About Us

 Inspiring Youth through College Exposure (IYCE) was founded by educators Rico Solomon and Nakoya Solomon, who bring over 30 years of combined experience in education and a God-given passion for serving youth through purposeful exposure to higher education.

Their academic journeys were rooted in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), where both began their paths and developed a strong foundation in leadership, excellence, and service. Their education later expanded across additional institutions, resulting in six academic degrees spanning education, school administration, mathematics, engineering, and data analytics. This diverse foundation allows IYCE to approach college exposure holistically—connecting academics, leadership, STEM, and real-world application.

As educators in North Carolina, Rico and Nakoya have witnessed firsthand how early exposure to college, career pathways, and positive role models can shift a student’s mindset and transform their future. This truth became even more personal as, through intentional exposure, they have seen the impact within their own child—how access, encouragement, and opportunity strengthened his confidence, broadened his vision, and affirmed belief in his God-given abilities.

Rico’s journey as a high school band director ignited a passion to intentionally expose students—many of whom had never stepped foot on a college campus—to possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances. Through college visits, scholarship auditions, and partnerships with collegiate band directors, he witnessed students earn partial to full scholarships, confirming the life-changing power of exposure.

This calling expanded during his time at Statesville Middle School, where Rico founded the College Committee, an initiative designed to expose the entire student body to higher education. Through college fairs, campus visits, collegiate performances, and guest speakers, students were encouraged to dream beyond what they had seen before.

Nakoya stood faithfully alongside Rico, encouraging and strengthening the vision. Together, they extended college exposure efforts into their church and community—organizing trips to the Honda Battle of the Bands, recognizing honor-roll students, hosting youth guest speakers, and arranging multiple visits to South Carolina State University.

Today, IYCE continues this mission through college tours, essay and presentation contests, mini-scholarships, and hands-on STEM experiences, including robotics and coding. Students are exposed to institutions such as North Carolina A&T State University, Winston-Salem State University, and others—helping them envision themselves in spaces they may never have seen before.

Having experienced the impact of exposure both professionally and personally, Rico and Nakoya firmly believe that “kids want to be what they see.” IYCE exists to expand what students see—so they can grow in confidence, discover who God has called them to be, and walk boldly into the future He has prepared for them.

“Write the vision and make it plain…” — Habakkuk 2:2