BeyGOOD funds HBCU prep camp

Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Camp HBCYouth, a summer program that prepares elementary students for attendance at historically Black colleges and universities. The funding supports a seven-week introductory course for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The camp operates in partnership with five institutions: Spelman College, Tennessee State University, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morgan State University. Founders Reagan Fresnel and Brian Wright, both alumni of HBCUs, currently serve approximately 2,000 students. The organization plans to expand its network to include Texas Southern University.

Fresnel thanked Beyoncé, her mother Tina Knowles, and the BeyGOOD family in a social media announcement. "Your grant helps us put more children on HBCU campuses, hire more HBCU students, and keep camp within reach for the families who need it most," she wrote.

The curriculum combines education, wellness, arts, and sports. Specific instructional areas include literacy, reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem-solving, and STEAM. BeyGOOD noted that 95% of campers express a strong interest in attending an HBCU after completing the program.

Early enrollment for the upcoming session begins on November 9. The program aims to introduce young students to higher education possibilities while fostering creativity and personal growth through a structured summer experience.