Lance Johnson, Jr., a legacy student at Morehouse College, one of UNCF’s member institutions, was recently awarded a scholarship through the UNCF Best Buy Scholars Program. Johnson is a rising sophomore studying cinema, television and emerging media studies with a minor in theatre.

Receiving support from organizations like UNCF has helped Johnson’s transition into his first year at Morehouse and strengthened his professional development skills. The financial support Johnson received through UNCF’s Best Buy Scholars Program allowed him to focus on becoming acclimated to campus life, building connections with Morehouse faculty and expanding his vision for his career in film.

“The UNCF [Best Buy] scholarship program has made my education smooth and secure,” he said. “It is wonderful knowing that, along with my Morehouse brothers, I have a full team of Best Buy scholars and educators to lean on, especially this past year as a freshman.”

Despite being in a “Spelhouse” family—with a father who graduated from Morehouse and a sister who recently graduated from Spelman College, another UNCF member institution—Johnson wasn’t sure he would attend an HBCU. After touring Morehouse while in high school and experiencing the Morehouse College Glee Club, Johnson knew this was the only choice for him. While listening to the glee club sing, Johnson noticed the group’s unity and passion. Coming from South Carolina, he said there were few Black men who saw their future outside of their present conditions, but at Morehouse, students were striving for greatness.

“I knew in my spirit that missing out on an institution like this would be one of the greatest mistakes of my life,” Johnson shared. “So, I jumped for it with Morehouse being the only college I [applied] for. I stepped out on faith and went all in on Morehouse.”

His most memorable experience was the new student orientation during the parents’ parting ceremony. The traditional Morehouse ceremony prepares students and their parents for the college journey. He describes the ceremony as emotional and heartwarming. “Feeling the love and adoration of every parent, including my own, in the room believing and letting go of each of us in order to allow us to spread our wings and fly towards our destinies is something that makes my tears swell even today,” he said.

Even though Johnson was only a freshman when he first received support from UNCF, he was very active on campus and took the lead in nearly every organization he joined. He has continued his activities and is now a tenor in the glee club, a campus photographer, an actor in theatre and film and a member of the Christian bible studies organization.

In addition to receiving a scholarship, Johnson was selected as a UNCF 2025 Student Leadership Conference ambassador, where he was responsible for curating behind-the-scenes coverage. He credits UNCF conferences and events for providing students with experiences that help them gain confidence and build connections that will help them excel in their careers. “The confidence I have built and cultivated at these events transfers over and becomes a part of my walk in career spaces and places, today as well as in my future,” he said.

Johnson’s advice to students considering applying for UNCF scholarships and programs is clear. “I would say to anyone coming into a UNCF program: never stop dreaming, never stop being you,” he shared. “And go after those career aspirations and goals that you see for yourself.”

UNCF’s scholarship has helped alleviate the financial burden of attending college and provided opportunities for Johnson to network with fellow HBCU students and industry leaders. “It is incredible to know that, in spite of the ever-rising college expenses, my seat at Morehouse will always be covered,” he said.

After graduation, Johnson plans to study film at New York University (NYU) or the University of California, Los Angeles and open his own production studio pursuing faith-based film screenwriting, theatrical directing and musical composition. He is passionate about highlighting underrepresented communities through storytelling.

UNCF is proud of our students and alumni who have received scholarships that help them continue their education and graduate. These scholarships are invaluable to students, and UNCF is accepting donations to support students like Lance Johnson, Jr. in their academic endeavors.

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