13 Feb Scholars and Leaders: Brandon Gamble
Scholars and Leaders, is a series featuring students in programs led by LA Promise Fund (LAPF). LA Promise Fund is a nonprofit education management organization that prepares students for success in college, career and life through a network of high-performing, community-based schools and a portfolio of programs, like Black College Success. Black College Success (BCS), a project of LAPF, is committed to increasing opportunities through college access and success for Black high school students in South Los Angeles.
A high school senior at Hamilton High School, Brandon Gamble has seen first hand the benefits of BCS. “BCS is more than just a regular college support program, they’re like a guardian angel,” rejoiced Brandon.
Brandon was looking forward to his first day on campus at Morehouse College but instead was given a tuition bill to cover unforeseen expenses. Unable to cover the costs, Brandon had made plans to return home to Los Angeles and delay his class registration to the private historically Black men’s liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia.
“I called the BCS team to let them know that I was going to go back home to Los Angeles because as a family we don’t have that amount of money readily available. But BCS wouldn’t let this be the end of my journey and my dream of attending Morehouse College. Because of their partnerships, they helped facilitate an immediate scholarship to close the financial gap. Without their help–and continued support–I would have been back on a plane to California hating every minute. But because of BCS I am able to stay at Morehouse and start my journey to becoming a Morehouse MAN,” beamed Brandon.
BCS’ vision is to make sure that Black high school students in South Los Angeles can attend the colleges or universities of their choice, thrive, graduate and enter professional careers. Black College Success does this by partnering with select universities and provides academic and senior planning, financial aid and college transition and success support for students until they graduate. Currently, BCS is offered at nine schools located in the South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z) including Centennial High School, Crenshaw High School, Hamilton High School, The Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES), Manual Arts Sr High School, New Designs Charter High School, Mann UCLA Community School, ICEF View Park Preparatory High School and Westbrook High School. If you are interested in becoming a partner, please email BCS Executive Director Ibert Schultz at bcs@lapromisefund. To stay updated on the latest with BCS be sure to follow them on Instagram at @_blackcollegesuccess.
By Kelisha Gonzales
