BRICKS: Business Rich Interaction, Communication, Knowledge and Support.

BRICKS Program Components:

1. Personal Development Mentoring.
- Each student participant will be matched with business (BCOC) mentor and/or BRIDGES SPONSOR (current BRIDGES scholar) and receive certificate of recognition when required community-based, business and college-related activities have been completed.
- BRICKS participants will participate in planning, development and hosting of Leadership Luncheon annually co-sponsored by BCOC and other affiliate organizations and churches.

2. Academic Support
- Students will participate annually in at least two local college fairs per year in concert with BCOC mentor or BRIDGES sponsor and/or parent. 150-word essay minimum depicting both experiences must be submitted as proof of attendance through sponsor or mentor.
- BRICKS participants will receive professional transcript evaluations and recommended course selections to aid in planning middle and high school academic programs.
- BRICKS participants will receive appropriate referrals to college-based outreach programs designed to increase numbers of college-eligible students from this region where appropriate. BRICKS participants will automatically have names forwarded to Black Chamber member organizations that provide collegiate preparation services and tours.

3. Business Exposure Mentoring
- Exposure to small business, corporate and civic leaders will encourage youth while in middle and high school to continue achieving academic excellence, high levels of community involvement, entrepreneurial exposure and personal growth.
- BRICKS participants and mentors will be eligible to compete, based on increased levels of academic performance, for free tickets to amusement parks, local entertainment and special events.
- Students will be honored at annual recognition luncheon where BCOC mentors and/or BRIDGES sponsors will introduce them to leaders within African-American business, political, religious, and educational communities.
- Outstanding individuals from middle and high school programs respectively will be honored at Orange County’s summer gala, the annual Black Chamber Awards Banquet in the company of many of the region’s most influential individuals and business representatives.