The Ladera Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. sponsored HBCU Pride Day for students and their parents on Sept. 28 at Dorsey High School in South L.A.
This event shared immeasurable information about HBCUs and Darius Gray, a Morehouse College graduate gave a brief history of HBCU institutions.
“Historically Black Colleges and Universities have long been an important part of our history on American soil. Immediately following the Emancipation Proclamation, these institutions were many times the only opportunities available to Descendants of Slaves in America, for pursuing higher education,” Gray explained.
“While many HBCUs were initially founded and funded by non-black abolitionists, our continued attendance at these institutions for more than 150 years underlies the importance of their existence. The Supreme Court’s previous decision allowing for affirmative action in the college admissions process, gave way for PWIs (primarily White institutions) to establish recruiting models that considered socioeconomic standing and ultimately race in providing opportunities in higher education,” he said.
“On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision, striking down race-based affirmative action in college admissions. The most recent ruling has prompted what I believe to be an unintended spike in applications and admissions to HBCUs. Fewer opportunities at PWIs is bringing HBCUs back into our purview on a grand scale. I am very excited and confident that our institutions will step up to the occasion,” concluded Gray.
The students asked questions about schools that they are interested in attending. Many of the students had heard of Howard University, Spelman, Clark Atlanta and others, but they were enlightened to hear graduates share information about the HBCU school that they attended.
The HBCU graduates included Makresha Monik Reneau – Paine College, Clayton Everett -Prairie View University, Marissa Bowman – Hampton University, Kia Smith – Southern University, Darius Gray -Morehouse College, Saundra Brown – FVSU, and Roy Thomas
– Grambling University. Also, Marissa Bowman presented the Ladera Chapter will
a certificate from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Top Ladies participants included Brenda Dodd, Patricia Bizzell, Bennie Beckwith, and Merelean Wilson, the chapter’s HBCU chair and graduate of Prairie View A&M University.
