The Friday after Thanksgiving is often synonymous with shopping bags, packed parking lots, and doorbuster deals. But what if this year, instead of chasing sales, families chased opportunities for their college-bound students? That’s the vision behind Fresh Perspectives’ 11th Annual Black Friday Scholarship Bootcamp, a transformative event designed to empower students and families to secure higher education without drowning in debt.
Set to take place on Friday, November 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Michigan Central Station & New Lab in Detroit, this year’s event challenges families to rethink how they spend Black Friday. Gwen Thomas, founder of Fresh Perspectives, sees the Bootcamp as a chance to redefine priorities. “Affordability is a huge concern for families today,” Thomas says. “We want students to understand how to pay for college with scholarships, not loans, and we’re here to demystify financial aid for parents, setting students up for lifelong success.”
Over the past 11 years, the Bootcamp has helped students secure more than $30 million in scholarships. The program extends beyond tuition, unlocking opportunities for study abroad, graduate programs, and even advanced professional degrees in law and medicine. It’s a proven pathway to reducing student debt, a burden disproportionately impacting Black families nationwide.
This year’s event features an impressive lineup of speakers and workshops tailored to meet the needs of high school juniors, seniors, and college students. Attendees will hear from Gwen Thomas herself, who is affectionately known as the “scholarship guru.” Other notable speakers include Mykolas Rambus, a leader in cybersecurity and data privacy; Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, president of Pensole Academy, Detroit’s only HBCU; and James “Screal” Eberheart Jr., a tech entrepreneur with expertise in e-sports and robotics.
Workshops will cover a wide range of topics, from ACT/SAT preparation to navigating financial aid, securing scholarships, and exploring emerging career fields like STEM and microchip manufacturing. For parents, the sessions offer practical tools to demystify the college application process and build financial literacy skills, ensuring they are equipped to guide their children through the journey ahead.
The Bootcamp will also address timely topics like the implications of recent elections on higher education policies. Sessions will explore race-conscious admissions programs, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) funding, and civil rights protections in academia. “The Black Friday Scholarship Bootcamp is a platform to develop the next generation of skilled professionals,” Thomas explains. “By engaging corporations in our mission, we’re not just preparing students—we’re also contributing to a stronger workforce for tomorrow.”
While the primary focus is scholarships, the Bootcamp also emphasizes workforce readiness. By connecting students with professionals in tech, healthcare, and business, the event provides a window into future career opportunities. The Department of Labor’s top careers in STEM and other growth industries will be highlighted, helping students align their educational pursuits with high-demand job markets.
Thomas underscores the importance of this connection: “By engaging corporations in our mission, we’re not just preparing students—we’re also contributing to a stronger workforce for tomorrow.”
The skills students gain at this Bootcamp will not only prepare them for higher education but also for emerging careers in fields like cybersecurity, robotics, and microchip manufacturing.
Fresh Perspectives’ work is deeply rooted in the community. The nonprofit, founded by Thomas, has a mission to guide families through the often overwhelming process of college readiness. Her book, The Parents Smart Guide to Sending Your Kids to College Without Going Broke, has become a trusted resource for families across Metro Detroit and beyond.
Since its inception, the Black Friday Scholarship Bootcamp has also become a pivotal resource in combating the student debt crisis. Families leave the event equipped with a competitive edge in scholarship acquisition, student loan management, and financial literacy—essential tools for navigating today’s challenging educational landscape.
Families interested in participating can register at www.BlackFridaySB.com or by calling 609-474-4877. “Don’t just shop this Black Friday—invest in a brighter, debt-free future for your child,” Thomas says.
As Black Friday approaches, the message from Fresh Perspectives is to skip the mall and invest in your student’s future. This year, make the holiday season about opportunity, empowerment, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. For Detroit families, the Black Friday Scholarship Bootcamp is more than an event; it’s a chance to transform lives.
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