We were lucky to catch up with Rebecca Burns recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.
One of the reasons I created ISupportHBCUs was to give scholarships to underrepresented seniors going to HBCUs and to HBCU students. In addition to donations, a portion of all sales help fund scholarships. Many of us know how expensive college textbooks can be and the ISupportHBCUs Book Scholarship helps alleviate the stress.
Since March 2020, COVID19 impacted everyone especially the graduating HS seniors who were getting ready to head off to college during August & September 2020. During the time of their freshman year, no one had experienced college like this before and even though it wasn’t much I could do, I wanted to help them. I created my 1st ISupportHBCUs Book Scholarship and planned on choosing one lucky student. However, I received numerous applications and decided to award three incoming freshmen, each with a book scholarship, so they wouldn’t have to stress about purchasing all of their textbooks. I’ve been able to give away book scholarships in the past two years and my plan is to increase the amount so I can give away bigger scholarships over the years. I wouldn’t be able to contribute to HBCU students without the donations and support from my customers and I pray it continues and increases over the years.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Growing up as an only child, I was raised by my mother, an accountant for over 20 years, and my beloved grandmother, an educator for 40 years. I knew I was going to college, especially to a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) at an early age, but I had several in mind. In 6th grade, I was recommended to join a brand new program and became one of the original members of the Bickel & Brewer’s Future Leaders Program (FLP) in Dallas, TX. The Future Leaders Program provides academic resources and leadership development to students from Dallas ISD. I enjoyed being apart of this academic program because it gave us new opportunities at an early age and assisted us with our college process.
During high school, I attended Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center and joined the well-known “The Big “D” Marching Band.” I was also involved in church at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and a few ministries, including H.E.A.T. (Higher Education Action Team). This ministry also assisted us with our college process and provided SAT/ACT workshops and tests, and hosting events, just to name a few. I remember being excited about attending a HBCU College Fair and seeing so many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in one building. In addition, I was awarded a scholarship from the H.E.A.T. Ministry during my senior year of high school. During that time, I was interested in a few out-of-state HBCUs who had incredible Business schools and band programs. It was a hard decision to make but I decided to attend a popular HBCU in the south.
I became a PROUD HBCU graduate from the “Illustrious” Clark Atlanta University in May 2013 with my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. After graduation, I left Atlanta, GA and moved back home to Texas. By networking, I was able to work with AmeriCorps Vista in the Education field and I enjoyed working with the University of Texas – Austin and UT – Outreach. A job opportunity presented itself and in December 2013, I became a Higher Education Advisor (HEA) for a non-profit organization called Education Is Freedom (EIF). As an advisor, I’m located in Dallas ISD and this school year, I also joined Grand Prairie ISD where I provide college and career assistance to students in grades 6th-12th. As a product of Dallas ISD, I can relate to my students and I enjoy working and helping them “Find Their Future.” Many seniors visit my office to get assistance with college applications, financial aid, FAFSA/TASFA, scholarships, essays, resume, SAT/ACT, you name it!
While working a full time job, I decided I wanted to obtain my Master’s in Business Administration. I’m housed at diverse campuses and after having conversations with the students and adults, I realized a lot of them were not familiar with Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). For some of them, it was their first time ever hearing about it. They haven’t been taught, and as the expert, that’s where I come in. Having a passion for HBCUs, I make it my mission to educate others on HBCUs. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. one of our targets include us focusing on the education with an emphasis on HBCUs and that’s something I truly believe in doing. Before I started working, I knew I wanted to create my own business but couldn’t decide on just one business. I’ve had ideas about creating something for HBCUs but wasn’t exactly sure on what it would look like. After obtaining my MBA, I made the decision to move forward with creating my business about HBCUs and I would jot down ideas and plans for it over the years. I prayed about it and hesitated to start because I didn’t have everything I needed and wanted it to be perfect. I finally took a leap of faith and launched my business in 2019 and I’m excited to see where it will take me.
The name of my business is ISupportHBCUs. I created it to spread the awareness of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), to educate others and create more conversations about HBCUs, and to provide scholarships to underprivileged high school seniors who want to attend HBCUs and now current HBCU students. In addition to donations, I also sell t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, and other merchandise so a portion all of proceeds can help fund scholarships.
