The First UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour "City Tour" Stop - MPLS

This year we wanted to reach students who do not live near an HBCU campus and give them a taste of life at an HBCU. Our first location was the Twin Cities region in Minnesota. We held our tour stop on the campus of the University of Minnesota and invited high school and middle school students from across the state to learn all about the HBCU experience and what steps they need to take to get into college.

The attendance was incredible. The UNCF team in Minnesota worked with the school system and students were pulling in by the busload. The event was so big the mayor stopped in to check out what all the attention was about.

We had local dance troupes, Skype sessions with HBCU reps and our usual collection of incredible workshops, panel discussions and our celebrities came through big as they always do. Every session was packed and the students walked away with a ton of information they could never get in one place.

Our first city tour was definitely a success even if we did have to contend with the first snow storm of the year. Of course, the folks from Minnesota were not phased by a little snow so the day came off without any problems.

Thanks to Minnesota we know the city tour stop concept is a definite winner. We are looking forward to Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey more than ever now. Let us know what other cities we should consider in the future by leaving a quick shout in the "Comments" section!

The UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour Hits The ATL

After going to Spelman and Morehouse last year, we hit the final jewel in the AU Center crown, Clark Atlanta University. As expected we were given the royal treatment by everyone - students and administrators - and we had a great time. The Greeks came over to the Tour Zone to add some flavor with some hard stepping, Wells Fargo and CNN had giveaways and words of opportunity for attendees and of course our celebs closed the day by dropping science and humor.

Again, we like to sum it up using your words so here are a few of the comments we received:

"On Saturday November 6, 2010 I had the overwhelming opportunity of working with the UNCF HBCU Empower Me tour. This was a blessing to me as well as those who attended the workshops held by our special guest panel members such as Malik Yoba, and Tatyanna Ali, just to name a few. This was very beneficial in my learning process of how to prepare myself for my future in college as well as in life. This was a tremendous event that had an influence upon many especially our younger generation. I highly advise any and every one to attend any event such as this in the future, you will not regret it. I promise!"

Paulette Carter | Business Major

To Trent T. Daniel:

"Good Afternoon Mr Daniel! I was actually the gentlemen who got up and did the improv with Tatyana Ali! First, I would like to thank you so much for coming to my school and speaking to us. You, along with the panel, had such a huge impact on each and everyone of us that was there. Especially me. I would have never imagined I would be able to stand on a stage and act with my childhood crush! Thank You..."

Jude Vincent

"I thought the event was powerful and a nurturing event that not only empowered African Americans to be academically empowered but to search for your own uniqueness. I liked working the event because I worked on the film crew with celebrities such as Malik Yoba, and Tatyana Ali, just to name a few. This really was a great networking opportunity and I look forward to next year's tour."

Leno Bradby | Mass Media: Film and TV Major

We had another great day on the road and can not wait until the next tour stop!...

Xavier University Welcomes the UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour

We hit the road and brought the tour to the Big Easy making our first visit to Xavier University. As usual we met plenty of impressive students who were happy to interact with us, our sponsors and the experts and celebrities we brought to campus.

We heard great comments about the many workshops and panels and the opportunity to meet the tour participants up close. Here is a brief sample of some of the comments:

"My friend Alicia and I had a great conversation with Amir Windom. He truly inspired me to stick with my major and to stay focused!"

- Rosalyn, Sophomore, Memphis, TN, Chemistry Pre-Pharmacy Major

I enjoyed the cooking demo with Chefs Das and Kevin. Each one of them were unique in their cooking styles, and I loved hearing about their journeys to becoming chefs.

When sitting in on Define Your Pretty, I enjoyed the speakers and the topics. It was a great forum for us women, and some men, to just bring our confidence levels up and to feel even more empowered to take on the world.

- Ava, Senior, Philadelphia, PA, Spanish Major

Participating in the UNCF Tour was a very good experience. The lectures that were offered were very insightful and I feel as though they brought the Xavier community together for a quick second through all those that attended. In the end, I enjoyed it.

- Denitra, Sophomore

The UNCF Empower Me Tour was an awesome experience for myself and my peers. I enjoyed listening to successful African Americans share their words of wisdom with us. It was also a great networking opportunity! It's great to know that they really care about giving back to the community in a mentoring fashion. It was empowering and inspiring!

- Kelsey, Junior, Chicago, IL, Sociology Major

It was another great experience for the tour and the many participants who joined us. Thank you to all who made this tour stop a success!

The UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour Is Back

We are back and better than ever! The tour kicked off at Hampton University - the real "HU" as they tell us - to start the 2010 - 2011 season of the UNCF HBCU Empower Me Tour. We were happy to start our third year at this historical campus that has always welcomed the tour with open arms.

We thought the best way to recap this tour stop is to bring you the impressions of students who attended the tour, the very people we are doing this for so without anymore delay...

NAJEE CARTER | SENIOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR

“One thing I could really take from the Empower Me Tour was the fact that each speaker and representative of the companies that support the UNCF seemed genuinely interested in the well being of the students. I had a chance to speak with a few of the company representatives that travel with the tour and each rep shared some wonderful tips about the industry I hope to set foot in and even shared with me some possible internship opportunities. I loved the fact that this tour gave us students the opportunity to network with beneficent professionals.”

ELIJAH JONES | JUNIOR, BROADCAST JOURNALISM MAJOR

“I was fascinated with the fact that the tour focused considerably on the betterment of the students. It was refreshing to participate in activities that were designed to educate the students about how to reach success and it was amazing to meet speakers that were eager to share personal life lessons with us so that we may also become just as successful as they are.”

APRIL GEORGE | JUNIOR, MARKETING MAJOR

“The UNCF Empower Me Tour was an exceptionally fulfilling experience for me. It’s not everyday that one would run into an event that is put in place primarily to inspire African American students attending HBCUs to become more than they ever thought possible and unlock the strong leadership qualities in them, that fervent passion to succeed. The word “empower” means to enable and/or emancipate, and each seminar poured into each student a sense of self-assurance, liberating them from the shackles of low expectations society has bound them to. Every time I walked into an activity room, it seemed as if I could feel a wave of motivation and encouragement flow through the aisles and into the ambitions of each individual student. From the games in the Student Center Atrium to the heart-to-heart chats with celebrities that have already found their calling, the aura on Hampton’s campus emitted nothing but positive energy that lasted well past that weekend. I can honestly say that I am proud to have been a part of such a tremendous movement.”

TYRA CAMPER | JUNIOR, PRE- PHARMACY MAJOR

“The Empower Me Tour was an amazing and very refreshing experience. I was honored to attend a seminar entitled “Define Your Pretty” in which celebrity guests Kim Cole, Kita Williams, Monique Jackson and Tatiyana Ali graced us with powerful words of wisdom and encouragement regarding the African American woman’s perception of beauty. After attending that seminar, I left knowing without question that defining who you are enables you to unlock your special gifts and talents.”

MELANIE SPENCER | SENIOR, BUSINESS MAJOR

“I was blown away by the diversity of the companies that support the UNCF and traveled with the tour. From Wells Fargo to CNN, the tour gave us the opportunity to talk with professionals from a wide spectrum of career fields. I also loved the fact that each seminar/workshop was put into place to motivate the students to work diligently towards their ambitions.”

I don't think we could have asked for better comments or stronger praise. It was our pleasure to bring the tour along with our sponsors, presenters and all of the great people who help the tour come together to the campus of Hampton University!