Becoming the Change
LEGACY • COMMUNITY • IMPACT
Education is an investment, and scholars are our legacy. We invest in scholars so they can pursue their education and training goals. Through developing an individual’s skills, they ultimately take their first steps on the path to success. Become a part of our legacy and make your community proud.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
TUITION AND AID
In the 2015-2016 academic year, 71 percent of African American students took out federal student loans, compared with 56 percent of white students.
More than 30 percent of African Americans with a high school grade point average (G.P.A.) higher than 3.5 go to community colleges because of affordability compared to 22 percent of whites with the same G.P.A.
Among full-time, full-year undergraduate students, 88 percent of Black students qualify for grants.
“I realize that not every youth gets an equal chance at becoming successful. Some never get a chance at all. And not every young person believes that tomorrow can be better than today or that they deserve a chance to be successful.
It is not right that with all our resources every young person is not afforded the opportunity to be the best they can be if they want to. Our communities are hurting. Our systems need fixing.
We can’t wait on the government, institutions, social programs and policies to meet the needs of our communities. It is in our hands.”
Ludacris
HBCUs
In fall 2016, there were 102 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including twelve 2-year institutions and ninety 4-year institutions. About 292,100 students, including 223,500 Black students, were enrolled at HBCUs.
HBCUs graduate black students at higher rates (38 percent versus 32 percent for comparable predominately white intuitions) despite their students’ having a more significant financial need.
An HBCU graduate working full time throughout his or her working life can expect to earn $927,000 in additional income due to a college credential.
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
B.B. King
THE WORKFORCE
Workers with a least a bachelor’s degree have median annual earnings of $45,500, well over the medians for people with only some college ($30,000) or high-school diploma $28,000).
2.1 million African Americans 25 and older have earned an advanced degree. Fifteen years ago, only 677,000 African Americans had this level of education.
In 2016, about 78.8 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds with a bachelor’s or higher degree in the labor force had year-round, full-time jobs, compared with 72.3 percent of those with an associate’s degree, 69.5 percent of those with some college education, 68.9 percent of those who completed high school, and 60.1 percent of those without a high school diploma or its equivalent.
“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.”
Confucius
Let’s Grow Together
LEARN MORE ABOUT B.E.E.F.
Our communities grow stronger when everyone has access to education. That’s why the Black Excellence Education Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of African American students through access to college and trade schools. Let’s empower students together!