ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg College is working to increase the college graduation rate among African American men.

This month, the school graduated its first class of Florida African American Male Experience (FAAME) scholars. With a grant from the Helios Foundation, the students have been able to take classes, learn leadership skills and receive opportunities they never dreamed of.

“I feel great,” said graduate and FAAME scholar Jo’el Hicks. “This is just a sign of what’s to come. It’s a sign that I’ve held up my word, that all I needed was an opportunity.”

In recent years, the number of Black men attending college has dropped. According to the Joint Center for Political Economic Studies, between 2019 and 2021, junior colleges nationwide saw a 23% decline in Black male enrollment.

“I always tell them, failure is not an option,” said FAAME coordinator Steve Marshall.

Nearly two dozen FAAME scholars graduated from the program in May, and many in the group said they plan to continue their studies at a four-year university.

“I plan to transfer to FAMU in August, studying computer science,” said FAAME scholar and St. Petersburg College graduate Adolfo Acevedo.

“The end goal is to be a commercial airline pilot,” said FAAME scholar and St. Petersburg College graduate Lucas Fidelis. “I’m also a psychology major, because if I can’t be a pilot, I want to be a sports psychologist.”

“I plan on transferring to USF for a Bachelor’s degree in journalism,” said FAAME scholar and St. Petersburg College graduate George Mention.

Meanwhile, St. Petersburg College will start its next freshman FAAME class next month. To find out more about the program, contact Marshall at marshall.steve@spcollege.edu or call 1-727-712-5887.