Washington, D.C.—The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and the Society of African American Professionals (SOAAP) are pleased to announce a partnership to introduce young boys and girls to college and to the world of work. Globalization, technology and huge demographic changes over the last 40 years have forced the nation to find new and more effective ways to produce a 21st Century workforce. The old model of high school to college to work fails to meet the growing demand for workers who are critical thinkers, collaborative and have the knowledge and skills to succeed in the global marketplace.
This 2-year pilot project, “Building Academic Success and Excellence” (BASE), will include Boys & Girls Clubs in the Southeast that serve nearly 33,000 young people at 123 club sites. Initially, it will focus on 24 public historically Black colleges and universities.
These young people also will have an opportunity to compete in a new program, “Straight to Business,” sponsored by TMCF and Gallup. The goal is to identify 10,000 “superstars” who have a healthy balance of innate intelligence coupled with exceptional leadership skills. These superstars will go straight to work and enroll in an online degree program.
“We are excited about this opportunity for the Clubs and for our member-schools,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, President & CEO of TMCF. “American higher education must do more to bring progressive voices together to dramatically increase college enrollment and expose talented youth to the world of work.”
Ron Green, Dean of SOAAP and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club-Tar River Region, added: “This partnership will have an enormous impact on the lives of thousands of promising youths who too often remain detached from college life and the workplace.”
This project will focus on producing students prepared to be successful in college and ultimately in the workplace. We intend to create a model program with students engaged in a customized college preparatory and career exploration program using industry tools, technology and experience to strengthen their options in life.
THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND (TMCF)
Established in 1987, the TMCF is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools are located in 22 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands and enroll nearly 80% of all students attending HBCUs. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the PK-12 and higher education space.
THE SOCIETY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN PROFESSIONALS (SOAAP)
Established in 1990, SOAAP’s mission of work is to enable all young people and particularly those in underserved communities, to reach their full potential as productive and responsible citizens. Members of SOAPP share a common commitment to ensuring that the sacredness of each child is honored and that the highest standards of cooperation, communication and civility are maintained. SOAAP’s paramount obligation is to create a robust educational and social experience for children in a welcoming and safe and secure environment.
TMCF is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: tmcf.org.
Media Contact:
tmcfpress@tmcf.org
SOAAP is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about SOAAP, visit: www.soaap.org
Media Contact:
soaap99@gmail.com
