Above: Ashley Hill, Founder and Executive Director of The Prep Academy
Ashley Hill knew her acceptance to Dalhousie University was a big deal for her family — she was the first in her household to make it that far, academically. But what she didn’t expect was the flood of calls from her African Nova Scotian community.
“When I was accepted into Dalhousie, members of my community immediately started calling with questions, asking if I could help get their kids into university, I quickly realized there was a desire, need, and a gap to fill,” she said.
Hill describes her own experience as an African Nova Scotian student as one of isolation, academic challenge, and overwhelming pressure to navigate uncharted territory. Today she's using those experiences to rewrite the narrative for others, as the founder of The PREP Academy an organization empowering African Nova Scotian high school students to succeed in post-secondary studies.
Hill’s story, and the ripple effects of her work, speak to a much larger issue. While Black youth in Canada graduate high school at similar rates to their peers, Statistics Canada reports that they are significantly less likely to pursue and complete post-secondary education. They also report that although 94% of Black youth aged 15 to 25 said that they would like to get a bachelor’s degree or higher, only 60% thought that they could.
Hill and her team at The PREP Academy are determined to change that. “It’s not just about getting students into college or university, it’s about showing them they belong there and equipping them to succeed,” she said.
Dekai Beals, right, with other participants of The Prep Academy.
Navigating challenges and building trust
Hill said in high school she was pushed into enrolling for basic non-academic math courses without considering her actual potential. “There was one guidance counselor to 400 students… I fell through the cracks because it was assumed that I had a certain ceiling. What I needed was someone to identify my real abilities,” she said. That encouragement only came later in life when she found an academic advisor with whom she shared common roots and who armed her with the confidence to aim higher.
“I equate this to being a woman and requesting a female doctor. Having a mentor who has gone through the same school system, knows your family, shops at the same grocery stores, listens to the same music and attends the same church… you feel a natural level of trust and safety with that individual,” she said.
Recognizing the need for culturally specific support, Hill envisioned an organization dedicated to African Nova Scotian students. After years in the non-profit sector and even working at a Scotiabank branch for eight years, Hill found her true calling in helping Black youth, and her vision for an organization was born. “It was a clear and simple mission,” said Hill. “Getting youth ready and inspired for college, university and beyond.”
Hill founded The PREP Academy in 2021 with aid from ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank’s $500 million community investment initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups. The $300,000 partnership over three years helps high school students navigate their entry into and throughout their college and university experience, at no cost to them. PREP specifically coaches African Nova Scotian students from grades 10-12 who are born in Nova Scotia, or who have parents or grandparents who are born in Nova Scotia. They can even earn a personal development credit towards high school when they enroll in the High School Cohort Program.
“Thanks to Scotiabank’s partnership we have a full-time dedicated Student Success Coach committed to working one-on-one to help students make decisions, realize their potential, and meet their academic goals,” said Hill. Success Coaches also create customized student pathway plans, provide referrals to appropriate support, plan events and most importantly, follow-up throughout the journey. “Once a PREP student, always a PREP student,” said Hill. “We are there for the whole ride. This is what sets us apart.”
Dekai Beals’ PREP journey
Dekai Beals agrees that he will always be a PREP student after the organization changed the trajectory of his life. “I knew I’d finish high school but never once thought to pursue anything after that,” said Beals.
Dekai Beals
Introduced to PREP by his cousin, the 18-year-old from North Preston joined primarily for the events and trips but quickly realized the program offered much more.
“They helped me with resumes, choosing courses and even applying for scholarships. I didn’t know about any of that before,” he said.
While the experiences were great, it was the practical skills and guidance that left the biggest mark. With PREP’s help, Beals earned a $4,000 scholarship toward his post-secondary studies and secured a paid internship at the Halifax Dockyards, carving out a future in the field of metal fabrication.
“They helped me prepare for the real world of working in a professional environment and made sure I'm ready to handle the responsibility of building ships,” he said.
Hill said by addressing the unique barriers faced by African Nova Scotian students she hopes to create lasting change.
“Whose job was it to help Black students? I realized that role didn't exist, so I tried to fill it,” she said. For students like Beals, it seems Hill’s work is already making a profound impact. “I never thought I'd be here working toward something I'm proud of, let alone getting paid to learn,” Beales said.
