Meet Deshawn

Class of 2019-2020

About Deshawn

Hello, my name is Lawrence Deshawn Mack I’ve been in Blue Heart for 3 year now and this program has help build and help me become a man not just waking up early in the morning to make sure I’m on time but, getting to the monthly workshops and making sure I have the right material I need to be successful.

This program has set me apart from my other peers, in a good way, because it helped connect me with like-minded men that want to reach a higher goal and better education

Some of the most memorable moments I have had in Blue heart were the times we went snowboarding, kayaking and many other activities.

Blue Heart has help me become a better person in the class. Those events were fun but, I didn’t need as much help communicating and socializing as I did in the classroom.

Blue heart has helped me take my learning skill to the next level by giving me little tips like making sure I sit in the front of the class and making sure I have more than one pencil and email the teacher if I didn’t understand something.

Those were the things I learned most from Blue Heart

Together We Rise!

At The Blue Heart Foundation, we believe in empowering African American boys by equipping them with more than just academic knowledge. Our mission is to nurture a strong, positive mindset, instill the value of higher education, and introduce the transformative wisdom of metaphysical principles. We are committed to helping these young leaders develop the confidence, critical thinking skills, and spiritual grounding they need to overcome obstacles, excel academically, and lead with purpose.

Email
support@theblueheartfoundation.org

Location
San Diego CA 92154

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College Admissions: The Hard Truth

by April Ray | Education

The Problem With College Admissions and How Blue Heart is Beating The Odds.

Recently, Felicity Huffman’s daughter was accepted into the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University – just over a year after her parent’s involvement in a high profile college admissions scandal. In early 2019, the government investigated actors, business tycoons, and other super wealthy parents in a college admissions investigation known internally as Operation Varsity Blues. More than 30 parents were charged with paying upwards of $25 million dollars in bribes to secure their children’s admissions into elite schools. The lawsuit exposed the long-standing advantages that wealthy applicants have and resurfaced national conversations about racial inequality in college admissions.

Millions of high school students participate in what should be a fair process of applying to college every year. In reality, millions of underserved youth have to face racial inequality in college admissions. There are barriers of entry and systemic discrimination that prevents some students from having a college application as competitive as their peers. Typically, college applications consist of an application form, a personal essay (or writing sample), the student’s academic transcript, recommendations from teachers or community members, and, most controversially, standardized test scores.

Many colleges require standardized testing, which in and of itself is discriminatory. Tests like the SAT and ACT cost from $50-$100 and are administered outside of the classroom. While some students are able to purchase the official study guides (priced anywhere from $15-$40), take prep classes and spend hundreds of dollars on retesting and expediting scores, other students don’t have the means. Some students may not have the advantage of choosing which scores to use on their college application because they can only afford to take the test once, if at all. Additionally, students with jobs after school may not have the time to dedicate to studying or extra prep classes. This can be a larger issue when schools, funded by property taxes, don’t have the same resources to help students in lower income neighborhoods prepare for these tests. Underserved youth that do have the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT are also subject to an achievement gap.

Throughout history, students with different racial or ethnic backgrounds have notable scoring gaps on large-scale standardized tests, like the SAT.

Specifically, the black-white achievement gap has persisted for almost a century. From data publicly available by the College Board, the scores of black students have consistently been clustered on the lower end, while white students have maintained a relatively normal distribution throughout the entire score range. This can be attributed to the culturally biased language and format of standardized tests. Ultimately, what is meant to assess aptitude, actually assess how quickly a student can guess what the test maker determines as the correct answer. Because standardized testing is primarily used to determine merit-based scholarships, this achievement gap has further implications on racial inequality in college admissions. If black students can’t score high enough on the SAT or ACT, they are not eligible to be considered for those opportunities.

Although some colleges have begun to remove the standardized testing requirement, there are still other monetary barriers to entry, like application fees, that exist and perpetuate racial inequality in college admissions. Each college can choose how much to charge – some colleges, especially the more elite colleges like Stanford University, charge an application fee as high as $90. At this point in the college application process, families of underserved youth may not be able to afford these application fees, which gives an unfair advantage to students of families in higher income brackets, as the 2019 college admissions scandal shows.

