Who Are We?
The Real Reel Team is dedicated to providing a candid and authentic platform for discussing the college experience, both the highs and the challenges that students and parents often face but are seldom prepared for. Their mission is to bridge the gap between expectations and reality by delivering insightful, relatable, and practical conversations that help students and their families navigate through the complexities of higher education.
Weekly Conversations
Each week, the Real Reel Team hosts dynamic and unfiltered discussions, offering a behind-the-scenes look at various aspects of college life. These conversations cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Academic Pressure: How to handle the workload, manage time, and seek academic support.
- Social Dynamics: Navigating friendships, peer pressure, and campus culture.
- Financial Realities: The real cost of college, budgeting tips, and managing student loans.
- Mental Health and Well-being: Strategies for maintaining emotional balance and finding mental health resources on campus.
- Career Preparation: Advice on internships, job search strategies, and aligning college experiences with future career goals.
These weekly conversations feature a mix of guests, including current students, recent graduates, college administrators, and professionals from various fields, all of whom share personal stories and actionable advice.
Meet Your hbcu Uncle & Aunties
Andy T. Brown, affectionately known as "Our HBCU Uncle," is a proud graduate of Grambling State University. He is a passionate advocate for HBCUs and serves as a source of inspiration, wisdom, and mentorship within the HBCU community, fostering connections and promoting educational success for current and future students.
Tyonne Anderson, affectionately known as "Our HBCU Auntie," is a proud graduate of Morgan State University, where she is celebrated as "Ms. Alumni." She is a dedicated advocate for HBCUs, recognized for her commitment to supporting alumni engagement and fostering a sense of pride and connection within the HBCU community.
Mia Ferguson, fondly known as "HBCU Auntie #2," is a proud graduate of Morgan State University. Revered for her resourcefulness, she is recognized as "the boss on how to make a way out of no way," embodying resilience and leadership within the business community and beyond.
Hosting and Community Engagement
Beyond the weekly digital conversations, the Real Reel Team actively engages with communities through in-person panel discussions. These events are designed to bring the conversation into a live, interactive space where students and parents can hear directly from experts and peers who have navigated the college journey. The in-person panels focus on:
- Preparing for College: Offering insights into the transition from high school to college, what to expect, and how to prepare mentally, emotionally, and financially.
- Surviving the First Year: Addressing common first-year challenges, from homesickness to adjusting to academic expectations.
- Building a Support System: Discussing the importance of creating a network of mentors, counselors, and peers to support students through college.
These panels encourage active participation from attendees, allowing them to ask questions, voice concerns, and seek advice in real-time. The Real Reel Team creates a supportive environment where both students and parents can learn and feel empowered to tackle the college experience head-on.
The Real Reel Team is the ultimate host at college prep events, workshops, and educational expos, and panels. In these settings, the team:
- Moderates discussions with college representatives and educational experts.
- Facilitates parent-student workshops on preparing for college life.
- Hosts Q&A sessions to address specific concerns families might have about the transition to higher education.
Through their in-person engagements, the Real Reel Team not only educates but also fosters community, ensuring that students and parents have the tools, resources, and confidence to succeed in the college journey. Their purpose is clear: to provide honest, meaningful, and practical support that helps families navigate the unspoken realities of college with greater clarity and preparedness.
Where You Can Find us
