A forum Tuesday at the Northeast Georgia History Center will feature an update on the Beulah Rucker Museum and Foundation, and its executive director said the museum plans are going very well.

Rojean Bailey, executive director of the museum and Rucker’s grandson, said the foundation is preparing for its fundraising golf tournament, having wrapped up a recent campaign.

Proceeds from the April 25 golf tournament will go to financial aid for students who wish to further their education, a mission very dear to Rucker.

Beulah Rucker Oliver was born in 1888 in Banks County and dedicated her life to education, including establishing a school, the Beulah Rucker Industrial School, which offered an elementary education to black children.

Rucker’s dedication to education is a mission being carried on by the foundation.

"One of my concerns is that the dropout rate in Gainesville and Hall County is pretty high," Bailey said. "We want kids to get the value of going to school. ... When you graduate from college, it’s hard out there, so you can imagine when you drop out of high school what it’s like."

He said the leadership program that the foundation supports was so successful last year that they plan on having two sessions this year instead of one.

"We set a goal and we try to exceed it," he said. "We just all want to see better things happen for the youth of Hall County."

Bailey also said that the foundation hopes to increase the amount of financial aid it provides to students, some day providing a full scholarship that pays for a student’s tuition, books and room and board.

"What would really make me happy would be to get a kid who has done really good in high school and send them to school — period," Bailey said.

Bailey said Beverly Randolph, secretary of the board of directors, will give the update on the foundation’s progress during Tuesday’s black history forum.

Glen Kyle, director of the history center, said a gospel group called Souls of Calvary will perform as part of the hourlong program, which begins at 7 p.m.

History center members can attend the forum free of charge; it costs $3 for nonmembers.

The Northeast Georgia History Center is at 322 Academy St.