A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that students whose parents are in the top 1% are 77 times more likely to attend an elite college than students whose parents are in the bottom 20%.

That statistic alone is concerning. When comparing students from both low and high income families, the NBER report found that the students have similar earning potential, dependent on the college they attend. This proves that students from low income families aren’t misplaced in college. But, the lower rates of upward mobility, how often students from the bottom 20% are able to reach the top 20%, show that students from low income families aren’t getting the chance to access college education.

With no national measures in place to support underserved youth, there will continue to be racial inequality in college admissions. In 2018, the Trump administration withdrew Obama-era guidance that encouraged affirmative action. Previously, the Department of Justice and the Department of Education issued a joint statement urging colleges to voluntarily consider race in the interest of achieving diversity. But now, some states have even gone as far banning affirmative action. In the absence of national policy, college admissions must challenge the status quo – favoring admission for legacies and students with transcripts decorated with extra curriculars and high standardized test scores.

The growing racial inequality in college admissions is a problem given the benefits of higher education on under-served youth, especially African American boys. Higher education results in higher earning potential, more career options, and character development for young African American men. Recognizing the importance of higher education in our communities, The Blue Heart Foundation is committed to supporting our students. As a service to our boys, we collaborate with the University of California – San Diego for an intensive SAT prep program, called Students With Academic Goals (SWAG). We help make applying to college more affordable by using the Common Black App and providing access to SAT waivers, as well as CSU & UC application fee waivers.

The Blue Heart Foundation boasts a 100% college acceptance rate. Our young men have earned thousands of dollars in scholarships to universities across the country. Contact us today to learn more about how we invest in the educational development of our youth.

Together We Rise!

Email
support@theblueheartfoundation.org

Location
San Diego CA 92154

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Meet Isaiah Hubbard

by April Ray | Senior Spotlight

ISAIAH HUBBARD CLASS OF 2019-2020

Meet Isaiah

Hi my name is Isaiah Hubbard and I was born in Los Angeles and raised in San Diego California. I moved to San Diego when I was two years old. At the age of four I started playing basketball which was a major aspect in my life until the age of 17. During the time I played basketball I received multiple medals, awards, and trophies.

While playing I traveled to places such as Las Vegas, Anaheim, Los Angeles, and local areas around San Diego such as Alliant University Gym, The YMCA, and pretty much every high school in the South Bay and some in the San Diego Unified School District.
Another highlight of my life includes me always being involved in something to help shape who I am today. My Sophomore year of high school was a significant year to me because I participated in The AKA Debutante Ball as an escort.

Also, this is the year that I became a Blue Heart member, and my first day was at the 2018 signing day.

With my first day joining Blue Heart at the 2018 signing day, I experience Blue Heart at its finest. I say this because I saw a lot of leaders and young men who presented themselves in such an impressive way and the young men going off to college. 2018 is the year I joined blue heart and the year Kaori graduated.

Kaori is a former Blue Heart member and a big take away that I received from him was to never give up and push through any situation.

I related to this because we both played sports but stopped playing for different reasons. Even though he did not go to college for football like he would have liked he prevailed and now is at Morehouse College.

2019 is where I saw the most struggle and growth in myself. Blue Heart was a major contribution in helping me with my struggles. Even though there were many leaders in Blue Heart that helped me with my growth, I would say that Tracy was the most helpful. He was extremely hard on me whenever we got together as a group and never sugar coated anything.

Fast forwarding into 2020 I am getting ready to graduate and transition into a college, I am becoming more self-sufficient, making more decisions on my own, and most importantly becoming a young man.

With this said, Blue Heart has contributed to all four of those key points of my life. I would like to give thanks to Blue Heart for helping me get out of my comfort zone and giving me a place where I could relate to young black men like myself. I say this because before joining Blue Heart I never really hung out with a group of all black young men. I was always around mixed races or non-black.

