About HBCA
HBCA was founded in 1992 by a group of concerned citizens many of whom were HBCU alumni and employed in and around New London, CT. When they learned many students were not aware of the existence of HBCUs that set out on a journey to promote HBCUs. HBCA was formed with the goal to promote higher education with an emphasis on HBCUs. Members are volunteers and dedicate their time to serve the community. Our most popular activity is the annual historically black college tour conducted each year during NLHS Spring break in April. In addition to the tour we conduct a financial aid workshop and local college seminar. All students are welcome to participate. HBCA also distributes a scholarship to a graduating high school senior.
Comedy Show Fundraiser
Back by popular demand! We're hosting our 2nd annual Comedy Show fundraiser. Last year was a blast. Good clean comedy. Everyone loved the show and the positive atmosphere. It was our largest fundraising event since our existence. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen. We're looking to do it again.
Go to link to donate or purchase tickets https://www.funny4funds.com/events/hbca-annual-fundraiser/1538
Here is a link to photos from last year:
https://link.shutterfly.com/QCAYTIkEXKb
Go to link to donate or purchase tickets https://www.funny4funds.com/events/hbca-annual-fundraiser/1538
Here is a link to photos from last year:
https://link.shutterfly.com/QCAYTIkEXKb
2025 College Tour
The 2025 college tour is our 31st tour. This tour will include visits to Cheyney State University, Villanova University, Howard University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Delaware State University. We departed from New London High School, New London, CT on April 14 and returned on April 18, 2025. The fee was $295 for residents of New London County and $345 all others. Click here for more details.
Alumna of the Month
Dr. Tempestt Evans grew up in Groton, CT and graduated from Robert E. Fitch Senior High School in 2005. She attended the college tour in 2003 and 2004 where she was introduced to Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She then went on to attend Winston-Salem State University where she majored in Biology. Upon graduation she completed a post-baccalaureate program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She then completed her dental school training at the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry. Tempestt completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program at Winslow Indian Health Care Center in Arizona. From 2019-2023 she worked as the Chief Dental Officer at the Indian Health Service - Mashpee Wampanoag Family Dental Clinic in Mashpee, MA. She currently works as an associate dentist at Carver Smiles in Carver, MA. We are proud to present her as the alumna of the month.
Program Video
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HBCA has taken thousands of students to tour historically black colleges and universities. Most of whom have never been on a college campus or even knew that HBCUs existed. Living in the New London area limits their exposure to HBCUs and we think it's important for all students, especially those of African descent, to be aware of the existence of these institutions.
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Justin Morrill Scholarship
The Justin Morrill scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors planning to continue their education at an institution of higher learning. The award amount and number of recipients is based on HBCA's available funds with a minimum of one recipient and award amount of $500. This scholarship is named after an American politician who represented Vermont in the US House of Representatives (1855-1867) and US Senate (1867–1898). He is most widely remembered for the Morrill Land-Grant Act that provided federal funding for establishing many of the United States' public colleges and universities. Get the application here (one application for both scholarships).
2022 Award Recipients ($1,000.00 each)
Tiana L. Smith, UCONN
Roodley Merilo, University of Hartford
Snadoody Robert, Mitchell College
Nahomi Labajos, UCONN
Jaiden H. mills, UCONN
Amanda Stansberry, Three Rivers CC
2023 Award Recipient ($500.00)
2022 Award Recipients ($1,000.00 each)
Tiana L. Smith, UCONN
Roodley Merilo, University of Hartford
Snadoody Robert, Mitchell College
Nahomi Labajos, UCONN
Jaiden H. mills, UCONN
Amanda Stansberry, Three Rivers CC
2023 Award Recipient ($500.00)
Kmara Royster is a scholar-athlete and graduate of New London High School Multi-Magnet Campus with plans of attending Parsons School of Design at The New School, in New York City. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in fashion design. Kmara states that she is a strong, influential role model. She has been invited to speak to peers and incoming youth about achieving and maintaining good grades while being a three-sport athlete. While she excels in academics and athletics, her passion is in the arts. HBCA wish her much success in her future endeavors.
2024 Award Recipient, $1,000.00
Shauna Jean-Francois, a graduate of New London High School Multi-Magnet Campus and is attending the University of Connecticut majoring in Pharmaceutical Science. She plans to bring a more holistic approach to the field of medicine.
2024 Award Recipient, $1,000.00
Shauna Jean-Francois, a graduate of New London High School Multi-Magnet Campus and is attending the University of Connecticut majoring in Pharmaceutical Science. She plans to bring a more holistic approach to the field of medicine.
Scarangella Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by Dr. Stephen and Mrs Angela Scarangella and this year the scholarship will honor Bob Taylor who was a proud graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he starred for the football team. His teammates on that team included the great Emerson Boozer, starting half back for the 1968 Super Bowl champion New York Jets, NFL hall of famer Art Shell, and " the Big Man", Clarence Clemons, legendary sax player with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
After graduation, Bob played for the New York Giants when they were a championship team, playing alongside legends Andy Robistelli and Rosie Grier on the defensive line. He completed his career in the Canadian Football League, leading the Toronto Arogonauts to the Gray Cup, their Super Bowl.
A born leader, he returned to Maryland Eastern Shore as head football coach. Bob was an amazing and accomplished athlete. His greatest qualities were his love and devotion for his beautiful daughter for whom he would do and did everything for. She is an Emergency Room physician.
Bob also was a man who loved and inspired children, was a loyal and loving friend to all who were blessed to know him. Humility, humanity and compassion were Bob's greatest gifts, and he was a gift to all who he touched.
