Hickman Fund Supports Four Rochester Charter School Seniors for College Success

Four Rochester charter school students received inaugural Hickman Fund Awards to support their college plans this fall. The following students were nominated by their charter high schools and received cash awards:

• Erica Cooley of Young Women’s College Prep Charter School received $1,500 and plans to attend the University of Albany.

• Kenyatta Johnson and Antonio O’Neal of University Prep Charter School for Young Men received $750 each and plan to attend Johnson C. Smith University.

• Malachi Jones of Vertus High School received $1,500 and plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University

Administered by the Rochester Community Foundation, Hickman Awards support graduating charter school students to pursue a college education. The fund was established in 2023 to honor Bryan Hickman, executive vice president and co-founder EDceptional, and his unwavering dedication to improving K-12 academic outcomes for children in the City of Rochester. Rochester charter schools enroll more than 8,500 children – or about 30% percent of all of the city’s public school students.

"We are thrilled to recognize the high achievements of these four graduating seniors," said Sebrone O. Johnson, CEO EDceptional. "The Hickman fund underscores our commitment to the educational aspirations of Rochester's charter school students and it is our privilege to support them as they continue to excel at the college level.”

In 2012, Hickman established EDceptional (formerly E3 Rochester), which has evolved to become the only charter school support organization in Rochester focused on improving educational outcomes for students in the city of Rochester. EDceptional’s flagship program, GoodSchoolsRoc.org, provides a centralized website for parents to learn about and apply to all 27 Rochester charter school locations.

"Bryan's visionary work has been instrumental in transforming the lives of students in our community,” said Jim Brush, EDceptional board chair. “For more than a decade he has volunteered his time to advocate for children in Rochester, inspiring many with the belief that all children can learn and succeed.”

EDceptional supports all of Rochester’s 14 charter schools to achieve enrollment goals and academic excellence. Visit EDceptional.org.