Not saying that that is bad but it’s nothing like having a group of friends where everyone can relate, joke and talk about school the same.

So, in conclusion I would give my Blue Heart experience a ten out of ten.

Together We Rise!

Email
support@theblueheartfoundation.org

Location
San Diego CA 92154

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6 Benefits of Higher Education For African American Boys

by April Ray | Education

The Importance Of Higher Education On Black Youth

The gap between female and male enrollment is widest for African American students, according to a 2018 National Center for Education Statistics report. Considering black students are already underrepresented in higher education, this shows a concerning absence of young African American men in college.

While some people may think higher education is too much of an investment of time and money upfront, it turns out the benefits consistently outweigh those costs – especially for young African American men. Read on to learn the top 6 benefits of higher education that show the importance of young African American men going to college.

6 Benefits of Higher Ed For African American Boys | #1 – Expanded Career Options

Jobs for those with only a high school diploma are in trades or more labor intensive. It’s harder for young black men to show their true potential in these positions. Additionally, vocational certifications only prepare you for one trade, and can’t be applied elsewhere without an additional certification.

Job mobility is limited for candidates with only a high school diploma, which can result in young black men being stuck in jobs that might not give them much satisfaction. Higher education typically has general education requirements which allows students to explore different subjects and get a better idea of what they want to do without wasting time, money, or credits.

6 Benefits of Higher Ed For African American Boys | #2 – Higher Earning Potential

Not only does going to college expand career options, but pursuing higher education unlocks a higher earning potential for young black men. A college degree signals a greater professional capacity to potential employers, which translates to higher salaries.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that men with higher education earn 84% more than men with only a high school diploma. The unemployment rate is also lower for degree holders compared to those with just a high school diploma. African American high school graduates with no college education are more than twice as likely to be unemployed than African Americans with a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Money isn’t everything, but it provides less financial worries and more control over life. Higher earning potential makes it so young black men can keep their heads above water and even enjoy disposable income and give back to their communities.

6 Benefits of Higher Ed For African American Boys | #3 – Transition to A Young Man

In addition to having financial independence, young black men gain a sense of self away from home. Developmentally, they have the opportunity to shape their identity, reflect on their own values, and establish how they want to interact with others interpersonally. This provides young black men with a healthy way to have a clear sense of who they are and what type of man they want to be, that is rooted in their own understanding of their values.

Higher education teaches students to think critically in ways that high school doesn’t offer. Building these skills enable young men to make more thoughtful and informed decisions in their personal lives as well as their academic lives. In college, students are taught to be self-motivated, responsive, and most importantly, open to learning from their mistakes.

It’s inevitable that young black men are going to deal with adversity and setbacks in college, but it’s important to allow them the space to figure it out on their own. Not having their parent’s oversight challenges a young black man to step up in ways that he hasn’t before. And as a result, they have the opportunity to transition into the responsible young men that we know they have the potential to be.

6 Benefits of Higher Ed For African American Boys | #4 – Improved Confidence

Getting to class on time, completing assignments, and participating in group projects are standards that will be set in college. Like-minded, engaged peer groups provide a culture of support that will help African American young men welcome this kind of responsibility. The structure of higher education allows for students to consistently be rewarded for putting in hard work. Having that feeling of

self-assurance and appreciation of their abilities is important in building self-confidence. A sense of control and social support can be transformational for young black men – purposeful living can motivate them to become the best versions of themselves.

6 Benefits of Higher Ed For African American Boys | #5 – Happier & Healthier

Higher education also provides the opportunity for young black men to enroll in classes and sign up for activities that excite them, without the structured limitations of high school. They can meet people from various backgrounds and cultures that have similar interests, in addition to discovering new interests they didn’t know they had.

For decades, it’s been well established by institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that educational attainment improves health and life expectancy. Greater educational attainment is associated with health-promoting behaviors like eating fruits and vegetables and doing regular physical activity.

