By Crystal Tysinger (Mass Communication).

Project Green is an independent volunteer social action promoting, inspiring and connecting students of Historically Black colleges. At times people look down on Black colleges and don’t realize how important they are to our community. Sometimes we – the students at HBCUs – ourselves underestimate our capabilities… I created Project Green to showcase the stories of those who pursue their dreams at HBCUs. 

 

Why “Project Green”? Because green is the color of hope, the color of a fresh start, the color of opportunity! It started with a poem I wrote for my fellow students:

What does green represent? 

The rush of the wind? 

The life in a tree? 

A blessing in descent? 

Or a soul that is freed? 

We see it as the color of opportunity 

The aspirations we chase after

It’s what drives us to be extraordinary 

What motivates us to take that extra step

To be the best versions of ourselves

It’s what makes each human an individual 

The color green is its own individual 

It represents freedom 

The color of hope

The color we don’t notice but always seem to need

The color of decisions

Whether or not to go after what we want 

So the next time you spot this color 

See it as opportunity 

As a sign to keep moving 

To never cease 

After all......

The light is green.  

 

 

As I was writing my poem to post it online, I also decided to find students who were “representing the color green”. So, I asked my connections on social media, who are current HBCU students, about their experiences. These are their voices:                    

“I wanted to go to an HBCU because of the culture of marching band. I was a music major in high school and wanted to gain the college experience of being in a marching band at an HBCU.”

“I chose an HBCU because I want to support the community and there is a brotherhood/sisterhood that is unseen.”

“I chose an HBCU because it is an experience you won’t get anywhere else.”

“I decided to attend an HBCU because after years of being in schools where being black was a rarity, and then graduating from a predominately black high school, I wanted to keep the culture shock going by attending a college with the same atmosphere.”

 

“I’ve gained so much experience at my school. I’m the head drum major for my university’s marching band, I’ve become a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity Inc., a member of Order of Omega Greek Leadership Honors Society, and I found my girlfriend at NSU as well.”

“I want to gain my degree in music education minor in dance and make connections with people for the future.”

“The main thing I gained in college was humility with my gifts and as a person. I also gained an even stronger love for my race.”

“My HBCU experience was a head rush lol. I had my first adult relationship where I learned a lot about myself and the things I need to work on as well as my strengths in my love life. The band taught me discipline and humility which I career deeply in my career, and I gained an understanding of the real value of college in the professional musician arena. “

 

“It’s always a challenge going deeper into your subject’s field, but in order for us to grow and learn something we have to be challenged, my classes weren’t impossible to pass but I struggled a little.”

“I’m very challenged in my major but its only to make me better.”

“My education can be challenging at times, but I’ve learned to take thorough notes to help me study. I’m getting ready to graduate soon, so my classes are harder than many of my cohorts. I’ve learned to ask frequent questions and study my notes whenever I have difficulty with a subject. The professors also respond to their emails pretty quickly if any students have any questions or need any additional assistance.”

“My HBCU experience was just like being home with thousands of siblings; classes were no different than anything I had experienced beforehand. As it pertains to my major (Interdisciplinary Studies of Elementary Education) I’m challenged to go beyond what I’ve accomplished in my past.”

Project Green is a viral encouragement for HBCU students to chase after their dreams, it shows that it’s not about which institution you go to but what you do in the environment that you’re in. My fellow HBCU students are going GREEN!!