BSF and LSF to host 54th annual school fair in Washington

The Black Student Fund and Latino Student Fund will hold their 54th annual School Fair on Oct. 18 at the University of the District of Columbia, bringing more than 70 schools and workshops to families seeking independent-school options. The free event is designed to connect parents and students with admissions, financial aid and enrollment guidance.

Why it matters: - The School Fair gives Black, Latino and underserved families direct access to independent schools that can be hard to find and harder to navigate. - The event connects families with admissions, financial aid and enrollment information that can affect a child’s educational path. - The fair has become the region’s longest-running independent school fair after 54 years.

What happened: - The Black Student Fund and Latino Student Fund will host the 54th Annual School Fair on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. - The event will take place at the University of the District of Columbia Student Center Building 56 in Washington. - The fair will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Admission is free and open to the public. - More than 70 schools and workshops are expected to participate. - Registration is available through Eventbrite tickets for the 54th Annual School Fair.

The details: - Families will be able to meet directly with admissions representatives from leading independent schools. - Families can learn about financial aid, scholarships and affordability. - The fair will offer practical guidance on the independent-school admissions process. - Resources will be available for first-time applicants and families unfamiliar with independent education. - Organizers say the fair is designed to surface educational opportunities many families may not know are available. - Leroy Nesbitt, executive director of the Black Student Fund, said the organizations believe talent exists in every community even when opportunity does not. - Nesbitt said the fair helps close the gap between talent and access.

Between the lines: - The event reflects growing concern among Washington-area families about affordability and educational access. - The fair’s format suggests the main barrier is not only school choice but also information, relationships and confidence in the admissions process. - The organizations are positioning the fair as a pathway from awareness to application, scholarship and enrollment.

What's next: - Families interested in independent-school options can attend the fair on Oct. 18. - Organizers expect the event to continue serving as a gateway for families seeking access to schools and financial aid. - The Black Student Fund and Latino Student Fund will likely build on the fair’s role as an annual entry point for prospective applicants.

The bottom line: - The 54th Annual BSF/LSF School Fair is a free one-stop chance for families to meet schools, compare options and learn how to make independent education more affordable.