U-CAN GO TO COLLEGE: For college-bound Las Vegas students opportunities await

For college-bound Las Vegas students opportunities await

BY KIMBERLY BAILEY-TUREAUD

With the Las Vegas edition of the United College Action Network (U-Can) Black College Fair rapidly approaching in September, strong supporters discuss how it can change lives.

Dr. Alan Rowe (U-CAN creator and founder):

“We are proud to have our local United College Action Network (U-CAN) support team — along with the Clark County School District — assisting us in the Las Vegas community. It is humbling to have Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, a graduate of a historically black college, as our co-chair. He will help us greet over 40 historically black college and university (HBCU) recruiters, who are coming to Las Vegas to provide on-the-spot admission and scholarships to the children of Clark County.”

Commissioner Lawrence Weekly (U-CAN co-chair):

“I am so elated to be co-chair of the 3rd Annual U-CAN Black College Fair. It is such an honor and a blessing to be able to be part of something that has been such an integral part of my life. Working with Dr. Rowe and the entire U-CAN family is a blessing, and it is wonderful to see what they have done for our children in Southern Nevada. I am living testimony that U-CAN works: My son, who just graduated from high school in 2013, was assisted by U-CAN — and now he will be entering his freshman year at a HBCU. Last year, U-CAN helped deliver $3.4 million in scholarships to our children. The U-CAN Black College Fair is giving our children the tool of higher education, which they can use to compete nationally and globally.”

(U-CAN Community Ambassador):

“When I graduated from high school in Las Vegas, we didn’t have UNLV. If your parents wanted you to attend college, they had to send you out of state. The circle of black colleges and universities allows our young people the opportunity to have access to money for college, and opportunities to receive a competitive higher education. I am an advocate for education, and so proud that the Urban Chamber of Commerce Foundation has a signature scholarship in my name. I am supporting the U-CAN Black College Fair coming to our Las Vegas community, because it opens doors for our young people.”

Marzette Lewis (Wake-UP Founder and U-CAN Community Ambassador):

“I have been an advocate for our children in the Clark County educational system for more than 47 years, working to ensure that the historic West Las Vegas community has prime educational opportunities. I am proud to have fought for the Charles I. West Middle School and Fitzgerald School to be established in our community. It is very important that we convey to our children the importance of achieving a higher education. Our black colleges teach them to be critical thinkers — which will allow them to compete, and flourish into the leaders of tomorrow.”

Pastor Kelsey West (Founder of the Unity Through Knowledge Annual Black College Tour):

“In 19 years, my organization has taken over 1,300 Las Vegas students to tour historically black colleges and universities. The U-CAN Black College Fair is a great way to further educate our local students about HBCUs. I appreciate how U-CAN brings black college and university recruiters to Clark County. Along with students receiving a competitive education, they will excel academically because of the intimate environment at HBCUs — which allows students to build lifelong relationships with classmates and instructors. My organization is helping students who attend the U-CAN Black College Fair in Las Vegas by assisting them with the development of their college portfolios, which includes reference letters, transcripts, essays and ACT/SAT scores. Our free workshops in late August will prepare students for the U-CAN Black College Fair.

For additional information, call (702) 860-6638 or go online to www.32ndst.us.”

The Las Vegas edition of the U-CAN Black College Fair will be held Sept. 16-20. For information and registration, call (916) 921-8226.