The Kalamazoo Promise, the city‑wide scholarship that guarantees free college tuition for graduates of Kalamazoo public high schools, announced a major expansion. Beginning with students who graduate in the fall of 2027, the program will also cover tuition at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This marks the first time in the program’s more than 20‑year history that HBCUs are included.
Why the Expansion Matters
For many families in Kalamazoo, the cost of out‑of‑state tuition has been a barrier to attending HBCUs, institutions that offer a unique cultural and academic environment for Black students. Brooklyn Gardner, a senior at Kalamazoo Central High School, said she has dreamed of attending an HBCU since middle school but the price kept the goal out of reach.
Family Voices
Brooklyn’s father, Ajamian Gardner, who serves as principal at Kalamazoo Phoenix High School, explained that discussions about adding HBCUs to the Promise have been ongoing for as long as the program has existed. “So the Promise is 20 years old. Right? A little over 20 years old. So 20 years,” he said.
Brooklyn added, “Just being around my culture. My people. Something I haven’t been able to experience. I think at HBCUs, it’s a different type of feel. You’re at an institution that was for Black people and by Black people. It gives us a chance to see a different side of our culture.” She also noted that even though Kalamazoo Central is predominantly Black, attending an HBCU would expose her to a broader cultural experience.
School Leaders Support the Move
Valerie Boggan, principal of Kalamazoo Central, emphasized that the expansion is about more than financial access. “What we do know is you cannot be what you cannot see. The Promise has afforded our students the ability to see the world from a different vantage point,” she said.
Brooklyn’s mother, Keisha Gardner, described the announcement as “literally our prayers being answered.” The family sees the new benefit as a tangible expression of community support for higher‑education aspirations.
How the Promise Works
The Promise’s core promise remains simple: graduate from a Kalamazoo public high school and college tuition is covered. With the HBCU addition, eligible students will be able to apply the scholarship to any accredited HBCU that meets the program’s eligibility criteria. The expansion does not alter the existing coverage for public and private four‑year institutions; it simply adds a new category of schools to the list of qualifying options.
Impact on the Community
Local educators and community leaders view the change as a boost to both educational outcomes and cultural enrichment. By opening pathways to HBCUs, the Promise helps preserve the tradition of strong family values and faith‑based community support while expanding individual liberty for students to choose the college that best fits their identity and goals.
As the first cohort of HBCU‑bound Promise scholars prepares to graduate in 2027, the program stands as a testament to Kalamazoo’s commitment to providing every student with the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial burden.
Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.
