opportunities that can help turn interest into action.
Exposure · Awareness · Aspiration · Action
Helping students see it. Experience it. And achieve it.
1. Black College Football Classic
Labor Day Weekend · Pro Football Hall of Fame · Tom Benson Stadium · Canton, Ohio
The HBCU Experience begins locally with the Labor Day Weekend Black College Football Classic at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio. This high-energy introduction to HBCU culture gives students and families an opportunity to experience the traditions, pride, music, history, and excitement surrounding HBCU football.
Depending on the annual schedule, activities may include:
- HBCU football
- Marching bands and Battle of the Bands
- Gospel performances
- Black Greek fraternity and sorority step shows
- Tailgating and family activities
- HBCU alumni engagement
- Cultural and community activities
For many students, this is their first introduction to the HBCU Experience. It is an opportunity to see the culture, hear the music, meet alumni, and begin asking an important question: “Could an HBCU be part of my future?”
Learn more: 2026 Clash at the Classic — Pro Football Hall of Fame
2. HBCU College & Cultural Tour
The Experience then moves from exposure to exploration through the annual HBCU College & Cultural Tour. Students, parents, and chaperones travel together to visit HBCU campuses in various parts of the country and significant African American historical and cultural institutions in the cities where they are housed.
Students have opportunities to:
- Tour college campuses
- Meet admissions representatives
- Learn about scholarships and financial aid
- Explore academic programs and career pathways
- Experience campus life
- Connect with HBCU students and alumni
- Explore African American history and culture
- Participate in HBCU traditions and homecoming activities
- Reflect on how their experiences connect to their own futures
The tour is intentionally more than a college visit. It connects education, history, culture, career exploration, and personal development.
Before the Tour: Students and families participate in preparation activities that may include college-readiness sessions, assessments, parent meetings, academic documentation, essays, fundraising, travel preparation, and HBCU alumni/mentor connections.
During the Tour: Students learn by seeing, experiencing, asking questions, meeting people, and being immersed in HBCU environments.
After the Tour: Students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, complete post-program assessments, communicate with sponsors and supporters, and continue developing their college and career plans.
The goal is to turn a memorable experience into a meaningful next step.
3. Destination HBCU
From Exploration to Engagement
The HBCU Experience culminates with Destination HBCU College Fair, connecting students and families directly with HBCU representatives and resources for admissions, scholarships, financial aid, careers, internships, mentoring, and college readiness.
Students can explore:
- HBCU academic programs, admissions and campus life
- Scholarships and financial-aid opportunities
- Career pathways and internships
- Student support, mentoring and college-readiness resources
- Opportunities to complete the Common Black College Application, providing access to multiple participating HBCUs through one application
- Opportunities for on-the-spot admissions and scholarship consideration, when offered by participating institutions
Destination HBCU also offers informative workshops for both students and parents, covering topics such as college applications, financial aid, scholarships, preparing for college, career choices, student success, campus life, and helping families navigate the transition from high school to college.
The experience may also include marching bands, Black Greek fraternity and sorority step shows, music, and an HBCU-style pep rally—bringing the culture, energy, and excitement of HBCUs directly to students and families.
Preparing Young People for What’s Next
The HBCU Experience is more than a trip—it is preparation for the future. Students take an active role through college and career exploration, academic accountability, assessments, reflections, and HBCU alumni mentoring which connects academic achievement directly to opportunity. Parents and guardians are essential partners, participating in sessions that prepare families for college planning, financial responsibilities, travel, fundraising, and supporting their student’s next steps.
For some young people, walking onto an HBCU campus can turn a possibility into a goal: a campus visit can become an application, an admissions conversation can lead to a scholarship, and meeting an HBCU graduate can become a mentoring relationship. AROPI brings students, families, HBCU alumni, youth organizations, community partners, and sponsors together to provide the exposure, preparation, relationships, and encouragement young people need to envision and pursue their future.
Questions about the HBCU Experience?
For more information, contact:
Terrence Shelton
HBCU Experience Coordinator
Akron Rites of Passage Institute (AROPI)