During the mid 1970s, Indianapolis community leaders identified several factors which they believed prohibited or at least severely limited African American youth from achieving, or even aspiring to achieve academic, college and career success. The lack of exposure to the many career opportunities and options available to youth; the lack of awareness of the demands, expectations, and preparation required to excel and take advantage of these great career opportunities; and the absence of a substantial number of African American professionals who could provide this guidance, mentoring, role modeling and simple encouragement all served to stifle the ambitions, hopes, and aspirations of youth.

The mission of the College Prep Institute (CPI) is to advance college admission, persistence and graduation for African American youth, parents and the community by providing services which create educational values and career success. To create one of the nation’s leading community based resource centers that strategically propels high school and college graduation rates, while building a culture of scholarship and learning in African American youth throughout the community.