Students from the Riverview Gardens, Parkway, Hazelwood, University City and St. Louis Public School Districts and Cardinal Ritter College Prep attended the tour.

“The Kwame Foundation recognizes the value and importance of a college education, so in 2012 we began taking student on a week-long college tour,” said Sonja Branscomb, project administrator at Kwame Building Group. “ Our goal is to increase the number of African-American students who enroll in, and graduate from, a college or university.”

The students visited eight southern HBCU universities and colleges including Tennessee State University, Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Jackson State University, Miles College, Tuskegee University, Southern University and Grambling University.

“The tours of the different HBCUs taught me how the schools were established and their historical importance,” said Aliya Williams, a junior at Cardinal Ritter Prep High School. “Most HBCUs were established when African Americans weren’t allowed to attend school with white students. This gives me all the more reason to take my education seriously because these schools were founded to help young black students like me go further in their education.”

The Kwame Foundation organized the trip, provided chaperones, sponsored four students, and paid for all students to visit the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. Aramark, a KWAME joint venture partner, provided lunch at Grambling University. The student cost for the weeklong trip was just $400.

“As a young African American female, I owe it to myself, my family, friends and peers to achieve my goals and aspirations in life,” said Joi Smith, a junior at Cardinal Ritter College Prep. “College is very important to my future, and the Kwame College Tour helped me realize I want to attend a Historically Black College University.”

“Everyone in High School should at least go on one college trip before choosing a college to attend.” said Alexis Abby, also a junior at Cardinal Ritter College Prep. “I can’t stress enough how wonderful the experience was. I really appreciate the Kwame Foundation for sponsoring this trip.”

Kwame Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization founded by Kim and Anthony Thompson of Kwame Building Group to develop a doorway of opportunity into the professional world for youth in underprivileged communities. The foundation provides mentoring programs and scholarship opportunities. For more information, visit www.kwamefoundation.org or call 314.862.5344

Media Contact
Mary Schanuel
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