This is extremely important for African American men, who have a lower life expectancy than their white peers. Completion of higher education is key to having adequate food, housing, insurance, and other basic necessities for a happy and healthy life.

6 Benefits of Higher Ed For African American Boys | #6 – Become A World Traveler

Travel can be one of the best learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Through study abroad programs, alternative spring breaks, and internship opportunities around the country, students can make global connections.

Traveling is a great way to grow as a person – meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, and learning how to go about daily life in a foreign place are all great ways to develop personally and professionally. No matter where your student enrolls, leaving what they’ve always known is the first step in discovering where they fit in the world.

Higher education expands career options, boosts earning potential, and helps develop character for young African American men.

Whatever the path, higher education can help young black men get there. The Blue Heart Foundation is focused on the empowerment and education of under-served youth, and we believe that college education can change a community. We provide our young men from disadvantaged backgrounds with academic support, financial assistance, and leadership training to become first generation college students.

With a 100% college acceptance rate, our young men have earned thousands of dollars in scholarships to universities across the country. Contact us today to learn more about how we can provide students with the tools to succeed and excel in today’s academic and social environment.

Together We Rise!

Email
support@theblueheartfoundation.org

Location
San Diego CA 92154

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Meet Edward

by April Ray | Senior Spotlight

2019-2020 Student President of The Blue Heart Foundation

About Edward Shenault

My name is Edward Shenault and I am the 2019-2020 Blue Heart President. I am 17 years old and attend High Tech High San Diego.

I was raised by a “village” so academics were never a big problem for me because I had so many people in my corner making sure that I was on top of my work. My grandfather was a Pastor before he passed. He was a huge part of my life, taking me to school for many years. He always asked me how I was doing in school and would say, “Don’t fool me now” when I responded. I knew this meant that he was expecting me to always do well, and I’ve worked hard to not disappoint him. So, when he passed, I told myself that I was not going to let him down.

I made sure I did the best I could to make him proud. While being raised in church I was around many different positive role models. Being around these prestigious men and women I have had a lot of time to take in wisdom that has been given to me throughout my entire life and add my own touch to it to fit my life. With the advice that was and is still being passed to me, by my grandmother, mother, father and others, I have been able to navigate my way through school and tough times. Aside from being raised in church, I was also very engaged in sports. For seven years I played football where I learned the basics of teamwork, becoming a leader and working in a community.

I joined Blue Heart about a year and a half ago. I did not join because my grades were low, I joined because I wanted to be a part of a brotherhood. I wanted to learn how to become a better leader and learn how to be a better young man for my community. Even still, I did not really understand the purpose of the organization, so I did not value my time in it. Initially, I was not very open to stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things.

After attending the monthly workshops and community service events, I have been able to slowly step out of my shell towards being the kind of leader that will bring my brothers together and create unity. The turning point for me was when I became President. When I became President, I realized that I had a bigger responsibility ahead of me than just showing up; it allowed me the opportunity to understand the history and purpose of Blue Heart.

“My favorite experience has been the step practices because I have been able to see how my brothers’ bonds feed off of each other’s energy and break out of my shell and bond with them.”

Blue Heart has basically opened my eyes to the real world. Blue Heart has taught me that as young black men growing up in this country, we have to carry ourselves properly because our every move is being watched in everything we do everywhere. Blue Heart has also taught me how to step up and take lead when no one else will and how to be a better man overall. My favorite experience has been the step practices because I have been able to see how my brothers’ bonds feed off of each other’s energy and break out of my shell and bond with them.

I have grown a lot since I first joined Blue Heart. I want to thank Tracy for choosing me to be President. At first, I was unsure why he chose me because I had only been in the program for a few months, and I did not know if I was ready. However, he reassured me and with his guidance, and past president Amir Duke I was able to catch my groove and find my own way to lead my brothers. I am honored to be a member of Blue Heart and look forward to taking the tools that I have learned into the next phase of my educational journey.