Our Mission

UNCF envisions a nation where all Americans have equal accessto a college education that prepares them for rich intellectual lives, competitive and fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship and service to our nation.

UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of underrepresented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly qualified college graduates and to ensure that our network of member institutions is a respected model of best practices in moving students to and through college.

UNCF’s North Star is to increase the total annual number of African American college graduates by focusing on activities that ensure more students are college-ready, enroll in college and persist to graduation. This is done through a three-pillar strategy:

• Positioning member institutions as a viable college option for students and investing in institutional capacity to improve student outcomes.

• Creating transformational support programs to ensure that students are enrolling and persisting through college completion.

• Building awareness of educational attainment and cultivating college-going behaviors within the African American community.

Telling our Truth, Acknowledging our Wins and Blazing our Path Forward

A Message from the Chair of the Board and the President and CEO

Dear Friend,

Despite the swirling issues affecting our nation, we had another phenomenal year.

For the second year in a row, our fundraising total gifts exceeded $200 million. UNCF’s overall cash support for our member HBCUs was $65 million, up from $42 million the year before. We raised just under $100 million for our strategic impact investment fund (SIIF), which started during fiscal year 2021.

The SIIF campaign has raised $165 million in the two years it has been operating and its impact is far reaching. We exceeded our goals and the SIIF funds contributed to a significant increase in scholarships, emergency student aid, scholarship endowments and capacity building for our member institutions.

In FY 2022, UNCF's Direct Response Program again showed its extraordinary fundraising power and resilience by generating $16 million from individual donors through our direct mail and online engines.

These stellar accomplishments were made possible by the generosity and steadfast support of individual donors, corporate partners and the hard-working UNCF team.

Thanks to strong donor support and the dedicated UNCF team, we continued to deliver on our unwavering mission—building a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of African American students that help them become highly qualified graduates and leaders in our society.

Despite the challenges facing our students and HBCUs in FY 2022, thanks to you, our loyal supporters, partners and donors, UNCF remains steadfast. This annual report highlights several of the amazing accomplishments we have achieved with your help.

As you peruse this report, you’ll read stories that clearly demonstrate how HBCUs fuel the American middle class and elevate the social mobility of Black students—mostly first-generation and from low-income families.

Read stories about financial support UNCF received in FY 2022 from several of our corporate partners, including Burlington, Macy’s, Ralph Lauren and Target.

There’s a story about a fireside chat with 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist and Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul discussing his strong support of HBCUs and how he has worked diligently to create opportunities for the student athletes at these institutions.

We’re also featuring Dr. George T. French, Jr., the fifth president of Clark Atlanta University, the largest UNCF-member institution and the largest private HBCU within the state of Georgia.

As you read through the articles within this annual report, know that your investment of talent, time and treasure is greatly appreciated and valued as we work to support HBCUs, empowering the future generation of diverse, American college-educated talent to lead us all to better futures.

We still have much to do. Two record-setting years of fundraising does not erase decades of societal struggle. So whether you’ve invested in UNCF’s schools and students for years or this is the first time you’re considering joining us, let our more than 78 years of success inspire you to make our indelible motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,”^® your own.

Sincerely,

IMPACT

Dr. George T. French, Jr.: A Man on a Mission

During his first two years as president of UNCF-member Clark Atlanta University (CAU), Dr. George T. French, Jr. stayed focused on helping his students, even amid the pandemic that brought much of the world to a near stand-still. Many students were already dealing with financial and social challenges, and the pandemic added new levels of difficulty. French concentrated on providing ways to help his students during the unprecedented crisis, establishing partnerships to provide free laptops for online learning, paying down student debt and creating a platform so students’ concerns could be immediately heard and addressed while dealing with the stress and uncertainty of COVID-19.

When asked during an interview with The Atlanta Voice about recruitment challenges facing HBCUs in today’s economy, French said, “Within the landscape of HBCUs, we are not monolithic. We have different classes, different missions, we have different capacities. If your choice is between Howard and Clark, truth of the matter is that you don’t have to sell those schools. The question is what kind of financial aid package can you offer the best and the brightest. It’s not that they don’t want to come to CAU; it’s how can we make it advantageous to them financially.

“We know we are in an environment where national debt is up, and student loan debt is increasing exponentially. But the fact of the matter is that when you graduate from a top tier HBCU like Clark Atlanta University, you are going to see the natural return on your investment. We try to keep the dollars down as much as we can. We can’t lower tuition, so we have to increase aid to our students. That is the main challenge when it comes to recruiting,” French added.

When asked for his opinion whether HBCUs are changing fast enough to keep pace with a forever changing workplace, French said, “It is a challenge. We adjust based on the marketplace. We have done well. We need to do better.

“Currently, CAU is keeping up very well with the marketplace in all aspects, whether it’s mass media arts from a journalistic perspective, whether it’s a digital approach, expanding our scope in business to entrepreneurship and innovation; so, we aren’t just training our students to get a job. In education, we have the latest teaching and learning mechanisms. We’ve done well,” he said. “We can do better in the STEM disciplines and in some of the hard research areas, and we will do better with more financial support from the federal government.”

French’s outstanding leadership and dedication, and his steadfast commitment to HBCUs and their students, has been highly regarded, from his current post at Clark Atlanta University, to his former post at UNCF-member Miles College. In October 2022, French began his tenure as Chair of the UNCF Institutional and Individual Members.

Clearly, a man on a mission.

