First HBCU Family Day on Staten Island marked with music, book read-alouds, performances [Video]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island residents were able to learn about opportunities to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) while also having a family day of fun that included arts and crafts, step performances, and a book reading during the first-ever HBCU Family Day in New Brighton on Saturday.

Held at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) at Richmond Terrace, the event was hosted by the Staten Island HBCU Experience and HBCU Night Inc. It included hands-on workshops on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), college applications and admissions, and college essay writing.

Andres Martin, founder and executive director for HBCU Night Inc., led a read-aloud of his novel “HBCU Night.” There were performances by the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically Black fraternities and sororities, commonly called the Divine Nine, for youth and families to enjoy. Some were able to learn how …