2024 College Tours

Southern University and A&M College, Alabama State University , Florida A&M , Edwards Waters University, Bethune-Cookman University
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The Brand

Joy Matthews, CEO of The HBCU Kid™, is a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and a proud graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. During her matriculation at UAPB, she also became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The inspiration to create The HBCU Kid™ grew from Joy’s love for being actively involved in her community. Her mission is to use The HBCU Kid™ as a vehicle for educating prospective and current students, alumni, family, and friends about the challenges, opportunities, and achievements surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. By focusing on early adolescents, Joy hopes to cultivate the next generation of HBCU leaders.

The HBCU Kid™ brand identity is inspired by her son Bryson, former Little Mr. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 2013-14. The apparel is designed not only to promote, educate, and inform others about Historically Black Colleges and Universities, it is meant to be used as a symbol of pride for those who consider themselves HBCU Kids.

As a sign of her commitment to the success of HBCUs around the country, Joy plans to donate a percentage of sales to HBCUs in the form of book scholarships.

“Where Education is acquired, where Heritage is embraced, and where Legacy is kept alive.” – Joy Matthews, CEO

“YOU CAN GO TO SCHOOL ANYPLACE, BUT NO SCHOOL WILL LOVE YOU AND TEACH YOU TO LOVE YOURSELF AND KNOW YOURSELF LIKE HILLMAN!”

Whitley Gilbert, A Different World

The HBCU Kid 2024-2025 College Tours

The HBCU Kid’s college tours provide African-American students, parents, teachers, and counselors with the unique opportunity to visit multiple college campuses in a single trip. With more than 100 historically black colleges and universities in the United States, these multi-campus college tours give students a solid understanding of the history, culture, and traditions that have shaped the schools’ collective legacy, and a framework for comparison that will help them choose the right HBCU.

Date: October 5-6, 2024

Grades: 6th-12th

HBCUs:  Southern University and A&M College

Final payment due September 20, 2024

$300 per student ($50 non-refundable deposit) 

Pay the full amount today or in installments

All-inclusive tour includes:

      • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
      • Hotel
      • Transportation
      • (1) HBCU Kid shirt
      • (1) SU Football Ticket
      • Departure from Little Rock, AR

Date: June 23-27, 2025

Grades: 6th-12th

HBCUs:

Alabama State University,Bethune-Cookman University , Edward Waters University, and Florida A&M University

Final payment due June 21, 2025

$1,100 per student ($200 non-refundable deposit) 

Pay the full amount today or in installments

All-inclusive tour includes:

      • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
      • Hotel
      • Transportation
      • (3) HBCU Kid shirts
      • Departure from Little Rock, AR

Frequently Asked Questions

How are students supervised

Students are closely supervised. Our staff includes CEO of The HBCU Kid, tour facilitators, and chaperones. Students are closely monitored from the time they board the buses by chaperones at a ratio of 7-to-1. Students are accounted for, are required to participate in all activities, and must stay with the tour group at all times. Chaperones take attendance several times a day at every event site and perform room checks every evening. Once we arrive at the hotel, students are expected to remain in their rooms and are given instructions of what to do in the event someone becomes ill or has an emergency at night. Students are not allowed to have any visitors visit the hotel room. Chaperones greet students at the point of departure and remain with students until all students have been picked up once the group returns to the point of departure. We only provide single-sex lodging. 

What should I expect on my trip?

The HBCU Kid wants the students to have an opportunity to engage in hands-on, interactive activities that focus on academic, leadership, personal, and college readiness development. Meeting face-to-face with admissions counselors. Gaining exposure to college life. As well as giving back to the community by volunteering. Through our creative formats, students leave with a plethora of new skills and knowledge to help them build toward a successful future. 

What does the fee cover?

The fee covers transportation, lodging, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and The HBCU Kid t-shirt. Students will need additional money for souvenirs and other incidentals. The total cost of this trip is located within each tour registration. There is a non-refundable deposit fee required to reserve your child’s spot. The full balance  is due on or before Final Payment Date. There will be no refunds issued four weeks prior to departure date. Please be advised that if you need to cancel for any reason, you will forfeit your deposit and any money paid towards the trip. The HBCU Kid has agreed to issue a credit in the event cancellation is inevitable.

Are there a limited number of spaces?

Generally, yes there are a limited number of spaces available for each event, based upon the mode(s) of transportation that have been selected. Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Where will students stay while on the trip?

Students and chaperones reside with accredited hotels with ratings of 3-stars or better. In most instances, groups stay in suite-style hotels which comfortably sleep 3 to 4 students per room. Students are generally allowed to select their roommates. Private rooms, Doubles, & Quads are available upon request for an additional cost. 

Where can I get a sample schedule?

Participants will be provided a full detailed itinerary once payment is made in full and/or 7 days prior to departure.

Are meals included?

Yes, meals are included. Each student will have the opportunity to eat breakfast each morning at the hotel during the allotted times ONLY. The cost of breakfast each day (with the exception of in-route meals) is included in the cost of the trip. If a student misses breakfast, there will not be an opportunity to eat until lunchtime. Therefore, we advise that students plan to wake up early enough to shower, dress, and eat breakfast before we depart for the day’s activities. Students are also welcomed to keep snacks and bottled waters in their backpacks to enjoy during the day. Lunch and dinner venues are subject to change. We typically choose meal venues that allow students to have many choices and options for meal selections. 

Can special dietary needs be met?

Vegetarian options are always available. If your student has food allergies or needs to avoid certain foods for health or religious reasons, please indicate it on your STUDENT REGISTRATION FORM or contact our office.

Get the Merch

The HBCU Kid™ is a specialty retailer selling high-quality apparel and accessories for children, teens and adults. The goal of the brand is to help preserve the HBCU tradition by encouraging children and teens to consider HBCUs as their choice for higher education. 

Get in Touch

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions prior to your departure.

thehbcukid@gmail.com

(501)891-2226