IMPACT

UNCF—More Historic Progress a Persistent Advocate for HBCUs during FY 2022

In May, UNCF Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs Lodriguez V. Murray testified before the House Appropriations Committee. In this testimony, he outlined HBCU priorities, including the following:

• Increasing institutional support, the Title III Strengthening HBCUs Program, to no less than the authorized $400 million level so that all HBCUs feel the program’s continued financial growth
• Double the maximum Pell Grant award to assist minority and low-income students from its current $6,345 to $13,000
• Significantly increase funding and investments for technology and research at HBCUs to spur job creation and innovation
• Passing the HBCUs IGNITE Excellence Act, which provides desperately needed repairs and renovations for HBCU campus buildings and research facilities across the United States

While there were successes, including the HBCU inclusion in President Biden’s February 2022 State of the Union Address, there were continued challenges. Bomb and other threats lodged against HBCUs took a major toll on staff time and resources. UNCF threaded the needle on how to laud the Biden Administration for being possibly—in only two years’ time—the best presidential administration for HBCUs ever while still holding the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) accountable to make meaningful arrests, deterring others from threatening HBCUs. UNCF was front and center on both efforts, a task that would have been left undone without its leadership.

As the crown on an otherwise successful year, the President’s debt relief program for student loan borrowers is a landmark accomplishment. President Biden initially planned to provide $10,000 in debt relief qualifying borrowers. However, UNCF alone made the case that those who need the most relief should receive the most. Through its government affairs efforts, the organization insisted a “rising tide floats all boats” effort would not provide equity and advancement for high percentage of HBCU students and graduates who come from lower economic backgrounds and struggled to finance their education. The Biden administration then adopted the UNCF approach of providing double the relief—$20,000–for Pell Grant recipients. When this debt relief is finally achieved, it will be a significant step for those not looking for a handout, but a long-deserved hand up.

Government relations, often political, is a touchy subject. However, by making the case for the virtuous HBCUs which have long been underfunded and the students who daily strengthen our nation, UNCF has been successful, making a real difference for those who need it most.

IMPACT

Drawing National Attention: UNCF Research Confirms HBCUs are a Solid Investment, Fueling the American Middle Class

The FDPRI report entitled, HBCUs Transforming Generations: Social Mobility Outcomes for HBCU Alumni, caught the attention of the Wall Street Journal. "Hard data about the value of a particular degree can be hard to come by. That's why a new study on historically Black colleges and universities is encouraging. The report was released by the United Negro College Fund’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute," the Journal wrote.

"It finds that HBCUs are an under-appreciated vehicle for upward mobility for their overwhelmingly African American students. HBCUs developed in an era when discrimination, often government sanctioned, prevented many blacks from attending college. But the schools continue to prosper because they deliver a quality education that prepares students of any race to succeed in life. As a ticket to the middle class, they also help keep the American Dream alive," the Journal wrote.

"This is the first time in my memory when a newly released UNCF research report received attention from the Wall Street Journal," said UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax.

"This report offers an equity-centered approach to understanding higher education outcomes for underserved students. The goal of a college degree is to fuel factual learning, maturity and growth and economic prosperity. Our research shows HBCUs contribute mightily to our well-being as a nation," said FDPRI Director Dr. Nadrea Njoku.

"Investment in HBCUs builds institutions that are primary drivers of success for historically marginalized people. Contributing to the advancement of an HBCU directly influences the continued improvement of economic outcomes for Black Americans—and by extension, our society-at-large," Njoku added.

According to the report, social mobility has emerged as a primary measure for understanding the return on investment for the families of college students as well as society more broadly. The report illustrated the effectiveness of HBCUs with educating African Americans and leading them to higher earnings after graduating from college.

HBCUs are a solid investment as the primary drivers for moving Black Americans from poverty to the middle class. And that investment helps ensure Better Futures^® for us all.

IMPACT

UNCF partners with The Steve Fund to Support the Mental Health and Wellness of Black College Students

To address this situation, UNCF established a partnership with The Steve Fund, the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.

Through the partnership, UNCF and The Steve Fund launched a newly established mental health initiative with customized strategies, content, programs, resources and events all designed to build knowledge and establish a community of action around mental health and emotional well-being of students, faculty and staff on HBCU and PBI campuses.

The partnership kicked off with a survey to announce the new initiative, which was distributed to HBCU students, faculty and staff to gauge the state of mental health on HBCU campuses. The organization received responses from 342 students and 419 faculty and staff representing 47 HBCUs. Among the findings:

• Students, faculty and staff all agree the top three mental health concerns for college students are: stress, anxiety and depression
• More than 65% of students shared that in a mental health crisis, they are most likely to speak to friends or family members
• While 83% of students believe their campuses are addressing mental health and well-being, 45% of students surveyed said they would not speak to anyone if they were in a mental health crisis
• An overwhelming majority of students, faculty and staff shared that they would like to keep informed on resources about mental health and well-being, yet 25% faculty/staff shared there is no training available about student mental health and wellness
• 72% of students are aware of their options for mental health counseling through their college/university, but only 52% feel comfortable visiting the university counseling center when a mental health issue arises

Nearly 70% of students expressed a desire to be informed about resources and events

regarding emotional well-being. Students reported that their campuses were addressing their mental health needs moderately well to extremely well. Most faculty and staff respondents welcomed increased support for and awareness of mental health resources for the entire campus community. Additionally, when asked whether they believed there were barriers preventing students from receiving adequate mental health care, faculty and staff were evenly split with 51% believing barriers do not exist.

