BROOKLYN, NY — A longtime college access event is returning to Brooklyn with a simple goal: help students and families turn college hopes into real admissions and scholarship opportunities. The 15th Annual New York Black College Expo will bring more than 50 historically Black colleges and universities, along with other colleges and educational providers, to Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus for a free day of one-on-one meetings.
Organizers say the event is open to students, parents, transfer applicants and adult learners, with special emphasis on high school juniors and seniors. Attendees who bring official transcripts and SAT or ACT scores may be able to pursue on-the-spot admissions and scholarship consideration. The expo will also include seminars, entertainment and a scholarship presentation later in the day.
A free college fair built around access and next steps
The National College Resources Foundation, which runs the Black College Expo series, says the Brooklyn event is meant to make higher education feel more reachable. The day brings colleges, families and community organizations into one place so students can ask questions, compare options and leave with clearer plans for what comes next.
According to NCRF, the expo is designed to serve students across Brooklyn and the broader New York area, but it welcomes attendees of all ages and backgrounds. The organization says the event is about more than browsing college brochures. It is intended to connect students with funding information, admissions contacts and career-related resources that may help them move forward after high school or a transfer decision.
On-the-spot admissions and scholarship chances
One of the biggest draws is the chance for immediate responses from schools. High school juniors and seniors, as well as college transfer students, can meet representatives from participating institutions and, in some cases, receive on-the-spot acceptance. Organizers say applicants should bring transcripts and standardized test scores to improve their chances of being considered for scholarships during the event.
More than 50 of the nation’s 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities are expected to be represented, along with other colleges and universities. The expo also includes educational service providers, giving students a wider look at possible pathways. For many families, that combination of admissions access and scholarship screening can save time and help narrow down choices quickly.
Seminars cover paying for school, careers and student athletes
In addition to the college tables, the event schedule includes interactive sessions focused on practical questions students often face. Planned seminars include “How To Find Money for College,” “Money Making Careers” and “411 For the Student Athlete.” Organizers say the sessions are meant to give attendees concrete guidance, not just inspiration.
A special celebrity-led seminar is also planned with hip-hop legend Yo-Yo, who will speak on “How to Get A’s in English!” The expo will wrap up with entertainment, cash prizes and a scholarship presentation. New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker and NCRF celebrity ambassadors are expected to take part in that final portion of the program.
LIU Brooklyn hosts the expo at the home of Roc Nation School
This year’s event is set for Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus at 1 University Plaza, the home of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment. NCRF says the campus setting helps create a strong public-facing space where students can interact directly with colleges and educational organizations in person.
The expo runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is free. The foundation says the Brooklyn stop is part of a broader effort to celebrate the history and legacy of HBCUs while also welcoming students and families of all backgrounds and ages. For organizers, the location matters because it places the event in the center of a busy urban community where college planning often competes with other demands on families’ time.
NCRF says its mission is to keep college within reach
National College Resources Foundation says it was founded in 1999 and held its first Black College Expo in California in 2000, where more than 35,000 people attended. Since then, the nonprofit says it has helped more than 800,000 students gain access to higher education and has facilitated more than $5 billion in scholarships and grants.
The group says it now serves more than 200,000 students each year through College Expos and other programs, including STEAM, internships and careers, student-athlete support and Latino community engagement. NCRF says its broader mission is to reduce the high school dropout rate and increase degree or certificate enrollment among underserved, at-risk, low-resource, homeless and foster students.
How families can attend and learn more
Because the event is free, NCRF expects a wide mix of students and families to stop by during the day. The foundation says college-bound juniors and seniors may benefit most from the admissions and scholarship opportunities, while transfer students and adult learners can also use the event to explore next steps.
More information is available through the organization’s website, and media requests are being handled by Melanie Eke Washington at National College Resources Foundation. NCRF also points attendees to its social media and YouTube channels for updates about the expo and its wider college access work.
