The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will host its inaugural HBCU AccessFest: College, Career, and Community Fair, on Saturday, September 16th, from 12 pm to 6 pm at the Woodruff Arts Center. Presented by Delta Air Lines and Invesco QQQ, the HBCU AccessFest will provide valuable resources and information to help students and families explore their options for higher education, internships, mentorship, and career paths.
Attendees are encouraged to explore four Access Zones: College, Career, Family Resources, and Community.
“The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) AccessFest serves as part of our ongoing effort to invest in Atlanta’s communities of color,” said Brandi Hoyos, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion director at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. “It’s been incredible to see how many organizations have stepped forward to join us by participating in this event to show their commitment to investing in our youth’s future. We are truly thankful for their support and grateful for being able to bring together so many resources in our community.”
The City of Atlanta is providing support through Mayor Andre Dickens’ ATL Year of the Youth initiative.
As part of the College Access Zone, students will have the opportunity to meet with recruiters from over 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities during the HBCU College Fair: • Albany State University
• Bethune-Cookman University
• Bowie State University
• Cheyney University
• Claflin University
• Coppin State University
• Elizabeth City State University
• Fort Valley State University
• Tuskegee University
• Grambling State University
• Hampton University
• Jackson State University
• Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Mississippi Valley State University
• Morris Brown College
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• North Carolina A&T State University
• Saint Augustine’s University
• Savannah State University
• Southern University and A&M College
• Tennessee State University
• Tougaloo College
• Virginia State University
• Virginia Union University
• Wilberforce University
Within the Career Access Zone, young professionals can engage with their peers, network with the Emerging 100® and the Collegiate 100 programs and connect with corporate and non-profit recruiters.
The Family Resource Access Zone will feature community vendors and non-profit organizations providing resources towards financial wellness and mentorship. The Community Access Zone will include interactive booths and workshops introducing career pipelines. Attendees can also enjoy and support vendors from Black-owned and HBCU-owned businesses.
Community organizations represented include the Aytes Agency, Atlanta Influences Everything (AIE), the HBCU Alumni Alliance, the NFL Alumni Network, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), NextGen America, Our Money Matters, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), and more. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has offered support as part of the ATL Year of the Youth initiative.
Other campus activities for the weekend include the ASO’s “Movies in Concert” production of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert on September 15th to the 17th, furthering the ASO’s commitment to the importance of representation and diversity in the arts.
Admission is free to the public and tickets for the HBCU AcessFest are not required. Additional details are available here: HBCU AccessFest: College, Career and Community Fair | Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (aso.org)
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