AUSTIN, Texas — As Black History Month continues, an Austin museum dedicated to preserving that history is helping create opportunities for the next generation to thrive.
The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center in East Austin hosted its eighth annual HBCU Day and College Fair on Saturday.
Representatives from 13 historically Black colleges and universities, along with 10 companies, took part.
The event also featured performances by the Prairie View A&M University marching band and Huston-Tillotson University choir, plus workshops and panels.
Fadeelah Muhyee, event coordinator at George Washington Carver Museum, believes this college fair is unique.
“Not only are families learning about all of these cool colleges, about the possibilities of internships, but they’re learning how to fill out the FAFSA [financial aid form],” said Muhyee. “They’re learning how to fill out the grants. They’re learning about the different scholarships that are available to them.”
Muhyee added, “That’s truly our intention today: Make this vision a reality for families who typically kind of get lost in this process.”
This year, Muhyee said organizers promoted the event heavily to middle schoolers.
“We want young people as young as middle school to start learning about this process,” she said. “You keep coming, and each year you learn something a little different. You learn about a different college, and then again, you feel more empowered to go through this process versus shying away.”
Saturday’s college fair is one of nine programs the Carver Museum is hosting for Black History Month. Click here to see the full calendar of events.