"Think. Learn to think. Learn to control your thoughts because negative thoughts will keep on coming. Learn to cast them out. Think positively. You cannot think basement and live in the attic. You get what you expect; your thoughts matter."
-Carl Ray
A Tribute to Carl Ray
Thank you for all you have done for my kids. …. have grown to be so successful. Special thanks to you, and HBCU!
Ms. Butcher
When I was a teacher in San Francisco, I brought ten students and we joined Bro. Carl to attend Homecoming at Tuskegee and toured other universities. As a result of that trip 7 out of 10 students ended up attending HBCUs. Give thanks to Bro. Carl. He is a living legend!
Mr. Chatmon
I was a rising senior in high school when I first rode a plane, left the state and visited a university campus. I remember my mind racing, full of questions of optimism and possibilities as we crossed state lines.
As a youth who was raised in the foster- care system, I hadn’t experienced many life altering achievements that would propel me forward, however, after this trip my perspective of what I wanted in life and how I was going to achieve it shifted and ultimately led to…Bennett College located in Greensboro, NC.
I am most grateful for being afforded the prestigious opportunity because ultimately this was the foundation of my success today-
As a youth who was raised in the foster- care system, I hadn’t experienced many life altering achievements that would propel me forward, however, after this trip my perspective of what I wanted in life and how I was going to achieve it shifted and ultimately led to…Bennett College located in Greensboro, NC.
I am most grateful for being afforded the prestigious opportunity because ultimately this was the foundation of my success today-
Delrisha
Thank you for allowing me to go on the HBCU tour. This trip was really eye opening and a learning experience for me. Touring all the great schools gave me a new prospective on how successful Black men and women should be. This trip really boosted and motivated me to be excited for my future college life. As well as Spelman…whoo!
Keilan
I am probably one of the only students that went on the tour multiple times. What stood out the most to me was seeing so many African American students in one place who were all doing something positive and enjoying themselves at the same time.
There was a strong sense of unity and pride that was evident in the atmosphere: Seeing the different fraternities and sororities that were very visible on the different campuses. The Tuskegee University football game with the Battle of the Bands was unlike anything I had ever seen before.
I attended Prairie View A&M University, earning two degrees. I am currently employed as a Systems/Component Lead Engineer.
Kenyon
God gives gifts, like talents in parables, and in his infinite wisdom expects a return on his investment.
You took every gift and produced more. From engineer to comedian, educator to activist, mentor to actor, playwright to public speaker, organizer to leader, you bear fruit.
So as I, a part of the alumni of Black college tour (one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in my life) now a college and law school alumnus, reflect on your impact, I remember how you inspire me to never be complacent.
You inspire me to maximize what I have to the fullest, and when I’m done with that, to look for more to do. You inspire me to chase God sized dreams. Thank you for your continuing life’s work.
Kofi
I joined other Santa Clara County Black parents to hear about the Black college tour. Carl took the stage and announced,
"All your children are Black on the outside and white on the inside. You have done all you can do to get them to this point. Now its my turn to introduce them to an experience that will school them to appreciate who they are, where they came from and the possibilities of greatness that is their future. I want them as black on the inside as they are on the outside."
Mr. Ortega
I joined other Santa Clara County Black parents to hear about the Black college tour. Carl took the stage and announced,
"All your children are Black on the outside and white on the inside. You have done all you can do to get them to this point. Now its my turn to introduce them to an experience that will school them to appreciate who they are, where they came from and the possibilities of greatness that is their future. I want them as black on the inside as they are on
the outside."
Stephanie
The most impressive thing I remember is the professionalism, intellect, and class of our tour guide at Morehouse College. For the first time I saw Black professors and leaders. It gave me something to strive toward – I was sold. I came back with a new found, albeit skewed, pride in my heritage and culture.
I was happy to host the Tour at my Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. This was my time to give back and enjoyed it immensely.
I am a Morehouse Man.
Eric, 1992
I went on the college tour in high school, and it was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. This was when the college tour rolled 80-100 students deep and we filled up half the airplane. I can still remember the looks of shock on some of
the passengers’ faces when they saw all those black teenagers getting on the plane!
I have fond memories of us having great fun on the plane ride, playing cards, listening to music, telling jokes, etc. Not to mention the culture shock being around so many people who looked like us, doing so many positive things with their lives. It was awesome. I attended Hampton (the real HU!)
Erica, 1992
I attended the Black College Tour and the tour experience solidified my interest in attending an HBCU.
It is an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I grew up in East Palo Alto, CA. I went on to attend Morehouse College and obtained an MBA from Harvard University and I currently work in Risk Management at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
It is an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I grew up in East Palo Alto, CA. I went on to attend Morehouse College and obtained an MBA from Harvard University and I currently work in Risk Management at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Eric, 1996
The only other place I was accustomed to see a large number of Black folks was church. The positive atmosphere and the energy were truly amazing. You can image my awe stepping on to the campuses, —so many black people serious about getting an education— I loved it immediately.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude in Electrical Engineering. (from Tuskegee) I began working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
My job is to conduct fire protection and cyber security inspections at Nuclear Power Plants in the Southeast region of the US.” (melena, 2002).”.
Melena, 2002
Although I did not go on to attend an HBCU, I have never forgotten that trip. It impressed me how history is a solid, concrete thing that lives on into the present in ways that we are not always aware of.
It helped me to understand and appreciate how much was sacrificed on my behalf by people who I will never meet. I hope that I can help make that kind of a difference as well. I highly recommend the HBCU Tour to anyone who is scoping out colleges and wants to see some truly amazing universities.
The tour left me with far more than a laundry list of facts; rather, it left me with a profound sense of the ways in which people’s actions in the past are having a direct, physical impact on our lives…today. It wasn’t just history, it was *my* history; my *family’s history. I left with a feeling that I had something to be proud of, and the knowledge that my choices today as an African American WILL impact others after me.
Tamarind, 2007
Mr. Carl Ray had a profound impact on my life. His college tour showed a poor child from South San Jose, with two addicted parents, that anything was possible. I now have two master’s degrees and have been employed at Microsoft. Mr. Ray was a great man.
Roxie