Career and Professional Development Programming

Current BPACF Scholars - Fill Out A Renewal Application Here
New Applicants – Fill Out A New Scholarship Application Here

BPACF Scholarships Program

BPACF provides scholarships to a cohort of college students each year attending 2 year and 4 year universities. Scholarships range from $500 to $1,000 per student and participants may attend the college/institution of their choice.  BPACF Scholars are given priority for access to BPACF’s Career Connect Internship Program. Program participants will also receive career advisement, professional development training and mentoring from executives in specific fields. Email blasts are provided to scholars monthly with additional opportunities, information and advice. Priority is given to students with financial need, based on family size and annual income as well as to students who are “first-generation” college students. The formal definition of a first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college degree.

  • BPACF Scholarships Program

BPACF provides scholarships to a cohort of 40-50 college students each year. Scholarships range from $500 to $1,000 per student and participants may attend the college/institution of their choice.  BPACF Scholars are given priority for access to BPACF’s Career Connect Internship Program. Program participants will also receive career advisement, professional development training and mentoring from executives in specific fields. Email blasts are provided to scholars monthly with additional opportunities, information and advice. Priority is given to students with financial need, based on family size and annual income as well as to students who are “first-generation” college students. The formal definition of a first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college degree.

  • Who's Got Next Speaker Series

A series of open, honest dialogues about the challenges of career and leadership development from the perspective of minority professionals, for high school students interested in specific industries. The discussions are hosted by a BPACF past honoree or Board Member, to keep the dialogue experience-based. The goal is to encourage young and minority professionals to develop the “soft” skills and workplace acumen that will advance their career and leadership capacity.

  • BPACF College To Career Series

This series is a group of events that encourage dozens of local youth towards a commitment to college completion, academic success and career advancement. The series also enables scholars to meet one another and top executives from Northeast Ohio, and learn more about their career path.
The series includes the following events:

  • BPACF Scholarship “Blitz” Day: A workshop on how to successfully find and apply for scholarship funds, financial aid and financial literacy.
  • BPACF Internship Boot Camp: A full-day workshop on how to successfully find and prepare for summer internships/employment, with a focus on soft-skill development.
  • BPACF Scholars Summer Night Out – The School Year Kick Off: A Night Out at fun venue for local minority scholars, to celebrate the start of the college school year.
  • BPACF Scholars Holiday Night Out – The Mid-Year Mixer: A Night Out (bowling party) for local minority scholars, to “check in” with one another on their academic progress at the mid-way point of the academic year, and encourage each other to continue their studies.
  • Career Connect Internship Program

Career Connect is a workforce development initiative of BPACF to enhance career opportunities for minority professionals from Northeast Ohio up to age 24. Individuals selected to participate in this unique program are matched with a paid internship that closely aligns with their college major. Program participants also receive innovative professional development with “lunch and learn” sessions and mentoring from local executives, BPACF board members and volunteers. Local businesses, entrepreneurs and corporations partner with BPACF, to acquire new talent from our pool of program participants.

  • Night Out Networking Series:

BPACF hosts a semi-annual networking mixer, known as our Night Out Series, to encourage and foster an environment for professional network-building to take place. For many young and minority professionals, networking is critical to career advancement.

  • ENGAGE Civic Leadership Series:

This quarterly series offers training, development and guidance to young and minority professionals who have an interest in serving in a civic leadership capacity, on a board or as an elected official in Northeast Ohio.

  • Scholarship & Awards Gala:

Throughout the history of the organization, BPACF has saluted a member of the community as the Black Professional of the Year (BPOY). The BPOY award is presented at our Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala held in the fall. This signature fundraiser draws a crowd of between 500 to 700 attendees. Funding from the gala supports the Emerging Professionals Programs.

Scholarships For Students

College is expensive. Scholarships help reduce the cost of higher education. For a list of scholarship opportunities, click here.