A local nonprofit called A Bettr
Chance for Youth's Future is working to
get more students and to historically
black colleges and universities.
And now they're hoping to get yr
support so scholars can go to te
battle of the bands and Houston.
Well, joining me this morning
is Monique Roberts Robinson.
She is the CEO of the foundatioo
talk about her work and her mis.
Good morning, Monique.
Thanks for joining us. Good mor.
Thank you for having me. Yes.
Well, we were sitting here chat,
and I was sharing with Monique
that I'm a former teacher and l,
that she's supporting our kids.
You know, talk about. I know.
You're you're kind of from all ,
but you're here in San Antonio
supporting our kids.
You know, what are the needs
that you're seeing right now?
There's a big need on various levels.
There's a need of support for students
and scholars that want to attend school.
But then there's also a need of education
because a lot of people don't kw
about the ins and outs of historically
black colleges and universities.
They know the acronyms.
They know the bands.
But they don't know the
scholarships that are available.
They don't know the programs,
and they don't even know the adt
programs because some of them he
adult programs and scholarships.
Non traditional students.
Well, and while we're talking a,
you know, non traditional,
but a lot of these students are
first generation college studen.
Correct. And they don't know
how to navigate that world.
And you know, as a former couns,
I know it's a challenge just fo,
but to see kids go through it
and families and you're there to
consult and support them, talk t
that. Yes, we consult and
educate the whole family,
all of our events that we do,
whether in San Antonio where they're virtual.
Is family based centered becauss
you said there are a lot of first Gen.
scholars and with first Gen.
and things that are changing ine
educational rim such as this year in October,
the FASFA is changing and if our scholars
don't know then that can exit tm
out of potential monies for sch.
So that's a big a big thing.
So education is really important for us
and I think it's so important
that it's not just students,
it's scholars, they've already,
you know, it's almost. They've already,
you know reached that elite stas
and that success can only get bigger.
Right. Correct.
Correct. And I I don't like using the
term student because it's not tt
it's a negative thing but if wel
them who they are they'll become that.
Yeah. So that's why you scholar
and that's such an inspiration d
and Monique you were just sharig
with me real real quick tidbit t
one of your students scholars aI
love this because you know we dt
get to hear all the the personal
stories of success and you weret
telling me about a young lady who is.
Yes, she is headed to Morgan
State on a gymnastics scholarsh.
She had to even educate me because I thought
tumbling and everything was the same.
But I was like nobody talked
to you about this and it.
I get more excited than the schs
and we had a send off a couple f
weeks ago where we highlighted l
the scholars from San Antonio hd
to HBCU for their first time an.
The love from the community,
we had it at the Carver libraryd
just to see the excitement and e
games and the family interactin,
it was just overwhelming.
Even though I did sleep the
next day like I was tired,
maybe just a little bit. But its
worth it and we do it year roun.
We go from August to July every
year and the send off is usually
our last event that we do.
We work with several HBCU alum
to get that done. So it's.
Is really rewarding and this
is our third year doing
it. I love that in the celebration of all
the their hard work is coming together.
Well, money before we run out of time.
You are trying to get our support to help
send these kids to Houston because it's
a battle of the bands happening there.
It's amazing show,
but talk about how people and watching
can help this morning. Well there are
various ways that people can he.
They can go to our website and
they can donate through there.
Or they can just purchase a tict
and get on the bus and join us.
What we want to do is create a
educators educational base becae
if you don't know and you havent
seen then you'll never know.
So we create spaces where we can
learn about HBCU's and they can
get the culture then I think.
It'll build the brand.
Yeah. I think it's fabulous.
And anyone wants to volunteer o,
you know, help our scholars,
they reach out to you.
We have a link on our website
right now with how you can help.
Monique, thanks so much for joining us.
And thank you so much for suppog
our youth here in San Antonio.
Thank you for having me.
All right, we're going to
take a break real quick.
But first, we're going to take a
live look outside at our roadwa.
If you're heading out this morn,
looks like you got smooth saili.
We'll see you after the break.