Beyonce’s BeyGOOD awards $25k to camp introducing children to HBCU’s

The grant will help Camp HBCYouth expand access to historically Black colleges, hire more college students and keep summer programs affordable for families.

Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD foundation has awarded $25,000 to Camp HBCYouth, a summer program that introduces elementary school children to historically Black colleges and universities. The new BeyGOOD grant builds on her HBCU scholarship program and funding for Black beauty schools, extending that support to children years before college.

The money will help Camp HBCYouth bring more children onto HBCU campuses, hire more HBCU students and keep its programs affordable for families, AFROTECH reported. Founder and executive director Reagan Fresnel thanked Beyoncé, Tina Knowles and the BeyGOOD team for supporting the program.

Fresnel, a 2018 Spelman College graduate, founded the camp with Morehouse College alumnus Brian Wright. Their seven-week summer program has served 2,000 children in kindergarten through fifth grade, offering an early look at campus life and the possibilities of higher education.

The camp combines academic lessons with HBCU traditions, teaching students about Black history, college chants and the contributions of Black pioneers. Campers also participate in reading and STEAM activities, arts and music, sports and wellness programs.

HBCU students and alumni mentor participants, while visits to academic departments and other campus facilities introduce children to potential career paths. Camp HBCYouth lists Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta University and Tennessee State University among its partners.

Fresnel said her own college experience, marked by Black pride and a sense of community, inspired her to offer younger children something similar. In her public thank-you, she said the award would help the camp “put more children on HBCU campuses” while supporting student jobs and access for families.

BeyGOOD said the investment recognizes a program helping children in grades K–5 explore HBCU history and opportunities through education, wellness, arts and sports. Education is one of the foundation’s three stated areas of focus, alongside entrepreneurship and community response.

The BeyGOOD grant comes as Camp HBCYouth plans to expand to Texas Southern University in Houston. Early-bird enrollment is listed for November 9.