Florida Memorial University February 7, 2014 AT&T DONATES $90,000 TO FMU PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK BLACK MALE YOUTH Florida Memorial University has received a $90,000 donation from AT&T that will increase the enrollment in its popular mentoring program for at-risk black males in Miami's middle- and high-school students. Administrators with the FMU Black Male College Explorers program announced the award on Friday, saying the award means more youth will be steered from delinquency to a path toward success. In its 20th year, the program has a 100 percent high school graduation success rate - meaning all males who complete the program successfully finish high school, and enroll in college, said director Shawn Davis. FMU President Roslyn Clark Artis said the AT&T donation will allow more Miami students to enroll, and further diversify the rich types of educational and life enhancing experiences. "This program opens up the world to these young men," said Artis. "This is part of Florida Memorial's mission. We want our youth to thrive - not just survive." Black Male College Explorers is an at-risk intervention program designed specifically for black males in grades 7 through 12. A team of school and community leaders provides supportive services for the students during the regular school year. Florida Memorial University provides six weeks of highly concentrated developmental experiences during the summer while students live on campus, and take courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The students also participate in personal growth and developmental activities in weekly seminars and workshops and field trips. The intensive summer program averages 40 to 50 students, said Kareem Coney, Artis' special assistant and former program director. "Our goal is to increase the number of black males in college [and] get them the exposure they need to matriculate through college and beat the odds. For more information about the Black Male Explorers Program at FMU, call Davis at 305-626-3163 SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.