“The Steve Fund is working to position UNCF students to achieve optimal mental health by equipping them with the skills, tools and knowledge they need to thrive as young adults, scholars and leaders,” says Dr. Annelle Primm, senior medical director at The Steve Fund. “Through our collaboration with UNCF, the Steve Fund expands its important partnership with higher education to foster the emotional well-being of students of color through productive dialogue, effective policies and successful promotion of access to potent, culturally salient resources. It is imperative that the Steve Fund supports HBCUs in their critical mission. Our partnership in the mental health initiative is a strategic investment which will enhance cultivation of student potential and success.”

The objectives of the new partnership are to:

• Reduce stigma and promote knowledge, dialogue, awareness and around the mental health needs of HBCU and PBI students
• Engage HBCU campus leaders and mobilize a commitment to prioritize mental health support systems and services on their campuses
• Provide curated mental health recommendations to help HBCU and PBI administrators support their students
• Support HBCU and PBI institutions in their vitally important mission by assisting them as they promote student potential and success
• Provide the necessary tools, resources and supports HBCU and PBI students need to remain or become mentally well so they can advance their personal goals to matriculate through college and become the future leaders of tomorrow

“As America continues to battle the pandemic, this devastating disease has revealed just how much work we must do to provide adequate support to students, faculty and staff on HBCU campuses. We already know that the students we serve, and their educators must respond to generational trauma, racism and disinvestment to thrive—each of these challenges takes a toll on student and faculty mental health. Our schools and institutions need support to develop new and sustainable ways to provide care, mentorship and compassion to its students, staff and community members,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “Through this partnership with the Steve Fund, we will begin to develop programs and resources that will help aid HBCUs and others in an effort to create an environment conducive to mental health and the emotional well-being of students.”

IMPACT

UNCF’s Target Scholars Program Supporting the Next Generation of Black Talent

In March 2022, Target made an additional investment to support the Target Scholars Program by offering an additional $10,000 per scholar over the next three years to support the completion of their degrees.

For more than 20 years, Target has been a committed partner in helping UNCF achieve its important mission of supporting more HBCU students to get to and through college.

In addition to the scholarship funding, the Target Scholars Program provides students with demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in technology, leadership or design with four years of academic support as well as ongoing mentoring, internship opportunities, networking and more throughout their college career.

The Target Scholars Program fuels UNCF’s ability to move the needle further for deserving, talented students who want to earn degrees but lack the resources to do so.

One of the key benefits for students participating in the Target Scholars Program is immediate access to dedicated college success coaches who deliver frequent and intentional engagement aimed at supporting the academic progress and professional development of Target Scholars. Engagement is geared toward acclimating students to the college experience and preparing them for key college milestones throughout their post-secondary experience to avoid barriers to persistence and completion.

“Target has proudly worked with UNCF and HBCUs for years, and we’re excited to deepen our partnership and support to make college more affordable for the next generation of Black talent,” said Ron Brown, vice president of community impact at Target. “We’re looking forward to working alongside these students, providing support to help them succeed during and after college, and look forward to seeing the positive impact they are sure to have in their professional endeavors.”

INNOVATE

Changing Lives: The Motor City Delivers Virtually in 2021

The 33rd annual UNCF Detroit Walk for Education was conducted virtually Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. The morning began with a live program thanking presenting sponsor Ford Motor Company and acknowledging master's sponsors, AAA – The Auto Club Group and Emagine Entertainment, bachelor's sponsors Comerica Bank and Henkel Corporation, and the many volunteers who helped make the virtual walk a success amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The program also included trophy presentations for the top fundraising teams in the following categories: Greek organizations, medium size corporations, and large corporations. The program gave also gave participants the option to participate in a virtual warm-up and then were asked to move for at least 30 minutes—simulating the annual in-person walk experience. The 33rd annual UNCF Detroit Virtual Walk for Education's fundraising goal was $500,000. Thanks to the unwavering support of the Michigan community, the event raised a stunning $694,000! And that’s how you build better futures for us all.

INNOVATE

Another Exceptional Year: UNCF's Direct Response Fundraising Program Charges Ahead

UNCF received 171,200 gifts from individuals in the form of checks and online donations. The average gift was $93, and the median gift was $25. This shows the great commitment of our UNCF donors, friends and supporters to its mission.

The past three fiscal years have shown tremendous growth via direct response efforts. In 2020 and 2021, everyone careened through the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its attendant high unemployment rates and worldwide shutdowns through social and racial justice demonstrations, and a presidential election and its aftermath. Since that time, heartrending issues of gun violence, high inflation and challenges to women's and voting rights have all carried the uncertainty of the times forward.

Yet through the large and small social upheavals, UNCF’s donors, friends and supporters remained loyal. They acted without fail on their concern for UNCF students and how this world with its new normal will affect students’ pursuit of their college degrees. With their eyes on the future, donors’ generous gifts came in steadily and allowed UNCF to do more for our students and colleges than the year before.

Gifts that come in through UNCF’s direct response program support student scholarships and distributions to our schools to help them keep their costs affordable to our student populations. These gifts support tuition, room and board, books, laptops, PPE and fees for our students; and faculty development, infrastructure development and administrative support for UNCF-member HBCUs.