As a business owner and HBCU Graduate, I’m proud that I can help influence the younger generation and assist them with their college decisions, and award HBCU scholarships. What sets me apart from other businesses is not only will I provide HBCU scholarships but I also have informative events and workshops to assist and inform students and parents about colleges, HBCUs, etc. In February 2020, I hosted my 1st College Fair and HBCU Panel Discussion and invited colleges/universities from Texas and the surrounding states to join us. High school students and their parents attended and received more information about colleges, scholarships, applications, and financial aid. etc.. Following the college fair, was the HBCU Panel Discussion, which featured current HBCU students and alumni from Prairie View A&M University, Southern University, Paul Quinn College, Tuskegee University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and the “Illustrious” Clark Atlanta University. During February 2021, I had to pivot and host my 1st Virtual HBCU College Fair & Panel Discussion and I was so thankful for the college reps, students, parents, and educators who supported my event. During National HBCU Week in September 2021, I hosted my 2nd Virtual HBCU College Fair & Panel Discussion and more attendees participated. I even created and we played Kahoot: HBCU Edition and the students loved it! During Black History Month this year, EIF & ISupportHBCUs hosted the 3rd Annual Virtual HBCU College Fair & Panel Discussion and ever more students and educators attended this year and we heard from several HBCUs employees, students, and alumni during these informative events.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
My business, ISupportHBCUs, has been on social media since 2019 and two ways I’m building my audience is by understanding my target audience and knowing my “why” behind my brand. My “why” or the purpose of my business and account is to increase the awareness of HBCUs, educate others, and provide HBCU scholarships. Social media makes it so easy to connect with people around the world and share information online to thousands, without leaving the comfort of your home. Connecting with others online allows me to spread the awareness of the brand, build relationships, gain supporters, and host virtual and informative HBCU events for people all over the world. Knowing the purpose of your social media account is important because it lets people know what you stand for and if it resinates with them, they will support you.
It is also important to understand your target audience so you know how to appeal to them and speak their language. Your audience follows you for a certain reason, and in my case it’s about HBCUs, so the majority of what I post will fall under that category. It’s good to make sure you identify your target audience and know how to create a voice that speaks to them. The better you connect with them, the easier it is for them to know your brand, take interest, and support. In addition to HBCUs, I’ll post about black culture but it’s also important that your posts are engaging and relatable. I create content and will post pictures and videos that are entertaining, informative, and encouraging.
In addition, you just have to start, show up, and be consistent. When you first create your social media account, you might only have some of your family members, friends, and colleagues following you. More people will follow you in due time, especially after you identify your target audience and your purpose, if you hadn’t already. This is your beginning and we all have started from somewhere but, you just have to take a leap of faith and start. Don’t worry about not getting thousands of likes or followers right away. Just start somewhere; it doesn’t have to be perfect. Once you start and create your social media account, you have to show up and be consistent for yourself and your audience. At the beginning, you might post 1-2 times a week because you don’t have a lot of followers. However, the more consistent you are and work on posting good, quality content, you’ll start to see an increase in your followers/likes/comments. It’s also important to use hashtags that relate to your posts or brand, which can help others find your posts and your account. You’ll eventually start posting daily, seeing your followers share your posts and show support, but none of this can happen until you start and create your social media account.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
I love grassroots marketing. It gives me the opportunity to meet potential and new clients in person and they have the chance to learn about my brand. When someone is on my website, I am not able to hold a conversation with them and they don’t have the opportunity to hear the passion and personality behind the brand. However, going to different HBCU campuses and events, black owned business events, etc., it allows me to connect with potential customers, allows people to experience my products first hand, etc. I love meeting new people and talking about my brand so I’m always looking for vendor opportunities, especially events where I can find and connect with my target audience. I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of encouraging and supportive customers and it’s been very rewarding. As a new business owner, I strongly recommend more entrepreneurs to sign up for pop up shops and any vendor events that allows you to get in front people and market your brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.isupporthbcus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isupporthbcus_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISupportHBCUs/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ISupportHBCUs
- Other: Go Fund Me – https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-isupporthbcus-fund-scholarships-4-hs-seniors?qid=1e7a43bb2c7ecd4150698b47687ae43a
Image Credits
Josh Sherwood, Barrington T. and Tyler Sharper