Diversity University Summit 2026 Live
About this Event
College & Career Planning That Actually Makes Sense for Your Family
You know that feeling when someone finally explains something in a way that clicks? When the advice actually applies to your situation, your budget, your reality? That's what happens here. No admissions officer scripts or generic college prep talks - just real conversations with people who've walked your path and can show you the way forward.
For six incredible years, we've been pulling up chairs around our virtual kitchen table, helping BIPOC families navigate college admissions, scholarships, and campus life with the tea you won't get anywhere else. Fortunately, for the first time ever, we are bringing that same experience live and in-person in collaboration with the DuSable Black History Museum. This isn't another stuffy college presentation. This is your family's college and career planning session, led by people who look like you, understand your journey, and have the insider knowledge you need to succeed.
Here's What We're Covering
🔥 "The Hot Topic: Old School, New Rules"
Brunch with the OGs who navigated careers back in the late '90s and beyond. Hear how the paths they walked shaped where we are today, what still holds true, and what's changed entirely, so you can build your own path forward with a little more clarity and a lot more confidence.
📚 "Breaking Barriers: The BIPOC Guide to College Admissions"
First-generation? International student? We've got specific strategies that work for families like yours, not generic advice that assumes everyone starts from the same place.
⭐ "Alternative Careers: A Playbook for Careers Outside the Traditional Degree"
Not everyone's path runs through a 4-year degree. Hear directly from people who built thriving careers through trades, entrepreneurship, and self-directed paths, and get the practical roadmap nobody hands you when college isn't the only option on the table.
💸 "Money Moves: Scholarships, Savings, and Smart Spending"
Discover scholarships you've never heard of, learn how to make college affordable without drowning in debt, and get practical tips for covering those expenses nobody talks about.
🏫 Virtual College Fair with 20+ Diverse Institutions
Meet current students from Howard, Spelman, Yale, Cornell, NCAT, Columbia, and trade school programs who'll give you the unfiltered truth about their school.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
🎯 Built By Us, For Us
Created specifically for underrepresented students expecially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color families who are tired of one-size-fits-all college advice that doesn't fit our reality. We get it because we've lived it.
👨👩👧👦 The Whole Family Is Invited
College planning shouldn't be something you figure out alone. Parents, guardians, siblings, grandparents - everyone who's part of your support system belongs in this conversation.
💰 Real Money, Real Talk
No sugar-coating the costs or pretending financial aid is simple. We break down scholarships, savings strategies, and smart spending so your family can make informed decisions.
🎓 Peer-to-Peer Wisdom
Forget the admissions officers giving you the polished speech. Our college representatives are current students from HBCUs, PWIs, and trade school programs who will tell you what campus life is really like.
Your Family Deserves This Opportunity
✨ What You'll Walk Away With:
- A clear college application strategy tailored to BIPOC students
- A real look at paths beyond a 4-year degree
- Scholarship opportunities you can apply for immediately
- Financial planning tools that work for real family budgets
- A network of peers, mentors, and college representatives
- Confidence that your future is not just a dream - it's your plan
This Isn't Just Another Event
This is your family's breakthrough moment. The conversation that shifts everything from "maybe college is possible" or "I want to do something different" to "here's exactly how we're making it happen."
For six years, families have told us this event changed their entire approach to college and career planning. Parents have said they finally understood the process. Students have found their path forward. Families have discovered they had more options than they ever imagined.
Your breakthrough moment starts October 3rd. The question isn't whether you can afford to attend - it's whether you can afford to miss it.
Save Your Seat at Our Table
🗓️ Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00AM-6:00 PM CST / 8:00AM-4:00 PM PST / 11:00AM-7:00PM EST
💻 Where: DuSable DuSable Black History Museum
💰 Cost: FREE
👥 Who: Underrepresented and BIPOC high school students (grades 9-12) and their families
🏫 Meet Students Who Actually Look Like You
Tired of hearing about college from admissions officers who've never lived your experience? Our virtual college fair connects you directly with current BIPOC students who can tell you what it's really like on campus—the good, the challenging, and everything in between.
These aren't polished presentations. These are real conversations with students who navigated the same questions you're asking: How do you find your community? What's the social scene actually like? How do you handle being one of the few? What would you do differently?
Schools Represented by Current BIPOC Students:
- Ivy League: Yale University, Columbia University, Cornell University
- Top Private Universities: University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, Washington University in St. Louis, New York University
- Leading Public Universities: UCLA, UNC Chapel Hill, Virginia Tech
- HBCUs: North Carolina A&T State University, Howard University
- NEW!!! Trade & Technical Programs: HVAC certification program, cosmetology school, apprenticeship pipelines, and other alternative paths
- And more institutions representing the full spectrum of post-grad experiences
What You'll Get:
- Honest campus culture insights you won't find in brochures
- The truth about about academics, social life, and belonging
- Practical tips for thriving at different types of institutions
- Direct contact with student mentors for ongoing questions
- Representation matters - hear from students who've walked your path
This isn't about selling you on any particular school. It's about giving you the information you need to make the best choice for your future.
🎁 For the Culture Scholarship - $900 for BIPOC High School Seniors
How It Works: Every attending high school senior is automatically entered into our scholarship raffle during the event. We're giving away $900 to help cover those college expenses that financial aid doesn't always cover - dorm supplies, transportation, meal plans, textbooks, or whatever you need to succeed.
Key Requirements:
- Must be a BIPOC high school senior enrolled in a U.S. high school
- Must attend the summit on October 3rd (we track attendance throughout the event)
- Must apply on Bold.org after attending the summit (application link provided to verified attendees)
- Winner announcement: Selected from verified attendees who complete both steps
If You Win:
- Scholarship awarded: May 2027 (after post-grad commitment)
- Simple verification: Send us a photo in your college gear/colors and proof of enrollment
- No complicated essays or additional requirements
The Fine Print:
- One registration = one raffle entry (families with multiple seniors each get separate entries)
- Must be planning to attend any accredited institution of higher education (4-year, 2-year, trade school, etc.)
- Scholarship funds can be used for any college-related expenses
- Winner will be contacted via email and must respond within 7 days
This scholarship exists because we believe in putting our money where our mission is. College shouldn't be just a dream - it should be your reality.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
