UNCF

It is with profound sadness that UNCF expresses our heartfelt condolences for the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas. We were deeply moved and still inspired by her steadfast commitment and unwavering support of HBCUs and the advancement of Black higher education.

As we mourn the loss of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, we also celebrate her remarkable legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time, as we collectively honor and remember the impact she made on the HBCU community and Black higher education at large. 🕊️

Read our full statement here: https://uncf.org/the-latest/uncf-mourns-the-loss-of-texas-congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lee

There’s still more work to be done to support and fund HBCUs.

In a recent CNN fact check, UNCF Senior Vice President of Public Policy Lodriguez Murray shared crucial insights on the state of HBCUs and government support and funding.

“When it comes to HBCUs and the presidency,” Murray said, “the book has yet to be finished (on) who will offer the next chapters in terms of HBCU support. That’s what’s on the ballot currently and we want to make sure that whoever wins this race understands what our needs are.”

Read the full article and response to CNN’s fact check on President Biden and former President Trump’s records on HBCUs. 👉🏾💻

With a renewed focus on student well-being, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are spearheading innovative mental health initiatives. UNCF (United Negro College Fund), in collaboration with its Institute For Capacity Building (ICB), has released a pivotal report, “From Awareness to Action: The Imperative for Enhanced Mental Health Support at HBCUs.”

If you want to learn about how this report casts a spotlight on the mental health landscape across Black college campuses and sets the stage for a groundbreaking research, read the full story here: https://uncf.org/the-latest/lighting-the-path-empowering-student-mental-health-initiatives-at-hbcus

Lighting the Path: Empowering Student Mental Health Initiatives at HBCUs - UNCF Black college students sometimes find college more than academically challenging. UNCF is works to help those who need mental health support.

June has been an incredible month for UNCF’s Philadelphia area office! 🎉

From Juneteenth honors to memorable moments at the Philadelphia Phillies game, there’s so much to share.

UNCF Philadelphia celebrated a $50,000 check presentation at the Phillies’ Juneteenth game, where Richard Lee Snow had the honor of throwing out the first pitch. UNCF Gates Millennium Scholar Kyra Williams proudly represented UNCF in the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade. Additionally, UNCF Philadelphia was honored with the Ali Salahuddin Education Award by the Pennsylvania Juneteenth Initiative at their Honor the Ancestors Breakfast. Richard Lee Snow, our Regional Development Director, received the award from Attorney Helen McCray Salahuddin, COO, and Gary Shepherd, Board Chair.

Check out some of the moments below 📸

, your contribution to our radio PSA campaign for UNCF’s 80th anniversary is invaluable. Your voice helps us reach more students and spread our mission. Wishing you a day filled with celebration and joy, just like the impact you bring to our cause. 🎉

Honoring a legacy of leadership! The UNCF Board Chair Milton Jones presented Dr. Michael L. Lomax with a resolution recognizing his 20 years of service as President & CEO of the UNCF! Under his leadership, Dr. Lomax has secured historic gifts, established innovative programs, and advanced the cause of Black higher education. We celebrate his dedication and commitment to our mission!

🌟🎂 Celebrating Lionel Richie on his 75th birthday!

Lionel Richie is a shining example of HBCU excellence! A proud graduate of TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY, he carries forward the legacy of our founder, Frederick D. Patterson, who was the third president of Tuskegee Institute in 1935. Lionel's journey he has inspired countless students to chase their dreams.

In 2010, we celebrated Lionel at UNCF's 31st television special, 'An Evening of Stars,' a program that won the NAACP Image Award. The night was filled with tributes from an all-star lineup, honoring his outstanding career and dedication to education.

UNCF proudly presented Lionel with the Award of Excellence, acknowledging his successful career and steadfast support for educational causes.

Happy birthday to you, Lionel! May your day be as exceptional as your impact on the world. 🌎🌟

BET Music BET NAACP Image Awards

Moody’s is pleased to be a partner of UNCF and a sponsor of the 2024 NABA National Convention & Expo! The Moody’s team will be in Las Vegas June 18-21, 2024 to connect with students and professionals throughout the convention, including at Booth #219. Come by to learn about all of the impactful work that they’re doing and what current and future opportunities they have across the organization.

Contact UNCF Workplace to learn how you or your workplace can help talented students on and beyond. Visit: UNCF.org/Workplace

DJ has used music to bring people together and create positive change. Amid the pandemic, a special “Club Quarantine” set raised $225,000 for UNCF! His music brought joy and vital support to our students.

This spring, we honored him with the “Masked Hero” award at the Mayor’s Masked Ball.

