When Pride Hits You From Every Direction: Watching Our Young Black Minds Rise Through UNCF’s Portfolio Project

Simply Flava • By Lady Flava

There are moments in life where your heart gets full in ways you can’t explain… moments where you’re sitting in a room watching something bigger than you unfold, and all you can do is breathe it in. That was me today — Nanny and Lady Flava in the same skin — sitting in a celebration of brilliance.

Of course, I was proud of my GrandBaby, Eddison.

But let me tell you — I was proud of every single one of those kids standing up there, presenting their story, sharing their growth, and showing what this program has poured into them. These weren’t just presentations. These were young voices learning how to claim their future out loud.

And the room?

Electric.

Beautiful.

Full of possibility.

This Is More Than a Program — This Is a Pipeline

Eddison is part of the UNCF Signature College Preparatory Program: The Portfolio Project, and seeing it in action hits different.

CLICK THE LINK TO LISTEN TO:

Eddison’s Presentation

This organization doesn’t sit back waiting for students to come to them.

They go to the schools.

They show up in the community.

They hand out information — opportunities — with intention.

They put real tools in the hands of young Black brilliant minds, and they do it passionately, consistently, and with a fire that you can feel.

Engage. Enable. Ensure.

That’s their strategy.

And it’s not just a slogan — it’s work you can see.

ENGAGE

Since 2006, the Portfolio Project has been guiding 11th and 12th graders through weekly workshops:

College admissions conversations Essay writing help Financial aid and financial literacy workshops Guest speakers Real mentorship from real industry professionals

These students aren’t guessing their way into the future — they’re being prepared for it.

ENABLE

This program gives access:

A massive UNCF College & Career Fair with over 1,200 attendees HBCU panels STEAM panels Scholarship workshops Opportunities to apply for the Portfolio Project Scholarship ($1500–$2500)

And let’s not forget the Atlanta HBCU tour — that unforgettable trip where students walked those campuses, breathed that history, and saw a future with their own eyes. Eddison was right there too, standing in front of a plane wrapped in Nelson Mandela’s words, stepping into her own story.

ENSURE

Here’s the proof:

Over $200,000 in scholarships awarded 85% of students accepted into colleges and universities Many being first-generation college students

This isn’t small work.

This is generational change.

What They Give Our Kids

This program teaches:

Pride Presentation Confidence Self-awareness Discipline Time-management How to engage with professionals How to move through the world with intention How to apply for scholarships How to speak up for themselves How to build a network How to be ready

They give these students mentors, peers, and a community they belong to. They give them structure and encouragement to stay on top of both school assignments and program projects.

And the adults?

Whew.

They are passionate, enthusiastic, and fully invested in these students’ success. You can see it in their smiles, their energy, their presence. They show up — and they show up big.

A Full Circle Moment

And let me add this — the Seattle Seahawks are one of the sponsors for the Seattle chapter. That alone should tell you the significance of this program.

CLICK THE LINK TO LISTEN TO:

Mario Bailey

One of Kiki’s first Portfolio Project assignments was interviewing a Seahawks legend — Mario Bailey — who is now the VP of Community Engagement & Legends for the Seahawks. When he got up and spoke today, it was a full-circle moment. The kind that makes you sit back and think:

“Look how this child is being shaped. Look at the rooms she’s being invited into.”

It’s a blessing to witness.

My Message to Our Black Families

Let me say this with love and truth:

If we want our children to rise, we have to put them in rooms designed for rising.

Programs like the Portfolio Project are life-changing. They teach pride. They teach leadership. They teach our kids that their dreams aren’t too big — they just need the right support.

Our young people deserve access to this kind of preparation.

This kind of exposure.

This kind of community.

I walked out today with a full heart, knowing I had just witnessed the future — bold, brilliant, and ready.

And I’ll say this again for the people in the back:

A mind is a terrible thing to waste… but a brilliant mind given guidance,

That becomes unstoppable.