“I didn’t even want to go to college, but I thought, if I do, I want to go somewhere I can be with Black people. The moment I stepped foot on the campus at Central State it felt like home. [The trip] was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Ionna
“I didn’t really want to go to college until the HBCU tour. Now, the only way I’d want to go is if it’s an HBCU. I want to go somewhere that has a good music program and I really liked Fisk. I learned a lot about it and I want to go in the next couple years.” Zariyah
“I made a lot of friends that I still talk to now. I liked it because I found out about HBCUs that I didn’t even know about and now I’m going to one of them: Central State.” Jasa
“I met wonderful new people. We made a new sisterhood.”
With the Akoma Cohort and HBCU tours, Love First is creating intentional space for Black girls to embrace and be affirmed in their unapologetic Black brilliance, joy and resiliency. This innovative and unique initiative builds on our belief that, when Black youth are liberated, all youth will be liberated by providing experiential learning, educational travel and ongoing support to cultivate and guide participants on their self-determined path to success, prosperity, and connection to culture and community.
Unlike other programs that are focused solely on higher education, the Akoma Cohort visits HBCUs that are inclusive of scholars with lower GPAs and provides access to opportunities, cultural pride and the bond of sisterhood for Black girls who are often left behind. More than a one-time trip, this tour integrates Black history and culture, relationship building among participants and proactive support before and after the excursion to provide ongoing assistance and connection.
HBCU Tour 2023
In 2023, our second HBCU tour grew to 27 Black girls from the Twin Cities visiting museums and HBCUs in Georgia and Alabama.
“I learned that there are dozens of communities and spaces for us Black girls, and we can be just as, if not more, successful than the majority. My favorite part was the experiences and meeting new people. I made tons of new friends and every day was something new and fun.”
“I learned that it’s not just about HBCUs but the experiences of living in Alabama or Atlanta. My favorite part was touring Spelman and Morris Brown but I really loved the museums, too.”
“I learned that Black struggle and Black joy should be shared more. Our truth is how we make people listen.”
“My favorite part was seeing the colleges and being surrounded by all Black excellence.”
HBCU Tour 2022
In 2022, we kicked off year one of the Akoma Cohort with a six-day tour of Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Tennessee and Ohio attended by more than 20 Black girls from the Twin Cities.
“I want to express my gratitude for this life changing experience. This trip was easily the highlight of my year, and my overall education experience. I feel like I’ve truly gained a life long sisterhood throughout this trip. I never knew what an HBCU was until I went and there’s absolutely no way I’m going to a PWI [predominantly white institution]. The livelihood, culture, and connection I felt to the HBCUs we toured will forever be unmatched. Being in a space where you feel comfortable and surrounded by those of the same background and ancestry as you holds a divine sense of courage and empowerment that you will likely not receive elsewhere. I had an awakening on this trip within myself, my culture, my education, and my friends, who I now consider family.” -Maraya Lucio, Akoma Cohort member
