Our alumni enrollments:
Alfred University, Morgan State, Manhattanville, Cazenovia, Hampton University, Morrisville State, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Oswego, University at Buffalo, and Westchester Community College, among others.
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Becoming a member of the Black Diamonds has been an eye-opening experience for me. The constant and uplifting support from fellow Black Diamonds members has helped me in staying in alignment with my path to academic success. The program has taught me important values such as integrity and timeliness. My ultimate takeaway from this organization is that you don’t have to walk your path alone. The organization really emphasizes the presence of a brotherhood and there is a strong sense of this throughout it.
The Black Diamonds also gives back to the community through many different events. One such event ‘Up With Downs’ was hosted with the intent of raising awareness about down syndrome and even went so far as acknowledging a member’s relative. The event had been a positive and unforgettable experience.
The Black Diamonds is an organization that promotes unity between its members, it teaches us to walk our paths with the end goal in mind. I have never seen a tighter support group in my school than what I had experienced with the Black Diamonds. Although I was a rather new member to the group, I was welcomed with open arms and I am still grateful and honored to have been apart of all the various forms of involvement they have partook in.
I am currently a Biological Science major in college and this organization has my utmost support."
— Jarrett Lloyd, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
“The Black Diamonds has taught me what teenage boys need to learn in order to become men of character. It's also taught me the value of brotherhood, to always support my brothers no matter what. BDAS has encouraged me to become a knowledgeable person. Since joining the organization, my grades were better than my first two years in high school, which significantly improved my GPA.
I really appreciated all of the unique experiences - from the community events to hosting our first live telethon - it made me feel like I could do anything I put my mind to. I’ve always been a quiet person, but I knew I always had compelling points that I would never speak about and me being active in the community it's made me more vocal about talking about things that I stand up for. Additionally, the college tours really inspired me to crack down on my grades even more because I loved the feeling of being on a HBCU campus. I worked hard to get accepted into college and its only motivated me even more to accomplish my goals.
As I begin the next steps and pursue my
degree in electrical engineering
, I’m thankful for being a Black Diamond, because I’ve transformed into the best person I can be.”
— Tarique Cummings, Morgan State University
”The Black Diamonds has helped me in tremendous ways. It helped me keep myself on track with my grades and extracurriculars, and it made me realize that I wanted to go to college and how to get there.
The HBCU tour we took in 2019 was really eye-opening and inspiring, I hope it can help more people as it did for me. It feels good to be apart of a brotherhood.
To me, the Black Diamonds is more than just an academic success program. We've done countless things for our community and we stick by each other no matter what.
I’m extremely happy and honored to be an original member of this group, and it can only help that it can inspire more young men of color the way it inspired me.
I am currently enrolled in college and
majoring in Musical Theater. I fully support this organization as its changed my life!
— Justin Smithson, Manhattanville College
”The Black Diamonds
made me feel like I was apart of something big enough to make important changes that are very important to young black men.
I graduated from Peekskill high school and got to take part in events that directly impacted my community. I was a part of the NAACP electing Mayor Rainey, who is the youngest African American male to hold that position in my town. Additionally, I was compelled to go to city hall and use my voice to help get a new football field. These are just a few examples that directly show the program’s overall influence.
I was able to see and experience opportunities that I might not have witnessed if I was not apart of the Black Diamond organization. I now have over 25 other members that I can call my brothers.
I am excited about attending college and I whole-heartedly support this organization and its mission."
— Joshua Allen, SUNY Morrisville