Breaking Barriers: What Students Learned at Our CBCA Workshop

Gainesville, FL (EEF News) — At The Education Equalizer Foundation (EEF), we believe every student deserves access to higher education opportunities that fit their goals, values, and financial needs. Thanks to the generous support of our grantors, we recently hosted a Common Black College Application (CBCA) Workshop that brought this mission to life.

Because of your generosity, over 30 students attended the session, saving more than $2,000 in application fees with waived costs to apply to 60+ Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Students also walked away with raffle prizes and the chance to engage with special guests from Morehouse College, Savannah State University, and LeMoyne-Owen College.

Most importantly, our students left the workshop more informed, more inspired, and better prepared to take their next steps toward college.

What Students Learned

• Emory Robinson:
  “The CBCA application was very informative. I learned that Morehouse College has an 86% first-year retention rate.”
• Jay Morant Jr.:
  “The biggest thing I learned was about LeMoyne-Owen College. I had never heard of it before, and it helped me realize there are plenty of schools out there—not just the big flashy ones.”
• Tyler Baker:
  “I learned about the different benefits each college offers. Smaller colleges give students the feeling of being treated as more than just a number, compared to larger universities.”
• Lenniya Allen:
  “I learned the different qualities colleges look for and about the variety of majors they provide. I was also intrigued by ‘Fried Chicken Wednesdays’ at Savannah State—that really stood out to me!”
• Isona Wolfe:
  “I learned how important it is to choose a university that not only has your major but also supports you in graduating debt-free.”
• Amiah Carter:
  “I learned the importance of considering the location and size of a university when making a choice. The best way to know if a school is right for you is to visit the campus in person.”
• Sean North:
  “I didn’t know there was a Black Common App. That was completely new to me.”

Why This Matters

For many of our students—especially first-generation college-bound students—exposure makes all the difference. Learning about retention rates, campus culture, affordability, and the breadth of HBCUs empowers them to make informed decisions that will shape their futures.

Parents also benefit from these workshops. Hearing students talk about graduating debt-free, finding the right fit, and exploring schools beyond the well-known names reassures families that their children have real options and a community of support.

Special Thanks

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the presenters who shared their time and expertise with our students:

• Mequell Mayfield – Savannah State University
• Delawne Quinn – LeMoyne-Owen College
• Darrius Pearson – Morehouse College

We also give a special thank you to Robert Mason, Founder of the Common Black College Application (CBCA), for providing application fee waivers that made it possible for our students to apply to more than 60 HBCUs at no cost.

Your partnership made this workshop impactful and memorable for every attendee.

What’s Next

This is only the beginning. Our next workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 1, at 7:00 PM, where we will guide students through:

• The Common Application
• FAFSA completion strategies
• How to write strong personal statements

Together, we’re proving that when students are given access, support, and opportunity, they don’t just dream about college—they get there.

About The Education Equalizer Foundation

The Education Equalizer Foundation empowers middle—through high school students and their families on the path to higher education. The college admittance process can be daunting and complex, particularly for scholars from underserved backgrounds. Our mission is to demystify this process and provide students with the necessary tools to gain admission and graduate successfully.

Thank you to the following organizations for sponsoring The Education Equalizer Foundation.