Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD grant of $25,000 is helping Camp HBCYouth bring more elementary school children onto historically Black college campuses while making the summer program more accessible to families.
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The financial support will allow the organization to increase opportunities for young students, employ more HBCU college students, and reduce financial barriers that could prevent families from participating.
Camp HBCYouth was founded in 2021 by Spelman College graduate Reagan Fresnel and Morehouse College alumnus Brian Wright. Since launching, the seven-week summer program has served approximately 2,000 children in kindergarten through fifth grade, introducing them to college life years before they begin thinking about applications.
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Fresnel expressed her appreciation to Beyoncé, Tina Knowles, and the foundation on Instagram, explaining that the contribution would help the organization “put more children on HBCU campuses” while creating employment opportunities for college students and maintaining affordability.
The program goes beyond traditional summer activities. Children participate in reading comprehension, science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and critical thinking exercises. They also learn about influential historical figures, experience campus traditions, and receive mentorship from HBCU students and alumni.
BeyGOOD described the experience as combining “education, wellness, arts, and sports,” giving younger students an opportunity to explore academics alongside creativity, physical activity, and personal development.
The foundation also reported that 95% of participating campers demonstrate strong interest in attending an HBCU. The figure comes from BeyGOOD’s reporting and has not been independently verified.
The BeyGOOD grant supports an organization already connected with several prominent institutions, including Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Tennessee State University. Camp HBCYouth also identifies Morgan State University as a future location.
Another expansion could bring the program directly into Beyoncé’s hometown. Camp HBCYouth has announced plans involving Texas Southern University in Houston, although an official launch date has not been confirmed.
Houston television station CW39 described Beyoncé as “Houston’s own” while covering the announcement. The planned Texas Southern expansion would connect her latest educational investment with a university that has previously received support from her foundation.
In June 2025, BeyGOOD awarded Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band $100,000 to support scholarships, student recruitment, retention, and improvements to the program’s equipment and technology.
That contribution followed the band’s participation in Beyoncé’s 2024 Christmas Day NFL halftime performance in Houston, where more than 200 Ocean of Soul members joined her on the field.
The latest BeyGOOD grant also builds on years of financial commitments to HBCU education.
Following her historic 2018 Coachella performance, Beyoncé established the Homecoming Scholars Award Program to provide scholarships at Tuskegee University, Wilberforce University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Bethune-Cookman University.
Google later matched the initial $100,000 commitment, extending scholarship opportunities to students at Texas Southern, Morehouse, Grambling State, and Fisk University.
At the time, Parkwood Entertainment philanthropy executive Ivy McGregor described the partnership as a way of “elevating cultural touchstones” while investing in educational opportunities.
BeyGOOD has also supported career development outside traditional universities. In 2024, the foundation partnered with Beyoncé’s haircare company, Cécred, to establish funding for cosmetology scholarships and grants benefiting salon and barbershop owners.
The foundation describes its charitable work as supporting “scholarships, entrepreneurship, emergency relief and community-based investments.”
For Camp HBCYouth, the $25,000 award addresses two generations of students simultaneously. Younger children gain exposure to college environments, while current HBCU students can access paid positions and mentorship experience.
The program’s early enrollment period is scheduled to open on November 9, giving interested families an opportunity to explore participation in the next summer season.
