Black College Expo: Showcasing Over 50 HBCUs for Minority Students

Last Updated on January 22, 2024

Every year, from September to April, the Black College Expo goes to fourteen cities and shows off more than 50 of the 104 historically black colleges and universities in the United States. The National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) made the Expo so that students of color could talk to college admissions officers from some of the best HBCUs in the country. Since 1999, NCRF has helped low-income students get more than $1 billion in scholarships and grants. This has given more than 400,000 students the chance to go to college.

2023-2024 Black College Expo dates and locations

New York Expo
Location: Medgar Evers College
Date: September 23, 2023

Detroit, MI Expo
Location: Huntington Place – Downtown
Date: September 30, 2023

Sacramento, CA Expo
Location: Sacramento State University 
Date: October 28, 2023

Seattle, WA Expo
Location: Seattle School District
Date: November 4, 2023

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Expo
Location: Wilkerson-Greines Activities Center
Date: November 11, 2023

Houston, TX Expo 
Location: NRG Center
Date: November 18, 2023

San Diego, CA Expo
Location: Bayview Church
Date: February 8, 2024

Los Angeles, CA Expo
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
Date: February 10, 2024

Oakland, CA Expo
Location: Oakland Marriott City Centre
Date: February 17, 2024

Miami, FL Expo
Location: Florida Memorial University
Date: February 24, 2024

D.C./Maryland Expo
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Date: March 2, 2024

North Carolina Expo
Location: Johnson C. Smith University
Date: March 6, 2024

Atlanta, GA Expo
Location: Cobb Galleria
Date: March 9, 2024

Chicago, IL Expo
Location: Chicago State University
Date: April 6, 2024

Why Should I Attend the Expo?

• If You Are The First In Your Family To Attend College: The Expo was designed to provide guidance and financial assistance to minority students from underserved and underrepresented communities. According to the NCRF, “over 90% are from low- to moderate-income families, most of whom do not know how to navigate the college admissions process.” “Black College Expo demystifies the college and career planning process.”
• If you want to know how to apply to college, get financial aid, and plan for your future career: During the Expo, high school students can go to seminars to learn more about college life and possible careers.
• If You Are Looking for Scholarship Opportunities: The NCRF College Expo scholarship essay contest is open to high school juniors and seniors every year to help students get into college.
• If you want to talk to someone from the admissions office: There will be people from dozens of HBCUs who work in college admissions looking for smart, hardworking students to attend their schools. Many of these colleges and universities will let applicants in right away if they meet their admissions requirements.

How can I prepare?

• Bring your high school transcripts and SAT/ACT score reports with you to submit your applications to admissions representatives at the event; you could get your application fees waived and get accepted into your dream school on the spot! Many schools also offer on-the-spot college scholarships to qualified applicants.
• If you are interested in joining a college marching band, you should bring your instrument to the expo and be prepared to audition!
• If you are a college student who is looking for a job or an internship, the Expo will host a job fair that will help you connect to potential employers! Bring your resume and be prepared to interview for your favorite positions.

How Much Does It Cost?

Most of the time, it's free to get in. Tickets can cost as little as $7–$10 in some places, and you can get a discount if you buy your tickets with a group of 15 or more people. 

Dates & locations are subject to change. Visit the following link to sign up on the NCR Foundation website to reserve your spot: https://www.thecollegeexpo.org/ncrf-events/events