As the organization has learned, a small gift of $25, given from the heart truly does add up. Together, donors large and small continue to give online and through the mail, enabling UNCF to live up to the power of its motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."^®

INNOVATE

“Imparting Wisdom”—and Extending Lessons from HBCUs to K-12 Schools in Indianapolis

In addition to engagement work with stakeholders in Washington, DC, the team continues to deepen its relationship with the education community through several community conversation events aimed at building HBCU-K12 partnerships and promoting educational equity.

UNCF co-hosted a community conversation in Indianapolis with the Mind Trust entitled, “Imparting Wisdom in the Circle City” in March 2021 that served as the discussion point for UNCF’s report, “Imparting Wisdom: HBCU Lessons for K-12 Education.” The conversation also served as a platform for engagement and exploration of the role of African American students, leaders and voices—specifically HBCUs—in K-12 education improvement efforts. The panel included African American district leaders and advocates in the K-12 sector.

Additionally, UNCF in partnership with Stand for Children and The Mind Trust, hosted another community conversation in June 2021 that focused on current research and recommendations related to school safety and school resource officers. The panel represented Indianapolis students, families and community leaders who shared their experiences working on the issue.

In July 2021, UNCF coordinated and participated in a panel for the Indiana Black Expo-Indiana University Education Conference. The panel focused on the Imparting Wisdom report, discussing key lessons from HBCUs for the K-12 sector. Terrance Dixon, vice president of enrollment management and student success, Shaw University, provided key insights that drove the discussion with tangible examples, while Sekou Biddle, UNCF’s Vice President, Advocacy and Student Professional Development Programs; and Dr. Meredith Anderson, UNCF Director of K-12 Research, presented key learnings from the report. Nearly 350 people attended the virtual event.

As a follow-up, during March 2022, the K-12 Advocacy team released, “Black Students and Indianapolis Schools: A Data Snapshot,” a brief that focuses on the educational landscape for Black students in Marion County in Indianapolis. The publication covered issues such as college readiness, opportunity gaps teacher diversity and student achievement outcomes.

Through its K-12 Advocacy team, UNCF’s commitment to helping K-12 students become college-ready is a true innovation that ensures better futures for us all.

INNOVATE

UNCF Lighting Pathways: Inspiring HBCU Students to Achieve Better Futures in Asset Management

According to The American College and the Certified Financial Planners (CFP) Board, African Americans only make up 5% of financial advisors and 2% of certified planners, even though African Americans represent 13.4% of the U.S. population.

To address the disparity and lack of Black talent in asset management, UNCF launched the UNCF Lighted Pathways initiative providing scholarships and internships to African American undergraduate students interested in the investment management industry. In partnership with the CFA Society of Boston and nearly 30 investment management firms in Massachusetts, UNCF Lighted Pathways aims to create a career pathway to attract, develop and retain Black talent for the asset management industry.

Keon Holmes, CFA, managing director, Cambridge Associates, and co-chair for UNCF New England’s Leadership Council said, “African Americans make up less than 2% of all asset management roles in our country. We need to do better. We will never eliminate the wealth gap for African Americans unless we have more professionals in the industry that can positively impact their communities.”

The Lighted Pathways Program began with a summer series of informational classes for students to learn more about the industry and the importance of asset management in everyday life. More than 500 students enrolled in the program with an incentive of receiving one of 37 $5,000 scholarships to be awarded or one of 30 paid internships with the additional coverage for travel and housing in Boston for the summer of 2022.

Highlighting the Lighted Pathways initiative in FY 2022, UNCF hosted a virtual summit for college students of color interested in asset management that featured a keynote fireside chat session moderated by Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, then-president, Spelman College, with panelists Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and chief executive officer, TIAA, and Ryan Williams, co-founder and chief executive officer, Cadre.

Sponsors for UNCF’s Lighted Pathways Program include presenting sponsors, Adage Capital Management, LP, Baupost, Fidelity and Wellington Management; champion sponsors, Abry Partners, Morgan Stanley/Eaton Vance and State Street; corporate partners, Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Cambridge Associates, Citizens Bank, Forester Capital, GMO, Income Research + Management, JLL, JP Morgan Chase, Payden & Rygel, RBC Global Asset Management and Sentinel Dome Partners; and corporate supporters, Acadian Asset Management, Boston Trust Walden, Cambridge Trust, CIBC Wealth Management, Eastern Bank, Geode Capital, Loomis, Sayles & Company, MFS Investment Management, MIT Investment Management, Prime Buchholz, LLC, and Westfield Capital Management, LP.

Through the Lighted Pathways Program, UNCF inspires, educates and empowers young people by supporting personal and professional development, driving company performance and providing the asset management industry the talent they need to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

INNOVATE

The UNCF National Faith and Education Initiative: Fanning the Flame that Started it All

Throughout the year, UNCF works with churches and faith groups across the country to implement UNCF Sundays, a day of financial support to HBCUs from congregations, culminating on a specific Sunday in February. In 2022, UNCF Sunday was Feb. 27. This is part of the overall UNCF National Faith and Education Initiative.

“What many don’t realize is that nearly all of today’s historically Black colleges and universities—our wonderful HBCUs—whether they’re part of UNCF or are now state-funded HBCUs, were started as missions of the church,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “They began as teaching schools to help freed Black men and women and escaped slaves to learn how to read and write and give them the basic skills to get ahead in life. That is why, even today, our HBCUs are precious, vital resources that continue to deliver on their mission, supporting those that need education and help them succeed and even the playing field.”

