Heartland Black College Expo

Mt. Vernon, IL Hosts 7th Annual Heartland Black College Expo
Submitted by: Art Friederich, Mt. Vernon, IL

The Black College Expo was held February 17 and 18th, 2007 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. The partnership of the Jefferson County African American Heritage Committee, the Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development Area Council and the Natural Resources Conservation Service sponsored the 7th Annual Heartland Black College Expo. Nearly 250 high school students from Illinois, Bootheel of Missouri, Western Kentucky and Indiana were invited to the event. The purpose of the event is to help any student who may have difficulties fitting into larger university systems be more than aware that there are other options and institutions with greater diversity available. Interestingly, the average black university demonstrates its diversity with a 30% more white student enrollment levels.

For the second year, the weather was uncooperative at the time of the event. Even so, six universities and four career agencies were present. Bad winter weather could not deter the 128 students that braved the cold and snow to attend the event. The strong partnership was developed between local committee members, universities, churches and the Natural Resources Conservation Service also has fostered earth team volunteers who gave more than 250 hours of volunteer services to make the expo a success for the students. This event has shown how grassroots efforts to develop a local work group partnership can turn into a very successful event over that has endured over the past 7 years.

	Volunteers help prepare food for more than 100 students.
Art Friedrich, Illinois NRCS District Conservationist in Jefferson County tells students about NRCS and career benefits.
Representatives from other colleges and universities tell students about collegiate programs and resources.