Finding Purpose Again: Launching Black At College to Empower Students and Families

Empowering Black Students in the College Search: Tools and Resources to Navigate Admissions, Financial Aid, and Campus Culture

BLACK AT COLLEGE

This season has been one of the hardest I’ve ever faced. A trusted sponsor, who had supported us in the past, made a firm commitment to fund our work but ultimately backed out, refused to pay for services rendered, and manipulated our payment system to secure a refund for services already received. This froze my bank account for an extended period. To make matters worse, they sent a lawyer to threaten me and had their leader shame and blame me for trusting them.

We relied on their commitment, turned clients away, and retained office space in preparation for this cycle. When they pulled out, I was left without resources to continue supporting the students who needed it most.

What hurt even more was being told I was foolish for trusting a church to keep its word. I was mocked by individuals who claimed to be spiritual leaders, told I should’ve been more cautious. In addition to the lost income of $10k-$15k from previous cycles, I was left with no income, no clients, and no pro bono work for this cycle.

I spent days in bed, questioning whether anything I had done mattered. It was only with my family’s unwavering support—my mother and father, my bonus mom, my close family, and friends who feel like family—that I was able to find the strength to get back up. I’m still struggling, but the hardest part for me was the feeling of no purpose. I wasn’t just wondering, “When will it matter again that I’m awake?”—I was asking, “When will I feel alive again, and be able to contribute?” I watched the world brace for the return of a familiar darkness in November, and felt powerless to do anything about it.

There were small, meaningful moments with clients and colleagues throughout the year that mattered, and I did get to spend more time with family and friends, having great moments and adventures. But that sustained feeling of purpose, of truly mattering, didn’t surface until today. After waking up with the same feeling of wondering if I could contribute, I finally felt it when I finished the Black At College project and made the final edits. And with tears in my eyes and a full heart, I had finally produced something I feel matters this season.

This project embodies my core belief, inspired by Nikki Giovanni's words:
"If now isn't a good time for the truth, I don't see when we'll get to it."

I hope this resource helps Black students, their families, and their supporters find truth in the admissions process, and gives them the clarity and empowerment they need to make informed decisions about their educational journeys.

---

Black At College

Resources Available on Black At College

These tools are designed to empower Black students and their families to make informed choices, spot red flags, and understand what to expect in the admissions and financial aid process. Here’s what’s available:

1. Run Your Own College Report with ChatGPT—Onyx Guide to College Search©
   Analyze colleges based on cost, culture, and Black student support with customizable templates.

2. VIDEO: Choosing the Perfect Fit College with Counselor Alicia Oglesby
   Get real advice from a college counselor about finding the right fit beyond prestige.

3. We Reranked the Top 30 Colleges Based on Black Enrollment
   See how colleges rank when it comes to supporting Black students, based on actual enrollment trends.

4. The Sharpest Drops in Black Enrollment
   Learn which schools are losing Black students and what that means for your college decision.

5. Run Your Own Financial Aid Report with ChatGPT—Onyx Guide to College Search©
   Get a personalized breakdown of your financial aid offer to understand what’s free money vs. debt.

6. VIDEO: How to File a Financial Aid Appeal
   Learn how to appeal for more financial aid with expert advice.

7. Important Warning About Scholarships
   Understand scholarship displacement and how outside scholarships can affect your financial aid.

Enjoy