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. The Whites were recently inducted into the Johnnetta Betsch Cole Society at the Houston “A Mind Is…”® Houston Gala, held on November 22, 2025.
From Small Beginnings to Big Impact
AMI Society Pinning at “A Mind Is…”® Houston Gala
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 opportunity that changes 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.
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.”
If you’d like to give now, please click “Donate Now” or for more information about the A Mind Is Giving Society, please contact Major Gifts at (202)810-0168.