As part of building out the re-envisioned faith fundraising campaign, UNCF sought support from prominent ministers, clergy and other religious leaders to help inspire churches from many denominations and beliefs to coalesce around a common cause—ensuring UNCF has the resources to support HBCUs and the students that attend them. This group of new faith leaders is the UNCF National Faith and Education Initiative Advisory Council. The council provides leadership to support UNCF Sunday and other activities to involve churches in UNCF activities. The current council members are:

• Yolanda Adams, award-winning Gospel artist and education advocate
• Rev. Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, president, Southwest Regional Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
• Bishop Roy E. Campbell, Jr., auxiliary bishop, Archdiocese of Washington, Catholic Church
• Bishop Michael Curry, presiding Bishop and primate, The Episcopal Church
• Rev. John C. Dorhauer, general minister and president, United Church of Christ
• Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale, senior pastor, Ray of Hope Church, Decatur, GA
• Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop, United Methodist Church, South Carolina Conference
• Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, stated clerk of the general assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)
• Rev. Joel Osteen, senior pastor, Lakewood Church, Houston, TX
• Rev. David Peoples, president, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
• Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr., senior bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Bishop J. Drew Sheard, presiding bishop, Church of God in Christ
• Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr., senior bishop, Piedmont District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
• Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III, presiding bishop, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International
• Dr. Alyn E. Waller, senior pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA
• Rev. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond, president, New York Theological Seminary
• Dr. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor, Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA
• Dr. Jerry Young, president, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

“There may not have been a greater success story than the story of our HBCUs in this country providing education for those who might not have had an opportunity for it, providing education for those receiving it for the first generation, making it possible to find a way out of no way. Stand up to emancipate the mind and to participate in making this a better world for all. That is the work of our historically Black colleges and universities,” said Bishop Michael Curry, presiding bishop and primate, The Episcopal Church.

By engaging the faithful, the UNCF National Faith and Education Initiative helps ensure HBCUs remain viable and that talented, deserving students have the funds to get to and through college. Visit UNCF.org/FaithCampaign for more information.

INSPIRE

Understanding Why HBCUs: A Fireside Chat with NBA All-Star and HBCU Supporter Chris Paul

Now, that’s Chris Paul on the court.

Off the court, Paul has been a committed supporter of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and has diligently worked to create opportunities for the student athletes at these institutions.

Paul sat with UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax for a “fireside chat” to discuss the role of professional athletes in supporting the growth and development of HBCUs and the students they serve.

“UNCF is thrilled to host this fireside chat with Chris Paul, who uplifts HBCUs through classes, scholarships and activism to highlight the historical and cultural importance of the institutions, current students and their alumni,” said Lodriguez V. Murray, senior vice president at UNCF, who arranged the event. “This is the beginning of a long-term partnership between UNCF and Chris Paul.”

When asked why he supports HBCUs, Paul said, “I’m always trying to support organizations that share common interests, common goals and they want to give back. I am grateful for UNCF for giving me the opportunity to use my voice to support HBCUs.”

Paul, an active philanthropist and entrepreneur, explained he has actively supported HBCUs for years. He was appointed to President Joe Biden's advisory board on HBCUs. Paul executive produced both “Why Not Us: North Carolina Central Basketball” and “Why Not Us: FAMU Football” for ESPN+. Paul also partnered with the Harvard Business School to bring its entertainment, media and sports program to select HBCUs to develop a pipeline for students pursuing careers in those industries. He launched HBCU voting initiatives to encourage students to vote during past elections and partnered with Sour Patch Kids and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to create The Mischief for Change Scholarship, a college scholarship fund with a $1 million commitment over the next five years for students attending HBCUs. And, to top it off, Paul is currently working towards a degree at Winston-Salem State University, where both of his parents attended, and his brother played basketball at Hampton University.

“Our new generation of donors to UNCF are led by people who are in the public spotlight, like athletes who believe that they have a responsibility and an opportunity to help. And that’s why we love this man. He’s doing such great things to tell our story and to get more support for us. And that’s why we need people like Chris Paul,” said Lomax.

Legends like Chris Paul understand how UNCF and HBCUs make difference for their students and the community. His investment in HBCUs will certainly help ensure better futures for all of us.

INSPIRE

Look out America! Here comes Aspiring Journalist Caylin Carter

“The excitement I received from producing a body of work was like no other, and that’s how I knew the world of media was for me,” said Carter, who was raised in Columbus, GA, and attended Hardaway High School.

Carter took her passion to UNCF-member Clark Atlanta University, where she is an aspiring journalist and senior mass media arts major with a minor in history.

Carter had another experience in her youth that had a major impact on her life.

“Growing up I helped take care of my older disabled sister. Sometimes taking care of her along with my other responsibilities was overwhelming. I helped as much as possible by taking my sister to her doctor’s appointments, making sure she took her medicine and helping her navigate around our home when she did not have a nurse’s aide,” recalled Carter.

“It was clear that when it was time for college, my single mother would not have the means to assist. With the assistance of scholarships from UNCF, a financial burden was taken off me and my family. In addition to helping take care of my sister I’ve also worked since I was 16 years old. During COVID, I worked at Lowe’s and interned for CNN commentator Angela Rye all while taking 18 credits online at Clark. Sometimes I would take Lyfts to work because unfortunately I couldn’t afford a car.”

As a first-generation college student, it was important to Carter to attend an institution that would take her education as seriously as she did.

