College Readiness for Black Male Achievers: TFI Kings at Cal Poly Pomona
By Alonzo Henderson
The 2026 A Different World Conference at Cal Poly Pomona was a three day experience that gave our Kings the opportunity to see themselves as not only future thriving black college students but future leaders.
Hosted in partnership with the Social Justice Learning Institute and The Fellowship Initiative, the conference brought together approximately 150 young Black and Brown scholars from communities across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Pomona, Lancaster, the Inland Empire, and Oakland.
Throughout the conference, students participated in workshops tailored to where they are in their educational journey. Rising freshmen explored what it takes to successfully transition into high school, while rising seniors received practical guidance through college readiness programs. Sessions covered topics like registering for classes, applying for and maintaining financial aid, communicating effectively, finding campus resources, and building relationships with faculty and staff.
Beyond the workshops, students had the chance to experience college life firsthand. They explored the campus library, student center, dining areas, and other spaces that helped make college feel familiar and attainable. They also connected with peers who shared similar goals, interests, and academic aspirations, creating relationships rooted in mentorship that can continue long after the conference ends.
The experience was not all classroom learning. Students also enjoyed team building activities like bowling and a trampoline park, giving them time to strengthen friendships, build community, and simply enjoy being together.
For our black male achievers, the greatest takeaway was seeing themselves in a higher education environment and believing they belong there. By surrounding them with peers, mentors, and college professionals who believe in their potential, the conference helped reinforce their positive racial and cultural identity and showed that college is not just a possibility, it is a place where they can thrive.