Our Mission
Creating Impact
We are committed to protecting the representation and inclusion of black students in higher education. For hundreds of years, black people have struggled to obtain equal educational opportunities because of racism. Laws like Affirmative action were meant to aide black students and other students of color to make higher education for them possible. However, the recent supreme court ruling eliminated these laws; deeming race shouldn’t be considered in the admissions process. This has caused many black students to become unsure about how to apply for college. Our organization firmly believes that race is a part of the African American experience based on their constant fight to obtain equality in all aspects of life. In response to the uncertainty of this time, we will provide a support system for African American students and consult with them about how best to approach applying to college through ways where they can still represent their race and still abide by the law without the reproach of the Supreme Court and/or any court across the country. Also, through this platform we will attempt to support and encourage black students emotionally, emphasizing that there is hope in this time of ambiguity. Their dream of pursuing higher education is still very much within reach; together, we just have to find ways to skillfully navigate around laws that are meant to marginalize and/or oppress us.
The BlackUp Plan
We encourage African American high school students to become leaders in their communities and make a change in the world . Through this network you will be connected to other like minded individuals and create solutions to the problems concerning the education of African Americans.
We are a resource that helps African American students find funding sources so that they can achieve higher education. When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Affirmative Action it made it much more difficult for African American students to pay for college. Through collaborative efforts and extensive research, the AA DHE helps to find free sources of funding to help pay for their education.
We encourage African American students to be the best they can be academically. With our academic resources and connections, students can find the help they need in pursing academic excellence in high school, college and beyond.
We strive to have African American students stand out in a way that represents who they are and frame their uniqueness in such a way as to be more appealing to colleges and universities . Using the Black Up Plan, we will help African American students to represent their qualifications, background and experience to college admissions committees.