The Umoja Scholars Program took a trip across the country to visit multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities that offered an experience that could change a student’s life forever.
The program gave around 24 students a chance to go on an all-expenses-paid educational tour to either the south in the spring or the East Coast in the fall.
I attended both educational tours and it not only changed my outlook on the options of schools to transfer to but also exposed me to endless amounts of opportunities for students of color.
The most recent trip that Umoja took was to the east coast to visit schools such as Howard University, Hampton University, Bowie State University, and Lincoln University to name a few.
In addition to the schools, the students got to explore historic African-American memorials and museums like the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial and the National Museum of African-America History and Culture both located in Washington D.C.
Students were also able to attend their potential first HBCU homecoming, which is something I never knew I needed to experience until I was there.
Department head of counseling Erainia Freeman, who accompanied the students on the tour, spoke about how the trip could open up many doors for students who never had the chance before.
“The trip has the ability to not only expose them to educational options, but also inform them of historical events that have taken place. It allows them to gain a great degree of their history and provides a great deal of unlimited possibilities,” Freeman said.
The trip is a rich experience that a lot of students should take advantage of, not only for educational purposes but to break out of their comfort zone.
Many students either flew on a plane for their first time or were in a hotel room with other like-minded peers.
Just by experiencing those ‘first times’ shows how important it is for everyone to explore other options outside of California to see what more the world has to offer.
A benefit of going on the trip is that you are able to gain connections and friendships with people that you never saw yourself meeting before.
I realized that there are other students that have the same goals as me, the same interests or even just a friend that I know has your back for life.
“I have never been around so many like-minded individuals. I met some of the coolest, most down to earth students on the trip. For that alone, I am eternally grateful,” Fellow Umoja student Imani Gordon said.
Umoja is a Kiswahili word meaning unity and that is what the whole trip is meant to bring.
It creates a sense of community for African-Americans and other students to build a strong foundation for their educational and personal journey.
The program has toured 23 Historically Black Colleges and Universities to date, and have taken over 100 students to visit since 2016.
Currently, Umoja is only able to take one trip a year, so it is crucial to cease the opportunity while you still have the chance.
Umoja coordinator Lisa Roper expressed the goal of the program and hopes for the future.
“Our hope for, not only the tours, but just with Umoja in general is to build community with students so that hopefully they become closer after the tour and living with each other for five days and so you get to meet people that you might not have met before. That is why we are trying to continue the relationship by having the porch talks after every night, the club and continue attending cultural activities as well,” Roper said.
If you are interested in this opportunity or joining the club, you can speak to Lisa Roper through email at lroper@lbcc.edu or Erainia Freeman at efreeman@lbcc.edu.