About Us

Our Mission

Kids 1st Foundation expands college access and life opportunities for youth by guiding them from aspiration to enrollment, with a focus on HBCU pathways.

How we deliver

We provide mentoring, year-round college readiness through the Making Moves Institute for HBCU Access, and immersive HBCU college tours that connect students with campus life, faculty, and real next steps.

Founder’s Mission (Carl Ray)

Today, Kids 1st focuses on scholarship readiness and connecting students to external financial aid resources.

Providing robust programs and activities for students seeking to attend college. Kids 1st Foundation provides mentoring activities, college application assistance, scholarships, grant information, academic resources, and college tours. Kids 1st Foundation’s vision is to reveal the power of education by helping youth meet their highest potential and enhance their quality of life.

College Tours

Our HBCU college tours are immersive campus experiences that help students see themselves in college and understand the culture, legacy, and opportunities unique to HBCUs. Through guided visits and direct conversations with faculty and current students, students gain a real look at academics and campus life. Each tour includes pre-tour preparation and post-tour follow-up, so students leave with clarity, confidence, and a concrete set of next steps.

MAKING MOVES INSTITUTE FOR HBCU ACCESS

Year-Round HBCU College Access and Readiness

The Making Moves Institute for HBCU Access is Kids 1st Foundation’s year-round pathway from interest to enrollment. We support students with planning, applications, FAFSA and financial aid, scholarship readiness, resumes, and major and career alignment. Tours are a core Institute experience, and the year-round work turns exposure into outcomes.

Parent Engagement

Parents are the most important partners for their youth. We seek to aid parents with their parental challenges by providing appropriate support for the ultimate goal of raising successful students. Race, income, and language are not barriers if parents are engaged and supported. Regardless of race, income, or language barriers, the benefits of parental and community involvement for students include: higher grade point averages, higher scores on standardized tests, improved school attendance, improved social skills and increases success at school.