“That is why regardless of my financial situation, I chose to attend Clark Atlanta University. I went into Clark on an academic scholarship which has helped pay for my education, but beyond that, I honestly did not know how I was going to afford all four years. I knew that money was out there and that the resources were available, so every time I saw a new posting for a scholarship on the UNCF website, I was sure to apply,” said Carter.

“After applying to several scholarships, I was fortunate enough to receive scholarships from FedEx, Footlocker, Panda Express, Jack and Jill and the Eugene Craig Foundation—all which allowed me to attend Clark Atlanta completely debt free. I have been receiving scholarships from UNCF since I was a freshman. Each year I received $40,000 which equates to $160,000 over four years.”

With a financial burden being removed, Carter was able to focus on her classes and prepare for her broadcast journalism career. Her junior year she earned a place on the Dean’s List with a 3.6 GPA. She is a “Business Chronicle 20 Under 20” award recipient. She had the opportunity to be a part of Clark Atlanta’s NAACP chapter, serve as Miss Empowerment on Clark Atlanta’s UNCF Royal Court, president of the National Association of Black Journalists chapter on her campus and many more organizations. She plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism with hopes of being an investigative reporter. As a result of her passion, she landed an internship at The Atlanta Voice.

“I plan to use my degree and the opportunities presented by the UNCF to change the slanted media currently on display and make an impact in journalism to more positively cover my community and change the narrative about African Americans,” said Carter.

“On behalf of myself and all the students that have applied and received scholarships from the UNCF, thank you for creating this amazing organization. I will forever be indebted to you,” said Carter. “I want you to know that because of the support I received from UNCF, I am completely debt free. If it wasn’t for UNCF, I would have had lots of loans. I am grateful that God saw the need for an organization like UNCF that helps students like me.”

INSPIRE

John and Sally Davenport: Legacy UNCF Donors Investing in HBCUs to Achieve a Better Future for America

The Massachusetts-based couple has been supporting UNCF since the 1980s. They both recall the iconic UNCF television commercials from the 1970s and 1980s and Lou Rawls championing the cause of UNCF and its world-renowned motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”^®

UNCF’s messaging made an impression on both of them. Sally spent time in advertising and said her father, also an advertiser, often spoke of the importance of messaging and told her the reason advertising companies didn’t go out of business during the Great Depression was enough because businesses understood the need for advertising. “The advertising business did not do too badly in the Depression because businesses knew that if they stopped advertising, they were dead,” Sally recalled.

John said Lou Rawls was the man on TV who first introduced him to UNCF. “I probably wouldn’t have heard of UNCF if it were not for him. He was the man.”

Both John and Sally said their experiences growing up helped them to appreciate the value of Black higher education. Sally attended the all-women Smith College, learning firsthand how women could perform just as well as men in leadership positions. She said that she probably wouldn’t have had those experiences if she had attended a co-ed college.

“So, from there, I gleaned the notion that a college for just women was very helpful in those days, the kind of pre feminist days because, as I'm always saying to John, ‘You know, in a co-ed school, who is going to run the student government?’ The answer is the guys! They are going to have the experience of going to law school and getting into graduate school,” she said.

“At a woman's school, we ran the student government. So, I know there's a parallel with African American students. I realized that if there's a parallel, attending an African American school can be probably more helpful to African American students for their self-esteem, self-confidence and learning things that they might not have learned as a minority member of a White school.”

When Sally graduated from Smith College, she went to work for the Anti-Defamation League in 1965. “I remember thinking in 1965, ‘Why are we worried about prejudice? That should be over for African American people.’ Well, I was proven wrong about that. And I think we've now all been awakened even beyond what I knew in those days about the problems of racism and inequality facing African Americans.”

John recalled his student days at Amherst College. “Literally, there were three African American students in my class and no more than four or five in the entire student body. Today, Amherst has made great strides to diversify its student population. I am proud to say that most of the student body is now minority. The campus is diverse and with a different atmosphere, different everything,” noted John.

After graduating from Amherst, John spent a year in the U.S Army. He would go on to practice law in Manhattan and later Boston before retiring in 1999. Today, in addition to supporting UNCF, he is a volunteer with an environmental advocacy group called the Conservation Law Foundation in all six New England states.

The Davenports believe that today there is an even greater need to support UNCF and its mission, which is also supported by their adult children.

“Given current attacks on our democracy and everything else that is going on in our society, we are hopeful that organizations like UNCF can make a difference and change perceptions about racial and economic equality,” said Sally. “Our kids are entirely on board. Education is certainly a big part of changing those perceptions.”

The Davenports only wish more of their friends would become donors. “It’s bad for society in general to have a segment of minds going to waste,” said Sally. “I can think of a couple of good friends to whom I would like to say, ‘You know, you're not giving enough money away.’”

“UNCF can make the case far better than we can,” they both said. “We’re going to continue supporting your mission because it’s the right thing to do and our country desperately needs more educated men and women, both Black and White, to help our country overcome racial and economic disparities and build a better life experience for future generations.”

The Davenports are a true inspiration. Their selfless act of giving to UNCF to ensure that talented, deserving students of all backgrounds can get to and through college helps lead the way to better futures for us all.

INSPIRE

UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® Raises $2.3M+ for HBCUs

The event featured “Black-ish” actress and activist Jenifer Lewis; philanthropist, TV host and physician Dr. Ian Smith; Grammy^®-nominated artist, DJ and entrepreneur MC Lyte, and others.

