I thank you all for your readership and your support these last 18 months. We love providing these resources to the community and we are committed to do it even better in the months and years ahead.

It is not often that I ask anything for my readership, and in this case, I do not do so for myself. This is a call to my readership, asking for you to support Simmons College of Kentucky with a $5 weekly donation for 52 weeks (one year) as a part of their fundraising initiative “Simmons Is Me!”

It is our belief at Narrow The Gap! that education matters. One of the most incredible, best kept secrets is the emerging and growing Simmons College of Kentucky. In 2014, Simmons became an accredited institution by a U.S. Department of Education-sanctioned organization, and last year was officially designated as America’s 107th HBCU (historically Black college or university).

Those of you that may have known of Simmons as a bible college, the religious studies certificate and degree programs are still there, but Simmons today is so much more. Simmons is a full-fledged liberal arts institution with transferable credit articulation agreements with many colleges throughout the state of Kentucky. Simmons has a NAIA-competing men’s basketball team, coached by former UofL great Jerry Eaves, and also has a Drum Line and Drill Team. In 2016-2017, Simmons will have a competing women’s basketball team and full marching band.

It is my belief that all students deserve the chance to attend college to strengthen their options so that they can succeed in life. Simmons exists to provide underserved students—the stones that the builder refused—and provide them an affordable college education build to increase their life-opportunities.

Simmons Is Me! exists to provide academic opportunity to young men and women desiring a college education, regardless of their status, economic or social means.

The “Simmons is Me!” Campaign is a grassroots national campaign designed to strengthen and sustain the mission of one of America’s oldest private historical Black colleges. Like many of our nation’s 107 historical Black colleges and universities, Simmons provides a high-quality, personalized education to an underserved population at an affordable cost.

Simmons Is Me! is a micro-gift effort to provide ongoing operating expenses for the college as well as a means to grow the college and expand its mission and commitment aspiring students in West Louisville and beyond. Rather than rely upon large corporations and charitable foundations as a sole means of institutional support, Simmons seeks to reach out to the community as a means of support as well. Much can be done for a people if everybody is willing to do a little. Your micro-gift, especially recurring ones guarantee our success in the fulfillment of this critical mission.

If $5 weekly ($260.00 over the course of the year) is too much, whatever you could donate is a blessing. These proceeds go for the continued development of Simmons College of Kentucky, and your donation goes directly to Simmons College. Simmons’ goal is to have 10,000 patrons supporting the 137-year old HBCU.

Be one of the 10,000. Support “Simmons Is Me!” I have included a “Give!” button below that will send you directly to the donation page to give. The page is powered by iDonate.com, a organization with industry-leading security procedures handling financial transactions. If you do not have money, Simmons also has the ability to accept other items of value for donation, including cars, stock, electronics, unused gift cards as well as other items of value. It is an easy process. If you choose to give, please mention "Narrow The Gap!" in the "Team Representative" space as you are filling out the information form. You can also donate by going to simmonsisme.org, but I have included the "Give!" button below that will take you to the donation page. All donations to Simmons College of Kentucky are tax-deductible!

Disclosure: I, Michael R. Hicks, webmaster of this site, am an adjunct faculty member of Simmons College of Kentucky and a fierce advocate for the college. I strongly believe and support what this college is doing for students and the Louisville community.

We of Narrow The Gap! thank you for your continued readership and support! May you all continue to have a blessed and wonderful 2016!