Anthony Bynum is starting his freshman year at Harvard University this fall to study Aerospace Engineering. Getting accepted to an Ivy League school is no small feat, but Bynum says he had the confidence and resources to make it happen thanks to the Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program at Coastal Community Foundation (CCF).
“The Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program has only strengthened my perspective on higher education,” he said. “It helped me recognize that college is not a dream but a close reality I need to grab hold of.”
Named in honor of the late Reverend Clementa Pinckney, who was slain in the 2015 Emanuel AME Church Massacre, this program has become a transformative force for 204 students to date, helping them navigate the challenging path to higher education by addressing the significant gaps in college access to students from underserved communities.
Senior Director of Scholarships and Programs Caroline Rakar said in the early days of the Rev. Pinckney Scholarship Program, CCF staff noticed there was a need for more resources throughout the college application process.
“Our students are coming from rural counties, they’re coming from under-resourced schools, and a lot of them are also first-generation college students,” she said. “We realized that there was an opportunity to help students earlier on and ensure that they were getting the most out of their college exploration experience.”
The program, initially designed to financially support students through college, was expanded to include a college readiness component, thanks to an additional gift from the original donors. This expansion was crucial in providing students with additional tools and resources they needed to navigate the entire process of selecting and applying for colleges, and to succeed in their journey thereafter.
One of the most distinctive features of the Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program is the individualized support that students receive. Through one-on-one meetings with student success managers, workshops, and college tours, students are given the opportunity to explore different options for higher education and find the one that is the best fit for them—academically, financially, and culturally.
Once students complete the College Readiness Program, they become eligible for the Scholarship Program which supports students with professional development, network-building, coaching, and a scholarship, among other things. The Pinckney Programs’ holistic approach ensures that students are not only prepared to enter college but are also equipped to thrive once they are there.
When Anthony began researching and applying to colleges, attending Harvard became a reality thanks to the one-on-one meetings with his college success manager.
“It was a chance for me to talk to her not only about my progress in applying for colleges and scholarships but also my extracurriculars and personal life. Hearing what she had to say kept me in the right direction,” he said. Beyond academic support, the Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program fosters a deep sense of community and belonging among its participants, helping students feel connected to something larger than themselves.
In July, 32 students in the program, known as Visionaries, went on a college tour to Atlanta, where they had the opportunity to visit multiple campuses. This experience was more than just a chance to see potential schools; it was an opportunity for students to build relationships with peers and grow in a safe and welcoming environment.
“We found that while students got the hands-on experiences of seeing college campuses and figuring out what they like and didn’t like of different colleges, they also got to build community with each other.” Rakar said. “They got to surround themselves with students who look like them, and who come from similar backgrounds, and have similar aspirations. We found that byproduct to be really valuable for the students.”
The Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program is a living tribute to Reverend Pinckney’s vision and values. “Reverend Pinckney’s faith and demonstration of love to everyone is very inspiring,” Bynum said. “He showed me that he truly cares about humanity and their salvation. It is very unfortunate what happened to him, and his memory will forever be known by me and many others.”
As the program approaches its 10th anniversary, the impact it has had on students like Anthony is clear. Of those who completed the College Readiness program and became Pinckney Scholars, 88% completed college within six years, with most finishing in four. That’s compared to 42% of Black students and 61% of all students nationally. Visionaries who complete the program enter adulthood with financial literacy training, job interview practice, study skills, mentors, a college experience that is the best fit for them, and a practical plan to pay for it.
“The results of the Pinckney Programs are noteworthy—students are feeling confident in selecting colleges, they’re graduating above the national average and with less debt, and they’re part of a community that was built by them and for them. We are proud to be building up the next generation of Black excellence,” Rakar shared.
Applications for the next cohort of the Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program are open now and run through October 4, 2024.
