Baltimore City Celebrates Its Inaugural College Signing Day

BALTIMORE - May 2, 2018 - PRLog -- On Friday, May 11, 2018, from 10:00am – 1:00pm, Baltimore City will host its inaugural College Signing Day at the Royal Farms Arena. College Signing Day is a national initiative created by former first lady, Michelle Obama, dedicated to inspiring every student in America to take charge of their future by pursuing and completing their education beyond high school. On this day, five-thousand seniors from Baltimore City Public Schools will be cheered on and encouraged by their community, to learn more about education options after graduation. "Congratulations to all of our high school seniors," said Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools. "We are pleased to join this national movement in creating postsecondary pathways for our graduates and future leaders."

Baltimore City Mayor Catherine E. Pugh will join Dr. Santelises in bringing greetings during the event. The program will also feature special celebrity guests, spoken word artists, step show performances, and representatives from local colleges and universities! Students will get a mini-concert with musical performances by Baltimore's own Peso Da Mafia, Lil Key and Creek Boys.  Black Girls Vote will participate in College Signing Day to engage, educate, and empower seniors to activate their voices by utilizing their right to vote.

This important day is being supported by community stakeholders who believe in the future of Baltimore's youth. "We have no more essential responsibility than the support of our young people and to creating pathways for their full development and success," said Mayor Catherine E. Pugh. "I encourage our entire community to find ways to lift-up our young people whenever possible, even as we cheer-on these impressive graduates as they begin this important new phase of their lives."

The entire city of Baltimore is encouraged to join the celebration marking May 11, 2018, as Baltimore College Signing Day, by wearing college apparel and showing support of post-secondary education via social media.

Colleges, Universities and Military Branches confirmed to attend include:

• Baltimore City Community College (BCCC)
• Bowie State University
• Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
• Coppin State University
• Frostburg University
• Goucher College
• Hood College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Loyola University Maryland
• Maryland Institute College of Arts (MICA)
• McDaniel College
• Morgan State University
• Mt. St. Mary's College
• Notre Dame of Maryland University
• Salisbury State University
• St. John's College
• St. Mary's College of Maryland
• Stevenson University
• Towson University
• University of Baltimore
• University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• University of Maryland University College
• U.S. Army Recruiting Center
• U.S. Marine Corps
• U.S. Navy

Other exhibitors include:

• Black Girls Vote
• Baltimore Collegetown Network
• The Literacy Lab
• Starbucks

The following organizations have partnered to make the 2018 Baltimore City Signing Day possible:

• Baltimore City Public Schools
• Baltimore's Promise
• BGE
• BridgeEdU
• DTLR
• greiBO
• CollegeBound Foundation
• City of Baltimore
• Greenspring Advisors
• Fund for Educational Excellence
• Maryland Mentor
• The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation Inc.
• Under Armour
• United Way of Central Maryland
• Visit Baltimore
• Wells Fargo
• Whiting Turner

Social media interaction is encouraged using the hashtags #CollegeSigningDay, #BetterMakeRoom, #ReachHigherBmore, #WeWill and #MyBmore.  Stay connected by following @ReachHigherBmore on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For event details and opportunities to volunteer, visit www.CollegeSigningDay.org.

This event will be open to the press. If you would like more information or to request coverage, please contact Nika Watkins at (678) 744-3473 or email at nika@fireicepr.com.