Students from across the East Bay explored transfer opportunities, scholarships & campus life at Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
Laney College's Quad was filled with students, music and conversations about the future on Monday, November 9, as the 2026 California Community Colleges (CCC) to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fall Caravan made its first stop at Laney College.
The event brought together 592 student participants from across the East Bay, including students from all four Peralta colleges, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), Berkeley High School and other California community college districts.
Attendance increased by 103 students over last year's event, reflecting growing interest in HBCU transfer opportunities and the partnerships helping students explore them.
Connecting Students with HBCU Opportunities
The annual CCC to HBCU Caravan gives community college students an opportunity to meet directly with representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, learn about academic programs and scholarships, and explore the California Community Colleges HBCU Transfer Guarantee pathway.
For students considering their next steps after community college, the event offered a chance to ask questions, make connections and learn more about what attending an HBCU could mean for their educational and career goals.
The day's activities included transfer and enrollment workshops, an HBCU alumni panel, community organizations, music from a live DJ, and a 360-degree photo booth. Participating institutions also shared information about admissions and scholarship opportunities.
The turnout included:
- 198 Peralta Community College student check-ins
- 61 Peralta Community College student walk-in signups
- 280 OUSD students
- 32 Berkeley High School students
- 21 students from other community college districts
Together, these groups represented 592 student participants.
Peralta Sets the Stage for a Statewide Initiative
This year's event marked an important milestone for the Peralta Community College District, which served as the pilot and first CCC to HBCU Hub for the statewide initiative.
Dr. Arynn Auzout Settle, Project Director for the California Community Colleges Transfer Guarantee Agreement to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, praised Peralta's leadership and the collaborative effort behind the event.
She also emphasized the importance of helping students understand how beginning their education at a California community college can lead to continued academic success at an HBCU.
All four Peralta colleges hold Black-Serving Institution (BSI) designations, underscoring the District's commitment to supporting Black student success and expanding educational opportunities
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The Power of Seeing What's Possible
For many students, the Caravan offered more than information about transferring. It provided an opportunity to connect with people who understand the HBCU experience firsthand.
Berkeley City College President Dr. Denise Richardson, an HBCU alumna, reflected on the personal significance of the event.
"Attending an HBCU changed the trajectory of my life for good, so I am thankful that our students were able to explore this option for themselves," Richardson shared.
Her experience speaks to one of the Caravan's central goals: helping students discover educational environments and opportunities they may not have previously considered.
From the left: Chris Pangelina, Chancellor Gilkerson, Dr. Marla Williams-Powell & Dr. Nicole Porter
A Districtwide Effort
Hosting an event of this size required coordination across the Peralta Community College District, with support from college leadership, faculty, classified professionals, student services teams and volunteers.
Laney College's Grounds and Custodial teams helped prepare the campus, while the Culinary Arts Department provided food and hospitality for attendees and visiting representatives. District marketing and Peralta TV staff documented the event through photography, video and interviews.
Dr. Raniyah Johnson, Dean of Counseling and Student Equity at Berkeley City College, thanked the many individuals who contributed to the event's success.
"What makes events like today's so meaningful is not simply the number of students who attended, but the opportunities we created for them to envision their futures, explore new pathways, and connect with institutions that can help them achieve their educational goals," Johnson wrote.
The event demonstrated what is possible when colleges, school districts, and HBCU partners work together to make transfer opportunities more accessible.
IMAGE: Dr. Raniyah Johnson, Dean of Counseling & Student Equity at Berkeley City College
Explore the HBCU Transfer Pathway
The PCCD's CCC to HBCU Transfer Program helps eligible California community college students explore transfer opportunities at participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Students interested in learning more can connect with their college's counseling and transfer services teams to discuss eligibility, participating institutions and the steps toward transferring.
Learn More About Laney College's HBCU Transfer Program →