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How We Started

William E. Edwards Academic College Tours, Inc. (WEE-ACT) was founded in 1986. After returning from Shaw University (oldest Historical Black College in the South), Angela L. Edwards and her dad realized there was a lack of knowledge in the Fairfield County region about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).


After taking a poll among 50 high school junior and seniors, they discovered that the students were familiar with one-fourth of the HBCU institutions.


Through one of Stamford’s social service agency, Ms. Edwards was able to offer the first HBCU college tour to over 40 high school students.

Mission

WEE-ACT to inspire and educate youth and their parents by taking them on tours of HBCU where they discover firsthand the rich opportunities that are available to them in higher education.

Goal

WEE-ACT’s goal is to close the achievement gap between low-income, predominately minority students and their more affluent peers, by introducing these middle and high school students to colleges and institutions of higher learning with a proud history of welcoming and serving diverse populations.

How We Reach Our Goals

  • Sponsorship of College Tours

  • Presentation by Scholarship and Internship Organizations at Workshops

  • Acknowledgment of HCBU Alumni

  • Showcasing Extra-Curricular Activities Offered at Post-Secondary Institutions

  • Annual Awards Dinner

Success

WEE-ACT’s success is measured by the number of tour participants who continue to and complete post-secondary education. It is also measured by parent and student surveys administered after the tours, by requests to participate in the annual tours by youth agencies and school districts surrounding Stanford, and by the testimonials given every year by college graduates who participated in the tours and honored at our fundraising Annual Awards Dinner.

Supporters

  • Academy of Information Technology and Engineering

  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Upsilon Omega Chapter

  • Altruistic

  • Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich

  • Boys & Girls Club of Stamford

  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Fairfield County Alumnae Chapter

  • DJ Anthony Juan Coon

  • Garavel Jeep Norwalk

  • Greg Roberson Memorial Scholarship

  • Juneteenth of Fairfield County, Inc

  • Neighborhood Housing Services of Stamford Inc

  • New Canaan Exchange Club

  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Nu Chapter

  • Representative Patricia Billie Miller

  • Sheraton Stamford

  • Shining Starzz of Stamford

  • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Iota Chi Sigma Chapter

  • Stamford Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

  • Stamford Public Schools

  • Stamford High School

  • State of CT Juvenile Judicial Branch

  • The Bowser Family

  • The Edwards Family

  • The Fellows of Stamford

  • Town of Greenwich

  • Westhill High School

  • Xerox

For Additional Info

Call us at 203-570-2328 or email us at aedwards@wee-act.org for more information about our organization. We primarily serve clients in Connecticut.

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