UNCF Los Angeles
“A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.”® Why not invest your time or money in better futures for young people in southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and around the country?
UNCF Los Angeles is here to help you send a student to college and turn their life around.
Regional Events
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HBCUs Matter and Boost Our Economy
UNCF Los Angeles EMERGE College and Career Readiness Initiative, in partnership with the Crenshaw Family YMCA, completed its third workshop convening with 25 YMCA Youth and Government students. Our total Emerge initiative reach is now 101 students and their parents. Across sessions, students received UNCF information, registered for the scholarship portal, met with HBCU representatives, learned about the college experience with guidance from leaders in finance, sports and entertainment, and entrepreneurship. This advances our pipeline, reestablishes our presence in a dormant market, and strengthens the case for localized support with clear outcomes.
At the Crenshaw Y workshops, speakers and panelists urged students to apply for as many scholarships as possible to avoid debt, avoid unnecessary credit cards in college, and start saving now. Dr. Veda Ramsay Stamps, Regional Development Director and project designer, served as a speaker, shared UNCF services, and demonstrated the UNCF scholarship portal. Ray Cunningham III, Development Associate was the lead coordinator and a speaker. Congratulations to the new LA team (Kathi Barber, Area Development Director and Kerry Bryant, Office Administrator) for outstanding teamwork and execution.
Moderator
- Telebah Woods, Sr. Vice President, Bank of America (UNCF LA Leadership Council Member and Parent of FAMU Student)
Speakers and panelists
- Jared M. Grimes, Vice President, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (UNCF LA Leadership Council Member and Morehouse Alumni)
- Juliet Udeochu, Vice President and Community Manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- China Berry, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Black Beverly Hills
- Nik DeFrance, Director of Operations, PropStream
- Dr. Joseph Bryant, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Prospeak Sports
Survey results from South Los Angeles students show clear need to expose more students to our services. All respondents were previously unaware of UNCF. Only one student had applied for any scholarships. All students rated the two-hour workshops positively. One student shared, “I learned that I can do anything I set my mind to and learn from barriers in my path. When things don’t go my way, it’s a chance for redirection.”
Next steps include full implementation of Emerge concept paper, ongoing college fairs, ongoing mentorship, expansion of subject matter, and youth-focused financial literacy workshops. Several of the 30 YMCA branches across LA County will host our initiative in FY 2027 and FY 2028 contingent on funding. This growth will deepen impact, increase scholarship engagement, and encourage more fundraising supporters and partners.
Providing relief to HBCU Students, Alumni and families impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires
The devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area have left many students and the children of HBCU alumni facing unexpected financial hardships. To support their continued education, UNCF has launched three programs under the UNCF Los Angeles Area Wildfire Relief Fund, offering critical financial assistance to eligible students and alumni.
Is a student in your life looking for scholarships? Search over 10,000 scholarships at UNCF.org/scholarships.
Are you interested in sending students to college by creating an area scholarship of your own? Contact UNCF Los Angeles at 213.639.3800.
UNCF Makes a Difference in Your Area
See how your contributions help students in your area
- $25 helps a student pay for the expenses that add up quickly, such as tech and other school supplies
- $75 can help to cover those extra fees, like student life, lab fees and other matriculation fees
- $1,000 can help a student purchase books for a year
- $2,500 can help cover room and board for a semester
- $5,000 can help a student pay for a semester’s full tuition
News
Job Announcement
Development Director – Los Angeles
United Negro College Fund Helps USC Student Achieve Higher-Education Dreams
Daniel Million has been able to pursue his dream of studying neuroscience at USC thanks to a timely scholarship offer from the United Negro College Fund. Danielle Gersh with CBS Los Angeles reports.
UNCF Los Angeles Leadership Council
Chair
Arnold Hackett, Metro
Members
- Shannon Bradley, Chief Health Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Keck Medicine of USC
- Jared Grimes, Vice President Wealth Management, JP Morgan Chase
- John Harris, Owner/ Partner, Harris & Hayden Law Firm
- Dr. Justin Key, USC Professor
- Delilah Lanoix Harris, President and CEO, Butterfli Technologies
- Faye W. McClure (Memoriam), Urban Advantage
- James Muhammad, President and CEO, USC Radio Group
- Maxwell Sinclair, EVP, Chief Risk Officer, Santa Cruz County Bank
- Stephanie Wiggins, CEO, LA Metro
- Luther Williams, Los Angeles UNCF Inter-Alumni Council
- Telebah Woods, Sr. Vice President National Strategic Relationship Manager, Bank of America
“A Mind Is…”® Annual Giving Society
UNCF Los Angeles Staff
