Black College Success (BCS) is a transformative non-profit organization born in Los Angeles with a mission to help Black students from local high schools attend and graduate from top-tier colleges.
Through a combination of scholarships, mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement, BCS works hard to ensure that Black students not only make it to college but thrive in their educational journeys.
At the heart of the organization is its belief that every Black student has immense potential. BCS Executive Director Ibert Schultz shared, “It all starts with a student… How do we make sure that students, students from South Los Angeles, students from California, and ultimately students across this country, Black students, have the opportunity to achieve their wildest dreams?”
For Schultz and his team, Black College Success is a pathway to self-empowerment, providing the tools for students to break barriers and lead with purpose.
BCS is not just about getting students into college; it’s about ensuring they graduate with the skills, connections, and support they need to succeed in their careers. Schultz explained, “We support students at every stage of their journey… our goal is to make sure that we get you out of college. And we get you out of college into a high-demand career.”
One of the unique aspects of BCS is its focus on both the academic and personal growth of students. “We work with them during school time, we work hand in glove to get them into college,” said Schultz.
BCS partners with select high schools, sending college access managers to work directly with students. The process is community-driven, with professionals from the community, many of whom have college degrees themselves, guiding students through the application and enrollment process.
BCS’s commitment to supporting Black students doesn’t stop once they are accepted into college. The organization ensures that students are equipped for long-term success, providing ongoing mentorship, academic support, and access to professional networks. With over 540 students attending more than 80 colleges and universities across the U.S., including Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale, BCS is making an impact at every level of the educational system.
One of the standout features of BCS’s work is its focus on ensuring students attend top 100 colleges. “We work with our young people to kind of imagine themselves in places that they probably didn’t necessarily imagine they would,” Shultz said.
BCS doesn’t just help students go to college; it helps them aim high, pushing them to apply to elite institutions where they can access world-class education and opportunities. “We’ve had students who weren’t going to apply to college, but after working with our college access managers, they not only got into schools, but got presidential scholarships,” Schultz proudly shared.
But the challenges Black students face are ever-evolving, especially in light of recent changes in the higher education landscape. “Mental health is a big challenge for our young people,” Shultz notes, acknowledging the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted traditional schooling and left students struggling socially and emotionally. BCS addresses these challenges head-on, providing emotional and logistical support to students while they navigate their college careers.
In addition to mental health concerns, Schultz and BCS are grappling with the implications of the 2023 SCOTUS ruling that affected race-based admissions. “What I worry about most is the impact not just of the rollback of affirmative action… but how it impacts my identity and my education,” Schultz said.
Despite these challenges, Schultz is determined to continue pushing for greater access and support for Black students.
Looking ahead, BCS is expanding its efforts through the Futures Project, a workforce development initiative aimed at bridging the gap between education and career.
“We help you get out of college, we help you launch into a career,” Schultz explained. The Futures Project focuses on certifications, internships, and job placements, ensuring that students are not only prepared academically but also ready to step into high-demand careers. As Schultz put it, “It’s about making sure that our young scholars can enter the workforce and be leaders within their area.”
Through this holistic approach, Black College Success is not just changing lives—it’s transforming communities. As Schultz said, “When people find out what we do, they’re ecstatic,” and the impact of BCS is felt far beyond the classroom. By equipping students with the tools they need to excel academically and professionally, BCS is helping create a brighter future for Black students and empowering them to lead purposefully.
Check out the full interview.
For more information about Black College Success and how you can support their mission, visit their website.
