The HBCU Rising is a National CARES  program designed  to elevate academic literacy, STEM competencies and self-esteem among challenged readers in primarily low-income community schools neighboring Historically Black College  (HBCUs)s campuses. This innovative initiative uses a two-tiered group mentoring model in which corporate volunteers in STEM-related professions coach college students from Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College,  and Spelman College, (HBCUs) who then follow coach and mentor students at our partner Atlanta Public Middle Schools. The college mentors support teachers in science and math classes and gain valuable hands-on teaching experience and form strong relationships with school staff.