2022 Award Recipient, $1,500.00
Isaac Pena, UCONN
2023 Award Recipient, $2,000.00
After graduation, Bob played for the New York Giants when they were a championship team, playing alongside legends Andy Robistelli and Rosie Grier on the defensive line. He completed his career in the Canadian Football League, leading the Toronto Arogonauts to the Gray Cup, their Super Bowl.
A born leader, he returned to Maryland Eastern Shore as head football coach. Bob was an amazing and accomplished athlete. His greatest qualities were his love and devotion for his beautiful daughter for whom he would do and did everything for. She is an Emergency Room physician.
Bob also was a man who loved and inspired children, was a loyal and loving friend to all who were blessed to know him. Humility, humanity and compassion were Bob's greatest gifts, and he was a gift to all who he touched.
2022 Award Recipient, $1,500.00
Isaac Pena, UCONN
2023 Award Recipient, $2,000.00
Jah’Nyah Maddox-Williams, pictured left with donors Dr. Stephen and Mrs Angela Scarangella, is a graduate of New London High School with plans of attending Clark Atlanta University to major in Business Administration. Her vision of success is based on the idea of using her skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on her community. She hope to one day be able to create jobs and economic opportunities for people in her community. HBCA and the Scarengellas wish her much success in her future endeavors.
2024 Award Recipient, $2,000.00
Jayla Taylor, a graduate of New London High School and is attending Howard University. She intends to major in Mathematics. Her scholarship was in honor of the doctor's friend, Richard Caster, who was a proud graduate of Jackson State University. He graduated with a degree in mathematics while starring on the football team. He was the first pick in the NFL draft by the New York Jets and was the favorite target of Joe Namath. Richard is a member of the Jackson State Hall of Fame.
2024 Award Recipient, $2,000.00
Jayla Taylor, a graduate of New London High School and is attending Howard University. She intends to major in Mathematics. Her scholarship was in honor of the doctor's friend, Richard Caster, who was a proud graduate of Jackson State University. He graduated with a degree in mathematics while starring on the football team. He was the first pick in the NFL draft by the New York Jets and was the favorite target of Joe Namath. Richard is a member of the Jackson State Hall of Fame.
Contributors
2025
Attorney Sarette Williams
Mrs. Laurelle Texidor
Jean Jordan-NAACP
Melody Davis
RayRay Thomas
Lonnie Braxton
Liz Duarte
Debbie & Pete
NLHS Multi-Magnet Campus
New London Public Schools
UCONN Upward Bound
see complete list on our Newsletter
2024
NAACP Norwich Branch
NAACP New London Branch
NLHS Multi-Magnet Campus
New London Public Schools
Bodenwein Benevolent Public Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
Kitchings Family Foundation
Attorney Sarette Williams
Mrs. Laurelle Texidor
State Rep Durelle Wilson
State Rep Anthony Nolan
Bryan Mahon
George Bryant
Jean Jordan
and many others
2023
Charter Oak Credit Union
NAACP Norwich Branch
NLHS Multi-Magnet Campus
4Imprint Onebyone
Attorney Sarette Williams
Keith Fowler
Attorney Sarette Williams
Mrs. Laurelle Texidor
Jean Jordan-NAACP
Melody Davis
RayRay Thomas
Lonnie Braxton
Liz Duarte
Debbie & Pete
NLHS Multi-Magnet Campus
New London Public Schools
UCONN Upward Bound
see complete list on our Newsletter
2024
NAACP Norwich Branch
NAACP New London Branch
NLHS Multi-Magnet Campus
New London Public Schools
Bodenwein Benevolent Public Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
Kitchings Family Foundation
Attorney Sarette Williams
Mrs. Laurelle Texidor
State Rep Durelle Wilson
State Rep Anthony Nolan
Bryan Mahon
George Bryant
Jean Jordan
and many others
2023
Charter Oak Credit Union
NAACP Norwich Branch
NLHS Multi-Magnet Campus
4Imprint Onebyone
Attorney Sarette Williams
Keith Fowler
Misconceptions about HBCA & HBCUs
Only African Americans can attend the College tour
This is not true. The tour and all programs are open to all students regardless of race, creed or color. Our members do not discriminate. Students of all nationalities has participated in past programs.
The tour is too exclusive because we only visit HBCUs
HBCA was formed after founding members discovered NLHS and NFA was not promoting HBCUs. Both schools did not have HBCU catalogs in their college library. Many students at the time was unaware of the existence of HBCUs. As of 2015, the tour schedule has included at least one predominately white institution (PWI).
A random sample of a select number of HBCUs and TWUs revealed the following statistics:
Average percentage of African American students at HBCUs: 85%
Average percentage of Caucasian American students at HBCUs: 8%
Average percentage of African American students at a PWI: 6%
Average percentage of Caucasian American students at a PWI: 73%
This is not true. The tour and all programs are open to all students regardless of race, creed or color. Our members do not discriminate. Students of all nationalities has participated in past programs.
The tour is too exclusive because we only visit HBCUs
HBCA was formed after founding members discovered NLHS and NFA was not promoting HBCUs. Both schools did not have HBCU catalogs in their college library. Many students at the time was unaware of the existence of HBCUs. As of 2015, the tour schedule has included at least one predominately white institution (PWI).
A random sample of a select number of HBCUs and TWUs revealed the following statistics:
Average percentage of African American students at HBCUs: 85%
Average percentage of Caucasian American students at HBCUs: 8%
Average percentage of African American students at a PWI: 6%
Average percentage of Caucasian American students at a PWI: 73%