Lighting the Path Forward: Major Donors Form Family Legacy of Supporting Education
Meet Elijah and Diana White
Progress is always powered by people whose generosity is rooted in lived experience, deep values and an unwavering belief in future generations. Elijah and Diana White are two such champions—quiet, humble philanthropists whose lives reflect the spirit of possibility that UNCF strives to provide for each and every student it serves.
From Small Beginnings to Big Impact
The White’s journey, similar to that of many UNCF scholars, began in small towns where opportunity wasn’t guaranteed—but grit, determination and the encouragement of loved ones lit their path forward.
Born and raised in Wilson, NC—a tight-knit tobacco town where very few people who held wealth looked like him—Elijah credits his mother and grandmother for instilling a fierce belief in education. He laughs when he recalls how his mother convinced him to try college: “She told me, ‘If you don’t like it, you can always come home and cook.’ She knew I wasn’t a cook.”
That gentle push led him into an unexpected world of geology, five competitive internships and a graduate degree in Geological and Earth Sciences. More importantly, college opened a pathway completely unavailable to so many in his community.
On the other side of the country, in Topeka, KS, Diana was navigating a very different but equally formative experience. As a young girl, she loved learning— until moving to a new school in a new neighborhood exposed the inequities many Black and brown children face. With a somber look, Diana recalled hiding in her new school’s lavatory during math lessons, crying because she didn’t understand the work and felt unseen by her teachers.
Those early experiences became the foundation for Diana’s purpose. They inspired her pursuit of degrees in education, communications and ultimately a Ph.D.—driven by a desire to be the teacher, mentor and advocate she never had.
Why They Choose to Support UNCF
For the Whites, UNCF’s mission resonates deeply because it mirrors their own journeys:
- Providing access to opportunities that change life trajectory
- Belief that education is the gateway to dignity, mobility and empowerment
- Commitment to ensuring no student is denied an education because of cost, bias or lack of support
They understand firsthand the barriers many students face today—financial strain, a shortage of mentors, inequitable K–12 preparation and resurgent prejudice that still shapes academic and professional spaces. And they see the impact UNCF has on students and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The organization offers more than 12,000 scholarships annually that help reduce financial barriers and enable students to pursue their education.
The Whites shared a powerful conviction that continues to guide their support of UNCF. “We live in a time when support for diversity, equity and inclusion is under attack. We must use the words diversity, equity and inclusion—not the abbreviations that make it easier to dismiss the power of inclusion and access for all,” said Diana. “It’s about making things fair and equal, not about having an advantage. That’s exactly why donors must double down. Students need emotional support, financial support, mentorship—everything. Without it, so many would never reach their dreams.”
Together, the Whites believe that standing firm in these values is more important than ever. Their commitment to supporting students through organizations like UNCF ensures opportunity, access and success for the next generation and our country as a whole.
To those considering giving, the Whites offered this piece of advice. “To give. To show up. To invest in students the way others once invested in us,” Elijah said. “Don’t look at what others give. Look at what you can do. Your $500, your $5,000—whatever your gift is—can change someone’s life. Your contribution matters more than you think.”
A Family Legacy of Giving Back
Giving in the White household does not happen on a single moment or occasion—it is a value, a way of life and a legacy in motion. Their children, now adults, carry that example forward in their own ways: through acts of kindness, volunteering, mentoring and everyday generosity inspired by what they witnessed growing up. One of their daughters, even as a young child, gave away her Christmas gifts to friends who had none, cheerfully assuring others, “Dad will get me new ones,” as she explained her big-heartedness. The Whites’ sons also give back through service in the community, dedicating time to programs that support young boys in need of positive male role models.
Elijah expresses his family’s philosophy through their motto: “Every person has the ability to lift someone else up. When we teach our children to give, we are helping build a better world.”
Thanks to the generosity of the Whites—and donors like you—UNCF is able to award more than 1,000 scholarships each year to Texas students, with an average award amount of $5,261. This critical support ensures that no student has to navigate their higher education journey alone.
At the heart of the Whites’ philanthropy is a steadfast belief that the next generation of leaders come from the students we invest in today. Today’s students will lead corporations, teach future generations, heal communities, innovate solutions, shape policy and carry forward UNCF’s enduring legacy.
As Elijah beautifully put it: “If you want people to do something, you have to ask—and you have to build a relationship,” a sentiment Diana shares.
Follow the example of this extraordinary couple. Help students do more than dream—help them achieve. Your gift removes barriers and opens doors to opportunity.
Join us in supporting UNCF South Texas – Houston students—the future leaders of our nation. Will you make a meaningful, personal impact today?