“The outpouring of support for this year’s UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education was phenomenal and reflects the growing support of HBCUs and their students. Though virtual, it was one of our best, thanks in large measure to the enormous support we received from our partners and friends from across the nation,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.

The impressive event’s success was largely due to the overwhelming support from individual participants and national sponsors including The Coca-Cola Company, Global Payments, Spotify, Wellington Management, Arch, Bayer, Colgate-Palmolive Company and Lowe’s.

The National Virtual Walk for Education proved for a second year in a row that an investment in HBCUs is an investment in better futures.

INSPIRE

Volunteers Leading the way to Champion UNCF and HBCU Missions

It’s that spirit of volunteerism that has helped fuel the success of UNCF since its founding in 1944. UNCF deeply appreciates the thousands of volunteers who support its mission to build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of underrepresented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly qualified college graduates.

Inspirational volunteers like the ones featured here truly make a difference. Thank you for your continued support of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their students. You make better futures for our nation possible. Benny and Nikki Agosto believe in giving back and supporting education and they encourage others to do so. “Nikki and I are honored to be part of UNCF. We believe in giving back and in education. We are definitely blessed,” said Benny Agosto, Jr., after presenting a $100,000 donation to support UNCF. “This gift gives us the opportunity to support the students, as well as the efforts of UNCF. We encourage others to do the same.”

Agosto joined the UNCF Houston Leadership Council in 2014 and was chair of its gala in Fiscal Year 2022.  He is a partner in Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner law firm in Houston. He also served as president of the Houston Bar Association, 2019-2020; and is the founder and president of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas Foundation.

UNCF Upstate (SC) Leadership Council Chair Carlos Phillips, president and CEO, Greenville Chamber, is an avid volunteer and financial supporter of UNCF-member institutions and other HBCUs. For the past five years, he has been a committed advocate for advancing the work of UNCF and its member schools. He has doubled the amount of money raised in the Upstate area and has helped to increase awareness about UNCF, its member schools and their students. Through his relationships with the business community, he has challenged businesses to engage with our HBCUs and their students to increase their talent pool and to help achieve their diversity, equity and inclusion goals.

Terry Williams had served on the UNCF Houston Leadership Council for nearly 20 years before recently retiring. As a vice president at H-E-B in Houston, TX, Williams has been instrumental in securing the company’s support for all major UNCF events, including the National Gala, Walk for Education and numerous luncheons, and helped create a scholarship program. As past chair of the Houston Leadership Council, Williams was an advocate for his hometown area of Beaumont/Port Arthur and insisted that “we cast a wider net” to bring in friends and donors from secondary markets. Under his leadership, the Beaumont/Port Arthur community hosted several “UNCF An Evening of Stars”^® events where people came together to make personal gifts to UNCF. Through his many years of volunteerism, Williams has helped raise more than $900,000 for the local Houston UNCF office.

Newspaper publisher Francis Page, Jr., has been on the UNCF Houston Leadership Council for 20 years. He stepped into his father's seat and retired in December 2022 from the council. Paige is a staple in the community when it comes to sharing the news and happenings. As the publisher of the local newspaper, Paige is always helping to spread the word about what UNCF is doing and how we impact students and HBCUs. He helped get the Houston Astros support during FY 2022. By leveraging his connections and ties to the city, Paige has opened doors to business owners and managers and elected officials who have been instrumental in advancing UNCF's mission.

Bryce Kennard, manager of government affairs at Comcast and a former UNCF Houston Leadership Council Chair, has been very influential in helping to bring in donations from supporters and friends since joining the council in 2014. He is a Morehouse College graduate. Through his company, Kennard has approved sponsorships of the UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education, the Houston “A Mind Is…®” Gala and UNCF events for the past few years. As a young professional and a product of UNCF, Kennard is committed to serving UNCF by being an influencer and connector. Whenever called on, Kennard offers solutions, ideas and feedback to help reach raise unrestricted funds. Through the years, he has also helped secure both $100,000 in cash and in-kind support in the form of PSAs from Comcast.

UNCF New Orleans volunteer Donell Williams, contractor safety management lead for Shell’s Gulf of Mexico Operations and an MBA graduate, has worked for Shell for 20 years in various roles both locally and internationally. He has served as the Shell team captain for the New Orleans UNCF Walk for Education for more than six years. His team has raised more than $140,000 over those years and maintains team rosters of at least 100 members each year. He has supported UNCF by bringing the organization’s story to life and delivering a clear vision of why the organization matters. Williams is a strong advocate for higher education with a personal interest in donating time to buoy organizations like UNCF.

INVEST

Donating While You Shop: Burlington Raised More than $2M from its Customers for UNCF

Funds raised provided scholarships for students in financial need to attend colleges nationwide and support UNCF’s 37 member historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The donation was made possible by the generous contributions from customers at more than 760 Burlington store locations nationwide, and underscored Burlington’s continued commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality.

Each year, UNCF has helped increase the number of students of color attending college by distributing approximately $83 million in scholarships to students each year. According to UNCF statistics, 68% of all UNCF HBCU undergraduate students came from families whose income was low enough that they received Pell Grants, the federal government’s principal low-income student aid program, compared to 38% of their non-HBCU peers. The funds raised by Burlington customers helped students take the next step in their educational journey and attend college—opening doors to a brighter future.

