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Information Packet 2016
ABOUT NEW YORK CITY
OMEGA BLACK COLLEGE TOUR
The New York City Omega Black College Tour is a comprehensive college preparatory program that culminates in a bus tour of college campuses, created out of a joint venture between Xi Phi, a New York City-based Graduate Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Community Uplift through Perseverance (CUP) 501©3. Now in its 28th year, the tour has become a staple of the Greater New York City education community. The leadership of the Black College Tour is made of the officers of Xi Phi Chapter, CUP and a diverse group of educators, civic leaders, clergy, entrepreneurs, members of the Divine Nine (Black Greek Letter Organizations), community leaders and alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
On February 13-19, 2016, the New York Omega Black College Tour will take 90 minority high school Scholars to experience new college opportunities at some of the most renowned HBCUs in the United States. The tour has transformed the futures of over 1,000 young people in their transition to college life and beyond.
ABOUT NEW YORK CITY
OMEGA BLACK COLLEGE TOUR
o HBCUs history and mission
o College application process
o SAT/ACT prep and strategies
o College life
o Scholarships and financial aid planning
o Networking o Etiquette
(Claflin University, 2015 Tour)
The closing workshop will take place two weeks after the tour, with an overview of the entire program. All participants – Scholars, parents and chaperones alike – are invited to share their experiences, while selected guest speakers encourage the Scholars to continue in their pursuit of higher education. Past guests include: Congressman Charles Rangel; Congresswoman Inez Dickens; Ainsley Rudolfo of New York City Department of Education; Rubain Dorancy, Esq. of Triad Consulting Strategies; Dr. James Bethea, Basileus of Nu Omicron Chapter; Tracy Richelle High, Esq., Partner of Sullivan and Cromwell, LLC; and radio personality Déjà Vu of WBLS.
In addition to exposing students to new educational environments, the tour serves an important purpose in teaching all participants about the importance of building and maintaining a strong community. “This tour is a chance to mold ‘our’ future,” says Co-Chair Barbara White. “This type of unity will propel us to reach our intended goals and beyond.”
Before the tour commences, the Scholars and their parents will attend weekend workshops on the following topics:
TOUR STOPS
February 13-19, 2016
Spelman College, 2015 Tour
Morgan State University
Howard University
Fisk University
Meharry Medical College
Tennessee State University
Talladega College
Tuskegee University
Spelman College
Morehouse College
Clark Atlanta University
Johnson C. Smith University
Livingstone College
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
“Research demonstrates that HBCU graduates enjoy greater financial success in their careers, and U.S. rankings consistently show that HBCUs are among the top producers of students who continue their educations through graduate and professional schools.”
White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
https://www.ed.gov/edblogs/whhbcu/
“An analysis in The (New York) Times…showed that more than one in every six black men in the 24-to-54 age group has disappeared from civic life, mainly because they died young or are locked away in prison…(which) translates into lower marriage rates, more out-of-wedlock births, a greater risk of poverty for families and, by extension, less stable communities.”
"Forcing Black Men Out of Society." The New York Times, 26 Mar. 2015
“70 percent of African-American doctors and dentists have received their degrees from historically black institutions. Specifically, Morehouse, Meharry and Howard universities have all established a strong reputation for graduating African-American physicians.”
Concordia Online Education “Why College-Ready African-American Students Should Consider an HBCU”
http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/reference-material/why-college-ready-african-american-students-should-consider-a-hbcu/
IMPORTANCE OF
COMMUNITY MENTORSHIP
YMI Cultural Center, Asheville, N.C. 2015 Tour
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We#combat#the#stats#through#education,#mentorship,# and#community.#
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
BRINGS LASTING RESULTS
Unlike most tours that end when the bus returns, NYC Omega Black College Tour follows up by maintaining relationships with their students. Some of the services provided by the staff include reviewing college application materials (i.e. personal statements/essays), posting scholarship information through Facebook/Twitter, and informing students of multiple outlets for community service. Several students have also maintained ties to the tour by giving their testimonials at various school and organization presentations. As Chairman Ed Murray states, “When a student joins the NYC Omega Black College Tour family, they become a member for life.”
STATS
• Average of onsite college acceptances: 55 per year since 2012 • Average amount of scholarships: $500,000 per year since 2012 • One Bill Gates Millennium Scholar awarded in 2015
• Tour expansion to Scholars from Pennsylvania, California, Louisiana and Massachusetts in 2015
• Over 40 HBCUs visited in seven states and Washington, D.C. • Over 100 students accepted into HBCUs since 2012
Scholars receiving on-site acceptances from Allen University at 2014 Tour
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
The New York City Omega Black College Tour is seeking donations and sponsorship from schools, organizations and community leaders to offset the operational costs. All efforts and commitment of the staff are purely volunteer; all donations go directly towards the running of the tour. In return for its generous sponsorship, the organization will receive the following benefits:! INDIVIDUAL ! $100!–!Bronze! Snacks!for!four!Scholars! Recognition!on!BCT!Website!and! Newsletter! ! $450!–!Silver! Sponsor!one!Scholar! All!Bronze!perks!plus!Swag!Bag! ! $1,000!–!Gold! Sponsor!one!Scholar!plus!meals! All!Silver!perks!plus!mentions!in!! promotions! ! CORPORATE ! $4,500!–!Platinum! Sponsor!10!Scholars! All!Gold!perks!plus!two!tickets!to! black!tie!gala!and!logo!on! website/press!kit! ! $12,000!–!Titanium! Cost!of!one!bus! All!Platinum!perks!plus!invite!to! speak!at!closing!ceremony! ! $35,000!–!Black!Card! Cost!of!hotel!stays! All!Titanium!perks!plus!magnetic! horizontal!banner!on!bus! !
