Blue Heart is super excited to Announce our 2nd HBCU Tour!!
According to our 2023 HBCU tour participants…This will be a life changing experience for our current Juniors and Seniors!
College Campus Tours are designed to empower students to make an informed decision about college. Our participants will later announce their college/career of choice in front of their friends and family during or Blue Heart Signing Day 2024 Event!
⭐This year’s participants will attend the following HBCU’s Mar 25–29, 2024:
• Morehouse College • Spelman College • Clark Atlanta University • North Carolina A&T State University • Morgan State University • Hampton University • Norfolk State University • Howard University • North Carolina Central University • Winston Salem State University
👏We want to thank our donors from The American Endowment Foundation for making this happen. We could not have done it without your support!
👉Everything we do at Blue Heart is aimed at equipping young black men with the tools to be successful in Career, College and… LIFE!! We give them hope, belief and the confidence to be themselves!!
👉With 100% acceptance record, our program helps our young men prepare and get to their dream college… BUT…We need your help to keep them there!!!
“Building community equity by providing an inclusive and secure path to higher education, emotional wellness, and personal development for underserved male youth.”
The San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce and The Blue Heart Foundation took over 100 youth with chaperones and took a pic with Black Violins with a post performance Q&A… The Escondido Staff and Management made it a wonderful experience!
Wil B and Kev Marcus picked up the viola and violin in high school, where they first started playing together. They each went on to earn music degrees, separately, and linked back up after college to become Black Violin, a classical hip-hop duo. With live shows that include lights, a DJ and the musicians themselves encouraging the crowd to join them in their excitement for the music they create
We believe the importance of the Arts and Music are critical to our young men’s growth. It nurtures creative thought and helps children think outside the box. We had the opportunity to speak with both Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste after the show. The result for many was life changing.
Djarese Blevins would go on to say “I thought it was great how they (Black Violin) collaborated mixing hip hop and classical music” He would also say “it was overwhelmingly inspiring and how they didn’t buy into the sterotypes but used that to drive them towards where they are today; I would definitely see them again!”
The 3rd Annual” Brothas with Ties” was an engagement meant to teach, motivate and inspire the bright minds of young men in the City of San Diego. Ties were donated to all participants and each learned how to properly tie a tie (and or bowtie). San Diego Urban League Young Professionals want to extend leadership to provide development and a platform for a successful future. “Brothas with Ties” featured :
Interactive Workshops: Activity filled workshops on Social issues & other activities challenging students to think quick on their feet and learn from their peers.
Self Empowerment: By the end of the event, participants had a better understanding of how to manage and succeed in the real world.
Mentorship: The event is packed with interactions with Young Professionals and Community Leaders alike who have experience in their respective fields. Participants will also have the opportunity learn about past their mentors past experiences or inquire about what to expect becoming a young professional.
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Jordan Harrison- Director, College Town at Reality Changers
Trimaine Davis- Black Student Advocate & Social Justice Change Agent College Student Panel featuring: Thomas Hintza- Student African American Brotherhood, SDSU & Jeff McKennie- Black Student Union, San Diego Mesa College
To often in society, the focus is on athletic prowess or celebrity; not so much on focusing on the growth of the youth and celebrating their academic accomplishments. In this vein The Blue Heart Foundation held its 3rd Annual Signing Day and Awards Ceremony. The purpose of this dinner is to acknowledge the dedication and drive of the members of the Blue Heart Foundation’s mentoring program HEART (Higher Education And Rising Together) as they work to improve the quality of life of themselves as well as community.
As Blue Heart graduated their second class of seniors the feel was that one that created a sense of celebration as well as community. These young men are the driving force for many successful community clean-ups, programs and events. Blue Heart feels it’s very important to acknowledge these young men for their accomplishments. Cassandra Irving exclaimed “Our son has had the wonderful opportunity to be part of such a great experience, The Blue Heart Foundation Inc., has given him various opportunities to better himself, and in doing so has extended his perceptions of how much he can impact others as well as himself, by showing compassion for others’ lives, and experiences. He has always had words of encouragement to share with others, but his participation with Blue Heart has allowed actions as well.”
As the awards portion of the event began with the recognition from: – Ashley Campbell – Community Aide to Susan Davis, U.S. Representative for California’s 53rd congressional District – Stephanie R. Allen – Assistant to U.S. Representative for California’s 51st congressional district Juan Vargas and our great friend – Mathew Gordon – Community Representative for San Diego City Council President Myrtle Cole Mathew’s beautifully compelling presentation filled the room with appreciation and love.
Now we get to signing day … Where will the seniors be taking the next step in their academic journey? First was Dylon Renee Irving who committed to Morehouse College followed by Quincy Ferebee (Southwestern College) whom stated “When Tracy trusted me, I has no choice but to give 110 %. Next was Shamari Linton (CSU San Marcos) followed by Kai Miller (CSU San Marcos), Julien Juju Bean Moore (Fullerton College and concluding with Xavier Tillis (CSU San Marcos) whom said “I’m not done with Blue Heart and going to come back to mentor” I’m proud to be a member of The Blue Heart Foundation.” For more on The Blue Heart Foundation visit their website at theblueheartfoundation.org
April 29th at 6 AM on a chilly, early Saturday morning as HEART (Higher Education and Rising Together) rose to the challenge and volunteered to walk for babies… After raising money for March of Dimes, HEART also contributed throughout the day. Setting up tents, moving tables, carrying water and any other opportunities where we could lend a helping hand. As HEART Member Dylon Irving stated, “Volunteering benefits the community as it shows you support it and its people”.
When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to nearly half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies
After cheering on thousands of walkers including Blue Heart parents the entire BH Family continued to the second half of their purposeful day. One where they would take the time to get to know each other as family should, before sitting down to a delicious BBQ meal and after a rousing game of football with the boys… Each took the time to introduce themselves, in a large circle every family came to the center and spoke love and life from child to parent and vice versa. This was truly a community moment.
Tracy Morris (CEO of Blue Heart) would later say “I’m always amazed and inspired when the young men from HEART show up for volunteer service… After all how often do you see high school teens show up for volunteer work at 6 AM. There was not one complaint from over 30 teenage boys from 6 to 2 PM)
“All we have is each other and we have to constantly give back to our community, whether it’s money , time, or expertise. It’s the only way we will get better.” says HEART member Xavier Tillis … The Blue Heart Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 organization, find out how you can contribute or join us by contacting us via email at theblueheartfoundation@gmail.com