“At Burlington, we’re proud to have partnered with UNCF to create future diverse leaders and appreciate the generosity of our customers and associates in helping to make promising students’ dreams of going to college a reality,” said Michael O’Sullivan, CEO of Burlington Stores. “We value and leverage the knowledge, skills and attributes of our diverse workforce, which allows us to be responsive to the needs of our diverse customers and communities that we serve.”

Through investments and partnerships like this one, UNCF can fuel students’ growth and development to help them—and all of us—achieve better futures.

INVEST

Through “Black History, Black Brilliance,” Macy’s Raises nearly $1.4M for Scholarships

Throughout the month of February, Macy’s customers directly impacted and empowered the next generation of Black leaders in local communities nationwide through the charitable round-up campaign. Customers donated online or rounded-up their in-store purchase amount and contributed the extra change, up to 99 cents, to UNCF.

The campaign resulted in nearly $1.4 million to support the mission of UNCF. More than 1 million of the dollars raised funded establishing the Macy’s Brighter Futures Scholarship which will provide 181 scholarships of up to $5,000 to students attending HBCUs.

UNCF Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr. expressed gratitude to Macy’s and their customers for helping more students realize their dreams to attend college sharing that “this campaign demonstrated how small gifts matter because all students matter. When you invest in HBCUs and their students you invest in the future of America. HBCUs are proven engines of social and economic mobility for thousands of low-income and first-generation college students.”

Through Macy’s generous efforts, students in need will receive the support to get to and through college. That’s the kind of impact that ensures better futures for our nation.

INVEST

UNCF and Edward Waters University host Inaugural Jacksonville Mayor’s Masked Ball

A relentless champion of HBCUs throughout her tenure, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole was honored with the Champion of Education Award at the event, and Edward Waters University students Brianna Pendergrass and Davon Davis delivered passionate remarks about their school’s impact on their ability to succeed.

Davon noted, “We have all heard the saying, ‘Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.’ My 90% involves graduating valedictorian of my high school class and making the decision to attend Edward Waters University on a full scholarship as a first-generation college student. During my tenure, so far, at Edward Waters University, I serve as Freshman Class President, I am a presidential scholar and an honors college scholar. And this is just the beginning for me.”

The event was a smashing success. Highlighting the outstanding synergy between the city, the school and UNCF, Curry noted, “It was an honor to work with UNCF and Edward Waters University to bring the Mayor’s Masked Ball to Jacksonville. I look forward to continuing to grow this event to benefit students throughout our community.”

Sponsors of the inaugural Mayor’s Masked Ball included Sissine’s Office Systems, the Leb Family Foundation, CSX, Florida Blue, Ellucian, Follett, FIS, JTA and The SAC Collective. The event’s media partners were ActionNews JAX and iHeart Radio.

Everyone who supported the event know that their talents and treasure were given in earnest support of the ensuring better futures for all of us. And, that’s an impact you cannot underestimate.

INVEST

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Contributes $3M to Fund Scholarships for Black Students

In that spirit, UNCF began partnering with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) during FY 2022. The church contributed $3 million for scholarships to support Black college students for three years.

“Black students will go to college with $3 million in scholarships funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” LDS President Russell M. Nelson announced in a joint news conference on June 14, 2021, with UNCF and others.

“Together, we want to make a difference,” Nelson said.

UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax hailed the news. “I’m particularly excited that I am here today on behalf of the United Negro College Fund to join in partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints … in these three bold and important initiatives that will do so much to end the sense of marginalization and separation and pronounce our commitment to cooperation, partnership, shared humanity and love.”

In addition to the scholarship funds, the church announced it was donating $6 million in humanitarian aid over three years to inner cities in the United States, and as well as a fellowship to send up to 50 students to Ghana to learn about Black American and African history.

The partnership between UNCF and the Church became a reality thanks to the commitment and work of the UNCF San Francisco Area Office and Rick Kopf, communications director, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern California. Kopf has served on the UNCF Leadership Council for the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 20 years.

“I have always admired UNCF and readily accepted the invitation to serve on the local Leadership Council. I firmly believe in UNCF’s mission to provide support for minorities seeking a college education. That is the key to long-term success in helping our young people to become contributing citizens,” said Kopf.

Kopf recalled how for several years he and UNCF Western Region Vice President Monica Sudduth explored possible ways that UNCF and the church could work cooperatively. “The church emphasizes the importance of education and sponsors several institutions and programs of higher learning,” Kopf noted.

Kopf engaged UNCF leadership, connecting the organization with LDS leaders which resulted in the church’s $3 million contribution to UNCF.

“The scholarship funding from the church’s contribution is proving to be a worthwhile investment in helping students to fulfill their college dreams,” Sudduth said.

“Receiving this scholarship will allow me to continue chasing my dreams. Your earnest investment in my future goals will not be forgotten. Thank you again for your generous and thoughtful gift,” said Morehouse College student Kevin Washington, Jr.

Benedict College student Gabrielle Lowe said, “This will help to take away some of the financial burden that continuous education has put on myself and my mother. It’s a relief to have these funds coming from this amazing partnership to help me achieve my future career goals. Thank you again for your gracious generosity.”

“This scholarship will help lighten any financial burdens and allow me to be able to focus more on school, continuing to succeed and also continuing to serve my community,” said Utah Valley University student Deborah J. Colimon.

UNCF works tirelessly to ensure better futures for thousands of students like Kevin, Gabrielle and Deborah. And, thanks to donors like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Investing in Better Futures^® is what UNCF does.