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Hello good people. I'm Brooke Rayford, a reporter for CBS13/FOX 23 News in Portland, Maine.
It is my hope to take a dynamic group of eight young girls of color from Portland High School in Maine to Howard University in Washington, D.C.
While many students at the high school have traveled the country, and even the world, no group has had the opportunity to visit an all Black university - formally known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Maine, the furthest east you can venture in the United States and the oldest state in the country, is a unique place to live. The state is known for it's growing immigrant community, yet still has under two percent Black people or African-Americans. Yes, less than two percent.
This trip is pivotal to these young girls lives as they continue to explore colleges and their options for post-graduation. The goal is not to influence their college decision, but to share different experiences, cultures, and success stories outside of our local colleges.
Almost all of the young ladies did not know what an HBCU was before meeting me. Many have never traveled to the nation’s capital- which is home to Howard University, currently ranked #2 out of the 101 HBCUs in the United States by U.S. News. This is a chance to change lives, encourage young women, and provide insight on all of their possibilities in this world.
If you would like to be a blessing to their future, please donate.
Click the link below to learn more about HBCUs!
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq9511.html
Preliminary Plans Include: A visit to the African-American Museum, NBC Studios, The National Mall, Cherry Blossom Festival, eventful outings with former HBCU graduates, and of course a tour of Howard University.
Background on Rayford's involvement at Portland High School:
For the past year or so I have been apart of the Portland Mentoring Alliance at Portland High School. Since my start, I have mentored first and second generation immigrant girls that struggled to speak English but dedicated time in and out of the classroom to adjust to their new life in America. After a few months, I wanted to meet more girls, hear their experiences as a person of color in Maine, and hopefully be an example of a successful African-American woman who has navigated some of the same challenges. I now meet with girls on a weekly basis with hopes to aid in their decisions following high school.
To learn more about the Portland Mentoring Alliance visit their website: https://www.portlandmentoringalliance.org
Contact Brooke Rayford for any further questions: [email redacted]
It is my hope to take a dynamic group of eight young girls of color from Portland High School in Maine to Howard University in Washington, D.C.
While many students at the high school have traveled the country, and even the world, no group has had the opportunity to visit an all Black university - formally known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Maine, the furthest east you can venture in the United States and the oldest state in the country, is a unique place to live. The state is known for it's growing immigrant community, yet still has under two percent Black people or African-Americans. Yes, less than two percent.
This trip is pivotal to these young girls lives as they continue to explore colleges and their options for post-graduation. The goal is not to influence their college decision, but to share different experiences, cultures, and success stories outside of our local colleges.
Almost all of the young ladies did not know what an HBCU was before meeting me. Many have never traveled to the nation’s capital- which is home to Howard University, currently ranked #2 out of the 101 HBCUs in the United States by U.S. News. This is a chance to change lives, encourage young women, and provide insight on all of their possibilities in this world.
If you would like to be a blessing to their future, please donate.
Click the link below to learn more about HBCUs!
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq9511.html
Preliminary Plans Include: A visit to the African-American Museum, NBC Studios, The National Mall, Cherry Blossom Festival, eventful outings with former HBCU graduates, and of course a tour of Howard University.
Background on Rayford's involvement at Portland High School:
For the past year or so I have been apart of the Portland Mentoring Alliance at Portland High School. Since my start, I have mentored first and second generation immigrant girls that struggled to speak English but dedicated time in and out of the classroom to adjust to their new life in America. After a few months, I wanted to meet more girls, hear their experiences as a person of color in Maine, and hopefully be an example of a successful African-American woman who has navigated some of the same challenges. I now meet with girls on a weekly basis with hopes to aid in their decisions following high school.
To learn more about the Portland Mentoring Alliance visit their website: https://www.portlandmentoringalliance.org
Contact Brooke Rayford for any further questions: [email redacted]