Dr. Irene G. Pinkard, retired educator, and consultant and former Councilman Bedford Pinkard, an advocate for youth for over 35 years, began the Black College Tour (BCT) in Ventura County in 1990.  The purpose of the BCT is to expose African American students in Ventura County to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) who offer them alternative educational opportunities outside of the traditional colleges and provide Aftrican-American role models in higher education institutions.

The
BCT
Team

African American high school students in Ventura County are approximately 4-5%.  The population of the African American role models in the high schools in Ventura County is also negligible.  In an effort to inspire, encourage, and assist minority youth, specifically African American youth, to attain high educational goals.  Thus, the Black College Tour was initiated!

Joseph and Barbara (Bobbie) Richards joined the Pinkards as tour Chaperones in 2004.  They are both educators in the Ventura Unified School District.  Joe Richards, Jr., is the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services and has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science Degree in Counseling.  Bobbie is also a High School Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist.

Joe and Bobbie have been married for 32 years and have four children.  They are members of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oxnard.  They are both mentors and advocates for your people, using their life experiences as teaching tools to inspire young people to dream and believe they can be the best they can be under any circumstances.

HBCU's offer alternative educational opportunities outside of the traditional colleges.