Please make your tax deductible donation payable to: C.U.P., Hamilton Grange Station, P.O. Box 616, New York, New York 10031 or donate via PayPal at: http://www.xiphichapter.com/bctHearNow.htm
New York City Omega Black College Tour does not provide goods or services in exchange for contributions, making it tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
SPONSORS Titanium Sponsors
o New York City Department of Education’s Division of Equity and Access o Rubain Dorancy, Esq. of Triad Consulting Strategies
Platinum Sponsors
o Sam Kok, Green Ginger Restaurant – Decatur, Georgia (In-kind sponsor) o Joseph M. Bushfan, Joe’s Diner – Durham, NC (In-kind sponsor)
o NY Yankees – Bronx, NY (In-kind sponsor) Silver Sponsors
o Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
o Epsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
o Nu Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
o Zeta Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
o Corridor 5 of 2nd District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
o Lyle Baron – Omega Man
o John Cash – Omega Man
o Leroy Colter – Omega Man
o Alan Grantham – Omega Man
o Relester James – Omega Man
o Ron Jones – Omega Man
o Lauretta Pierce, Covenant Cookies – Atlanta, Georgia o Natalie Borneo – Parent
o Bongi Doughty – Parent
MEDIA APPEARANCES
o Television:
o Here and Now with Sandra Bookman (WABC, New York) o WLTX-19 News (Columbia, SC)
o Radio:
o Steve Harvey Morning Show (WBLS – Syndicated National Program) o Express Yourself with Imhotep Gary Byrd (WBLS, New York) o Quake’s House with Déjà Vu (WBLS, New York)
o The Open Line with Bob Slade (WBLS, New York) o Internet:
o I’m Just Saying (podcast with hostCathleen Williams, Esq.)
o 1209 Affairs (podcast with hosts Stacey Grant, Esq. and Sanya Hudson) o Articles:
o “HBCU Tours Open Eyes, Opportunities” USA Today
o “How Far Will You Go For a Child’s Education?” LaurettaMariePierce.com
(from l-r: Sandra Bookman, host of Here and Now; Mujaheed Bey, Immediate Past Basileus, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Xi Phi Chapter, New York, NY; Barbara White, NYC Omega Black College Tour Co-Chair)
BIOS
Edward A. Murray Chairman
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Edward Murray has over 20 years of progressive experience in the field of accounting for some of the largest global financial service companies. He currently serves as Chairman of New York City Omega Black College Tour, a tour currently in its 28th year of experience, having sent over 1,000 students to visit HBCUs.
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Edward served as the former president of a historical non-profit organization and increased fundraising revenue by 100% in two years. He has a proven track record of program development and implementation with the ability to mobilize small and large groups to action, with excellent public speaking and writing skills. He also coordinates community health fairs with the assistance of Harlem Hospital and voter registration drives.
Edward has held membership and served in the following organizations:
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. • Prince Hall Mason, State of NY
• National Association of Black Accountants • Environmental Commission, Willingboro, NJ • Toastmasters Internationals
• Big Brother/Big Sister of Burlington County • Boy Scouts of America
In accordance with his lifelong involvement in community service, Edward’s son participated in the 2012 and 2013 tours and is now a sophomore at North Carolina A&T University.
BIOS
Barbara White Co-Chair
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As a lifelong advocate of giving back to the community, Barbara White considers herself a “professional volunteer.” She started with her child’s local middle and high school PTA committees, then branched off to work as a coordinator for various organizations such as 100 Black Men, Rainbow Push Coalition, and Dress for Success.
She also serves as owner of Who R They Productions, LLC, a full-service public relations/promotional service for up and coming talent. In 2012, she began coordinating and chaperoning the New York City Black College Tour, sponsored by Community Uplift through Perseverance, Inc. 501©3 (C.U.P.) in Conjunction with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated Xi Phi Chapter. The tour has exposed over 1,000 students to Historically Black Colleges and Students across the Eastern Seaboard, as well as providing financial aid and career planning information.
“As Whitney Houston's ‘Greatest Love Of All’ states, ‘I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way, show them all the beauty they possess inside.’ It is our responsibility to uplift and establish this feeling in the youth of today.”
CONTACT INFO
For Media and Press Inquiries Edward A. Murray (609) 418-6849 [email protected] Barbara White (516) 567-9572 [email protected] Official Website: http://www.xiphichapter.com/BCTHearNow.htm Blog: http://nycomegabct.blogspot.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NycOmegaBlackCollegeTour Twitter: @nycomegabct YouTube: nycomegabct Mailing Address C.U.P.
Hamilton Grange Station P.O. Box 616
