Through Donor Support, Naomi Madison Finds Opportunity and Confidence
More than a thousand miles from her home in Kansas, in an environment very different from what she knew, Naomi Madison found her community, thanks to a UNCF scholarship. She is a recipient of the UNCF/FedEx Scholarship, awarded to graduating high school seniors planning to attend a four-year historically Black college or university (HBCU).
The scholarship enabled Madison to fulfill her dream of attending an HBCU. “Being chosen by UNCF was a moment of pure relief and validation,” she shared. “It allowed me to attend the national treasure Morgan State University.”
Madison’s time at Morgan State, an HBCU in Baltimore, MD, strengthened her sense of identity and belonging. She found her voice and served as a student ambassador, helping peers find scholarships, build networks and create community.
Growing up, Madison’s dual identities made it difficult to feel a sense of belonging. “As an Afro-Latina, my identity has always existed at the intersection of cultures, histories and struggles,” she shared.
This experience made attending an HBCU appealing to her. “From the moment I understood the legacy of HBCUs and the way they have consistently graduated and uplifted Black scholars, I knew I wanted to be part of that tradition,” she said.
At first, Madison wasn’t sure she would be able to attend Morgan State University due to financial challenges. “For me, traveling out of state for college felt like an impossible dream,” she said. “My family could not afford to send me to college out of state. So we were exhausting our resources, looking for every opportunity—and then I found UNCF.”
Her experience at Morgan State University has been affirming and uplifting. “HBCUs offered me something I had rarely experienced before: a place where my Blackness was not questioned and my heritage was not an afterthought, but celebrated as part of a vibrant, shared legacy,” she said.”
Madison, a sophomore majoring in political science, was selected as a UNCF Student Ambassador for the 2025–2026 school year. She applied because she wanted to “take the support I have received and pay it forward by advocating for students from backgrounds like my own, ensuring that equity and opportunity are not privileges but guarantees.” She adds, “Everyone has a need, but not everyone has the ability to speak that need, and I found that I can do that.”
As a UNCF student ambassador, Madison gained access to powerful platforms that both elevate her voice and prepare her for what comes next. The student ambassador program became a training ground for her ambitions. “I want to go to law school and have a career in public service,” she said. “So being a student ambassador really helped prepare me for this, as it gave me the communication skills I needed.”
Madison had the opportunity to appear on local broadcast television, sharing her journey and raising awareness for the 2025 UNCF Baltimore Masked Ball. She was one of a few students selected to speak at the fundraising event, exemplifying the impact of UNCF donors. “Having these opportunities served to me on a platter was so exciting and exhilarating,” she shared. The event raised $200,000 to support scholarships for students at HBCUs across the country.
UNCF support extends far beyond finances, giving students space to grow socially, academically and professionally. Madison brings to life the crucial role donors play. “I would want donors to know that their gift impacts an actual human being,” she said. “Sometimes, when you’re looking at numbers, dollar signs and statistics, it’s really difficult to feel like the things that you do will have an effect on somebody else. But every dollar is a person, like me.”
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 Tracy Moore in their academic endeavors.