Watch: Pathways to College Opens the Door to Opportunity

All school year, Pathways teachers are coached to inspire and encourage Scholars toward preparation for success in college and in life. While this mentoring and skill-building typically takes place close to home, we all look forward to our College and Cultural Trips.

We see so much growth from our Scholars as they broaden their horizons. Take a peek into this component of our after-school program in this video.

During the trips, Scholars make new friends and demonstrate so many of the life skills and habits that we have always focused on, such as leadership, communication, and planning. They lead tours on-site and present capstone projects afterward, to share their experiences with Scholars in other regions.

Scholars visited the following:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

  • Chicago State University
  • Howard University
  • LeMoyne-Owen College

Other Higher Education Institutions

  • American University
  • Georgetown University
  • The George Washington University
  • The University of Chicago
  • University of Memphis

Cultural Sites – Chicago, IL

  • DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
  • Hyde Park: bike riding to see the homes of President Obama, Muhammad Ali, and Louis Farrakhan; and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters
  • Obama Presidential Library (future site)
  • Promontory Point
  • Valois Restaurant (historic Hyde Park restaurant)
  • In addition, Scholars learned about the Million Man March.

Cultural Sites – Memphis, TN

  • B.B. King’s Blues Club
  • Beale Street
  • Clayborne Temple
  • The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant
  • I AM A MAN Plaza
  • Main Event Entertainment  for team-building
  • Mason Temple Church of God in Christ
  • National Civil Rights Museum
  • Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum
  • Stax Museum of American Soul Music
  • WDIA Radio Station

Cultural Sites – Washington, DC

  • Ben’s Chili Bowl, where Scholars discussed entrepreneurship, perseverance, and resilience with Kamal Ali, co-owner and son of founders Ben and Virginia Ali
  • DC Monuments and Memorials
  • Howard University Hospital, where Scholars learned from Dr. Kakra Hughes, tenured professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture including lunch at the museum’s Sweet Home Cafe