Black Male College Explorers begin 20th year

Toran Davis, 18, said he is looking forward to making his mark in the FAMU Black Male College Explorers Program this summer.

Davis, a senior at FAMU Developmental Research School, recently embarked on his third consecutive year with the program that is intended to prevent black males from dropping out of high school.

“I want to be an example for others and show people that you can make a difference,” said Davis.

The Black Male College Explorers Program, which is in its 20th year, is an at-risk prevention/intervention program designed specifically for middle and high schools from Tallahassee and major cities all over Florida. Participating schools are asked to identify at-risk males enrolled in grades 7 through 11.

Montelleo Hobley, 16, a Tampa native, said the program gives him a better understanding of college and he appreciates the time and dedication the counselors put into the program.

“You can tell the people really care about us,” said Hobley, who admitted he was hesitant to participate in the camp last year, but was thrilled to know he was attending this summer. “If they didn’t care for us, they wouldn’t put in the time.”

FAMU provides six weeks of highly concentrated developmental experiences, which includes weekly seminars, workshops and motivational trips during the summer. This year, 54 students were admitted into the program.

“We have an excellent group of young men,” said Arecia Shelton-Martin, lead instructor for the Black Male Explorers Program. “This program provides them an opportunity to know that they are supported in a world where they are often discarded. I hope they take away the knowledge of knowing that they are worthy of all that life has to offer.”