College Scholar Fund and Program Initiative

In 2009, the MBCC established its college scholars fund to support future leaders in business.  In addition to the fund, the chamber began developing the College Scholars program initiative to address the issues that African American and other students of color face which contribute to their *high-risk of dropping out of college.  

The MBCC College Scholar Program will include mentoring, internship, tutoring, and financial assistance, targeting students that are interested in careers in business and entrepreneurship. In 2011, the chamber established its first collaborative partnership with the University YMCA through its Collegiate Achiever Program (Y-CAP) which focuses on college and career readiness and retention practices. The chamber will align its business members and constituents to offer summer internship, career mentoring, business education, exposure to business networking, and mentoring to the college students enrolled in the program.  The near term program goal is to hire a program coordinator, grow the scholars fund and the collaborative capacity to benefit 15 college students by 2015.

College Scholar Award Winners

Ms Octavia Cheatom

Most of my family has not completed post-secondary education and for me to be a part of the next generation to help create a future for us is a major step. I find it empowering...

Ms Lulete Mola

To me and my family, being in college means hope.  I have seen and gone through so much growing up, and college symbolizes hope for my family and I.  Now that I am here,
Stacks Image 722

Student News

Congratulations Octavia Cheatom …..
The National Student Exchange Program is a program similar to study abroad, but instead it allows students to experience a new environment within the United States. I chose to participate in the National Student Exchange at Louisiana State University because of there great Kinesiology program and to experience the unique culture of Louisiana. My journey to the bottom of the Mississippi River proved to be a great opportunity to network with my peers and professors, I was also able to take a hands on athletic training course that is currently not offered by the University of Minnesota. Although, I will always be a Gopher at heart, I thoroughly enjoyed my semester as a guest member of Tiger Nation! 
Octavia Cheatom

To donate to the College Scholars Fund, please mail check (in any amount) to:
Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Dorothy Richburg, Treasurer
2395 Ariel Street N, Suite A
St. Paul, Minnesota  55109
Make check payable to: MBCC

We hope to see you at the annual College Scholars Golf Classic on Monday, June 10, 2013
Proceeds support the development of the college scholars program and the financial assistance fund.
For more information, click on to the Event Calendar and Registration page.