Thank you, DJ D-Nice, for not only sharing your talent with the world, but for your incredible support for HBCUs and UNCF. Have an amazing birthday! 🎂🎶✨

Happy ! We celebrate the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We celebrate the right to pursue our dreams, to get an education, and to go as far as our aspirations will take us.

Juneteenth presents an opportunity for anyone who wants to make a difference for underrepresented and underserved students who want to earn a college degree. As UNCF celebrates its 80th anniversary, HBCUs and their students need our support now more than ever.

Help us make an impact today ➡️ UNCF.org/Donate

Mayor Andre Dickens’ unwavering support for UNCF has made a tremendous impact. His integral role in helping us raise vital funds for students at the annual UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Thank you, Mayor Dickens, for your steadfast partnership and for making a significant impact on the lives of so many. UNCF wishes you a happy birthday! 🎉

🌟 Attention High School Seniors!🌟

The deadline for the FUND II - 2024-2025 UNCF STEM Scholars Program is almost here! Apply by 6/13/2024 at 11:59 PM EST for a chance to earn up to $25,000 in scholarship funds.

This amazing opportunity supports students pursuing STEM degrees. Don’t miss your chance to be one of the 100 scholars awarded this year!

👉🏾 Apply Now: https://opportunities.uncf.org/s/program-landing-page?id=a2i8Y00000CPhRuQAL

There were too many magical moments to count at UNCF Student Leadership Conference! 🌟

One of those moments happened during a special lunch keynote by National Geographic’s SVP Inclusive Content & Engagement, Karen Greenfield.

🥁Drum Major Mickey Mouse made a surprise appearance to celebrate our Disney scholars who are interning this summer at various brands within The Walt Disney Company, such as FX, Andscape, and National Geographic.

We are grateful to , Karen Greenfield, and the entire Walt Disney Company for making this moment happen and for pouring into our students to help make their dreams come true. 💫

🚨Calling all mentors! Be the guide that shapes a young professional's future.

Your experience can change a young scholar's life! Become a mentor with the UNCF Early Talent Opportunity Program. Offer guidance and support to students on their career journey.

Deadline extended to May 24, 2024‼️

You can be the guide that shapes a young professional's future. Don’t miss this opportunity to . Apply today! https://forms.gle/nMBzsdCRHqixudPH9

🎓A Historic Day at Morehouse College! 🎓
We are thrilled to celebrate a momentous occasion at Morehouse College's graduation ceremony, where our President and CEO received an honorary degree alongside President Joe Biden.

As we honor the achievements of our graduates, we are reminded of Morehouse's enduring legacy of excellence, leadership, and social justice. We not only commend the hard work and dedication of our students but also recognize the visionary leadership that continues to propel us forward.

Congratulations to all our graduates, and a heartfelt thank you to President Biden and our esteemed President and CEO for inspiring the next generation of Morehouse Men. Together, we continue to uphold the values of our beloved institution and strive for greatness.

Big news! The Biden-Harris Administration announced that during their three-plus years in office, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have received over $16 billion in investments.

Not only does this investment include funds received from their COVID-19 American Rescue Plan (ARP) law but also other routine, annual investments like the Education Department’s Strengthening HBCUs and student help-focused Pell Grant programs.

“UNCF works with both political parties and is non-partisan, and even with that I can tell you no other administration has prioritized HBCUs like this one,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.

“Big efforts like this are done purposefully, not by happenstance,” said Lodriguez Murray, senior vice president, public policy and government affairs, UNCF.

Read our full statement: https://uncf.org/news/biden-administration-announces-big-investment-totals-for-hbcus-16b-in-whole-of-government-investments

Today is ! We're honored to be an official partner for A.S.K. - a new campaign dedicated to helping you help your friends. Learn how to A.S.K. - Acknowledge, Support, Keep-In-Touch at asktohelp.com.

Thank you to MTV and Active Minds for spearheading this campaign. Check out this choose-your-own-adventure video that shows A.S.K in action.

An Interactive Video for Supporting Your Friends with A.S.K. | #AskToHelp In this choose-your-own-adventure experience, put yourself in the shoes of Charlie who just ran into Luna at a coffee shop. Help Charlie decide what to say w...

We are so honored to have President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax deliver the commencement speech to our class of 2024.

UNCF is proud to announce that its Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs, Lodriguez Murray, is included on the Washingtonian Magazine’s listing of “Washington, DC’s Most Influential People of 2024.

This is Murray’s 4th straight year to be included on the Washingtonian’s list.

Read more📰:

UNCF Senior VP Recognized by Washingtonian Magazine - UNCF For the 4th Year Running, Lodriguez Murray honored to be on the magazine’s “Most Influential” list UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is proud to announce that its Senior Vice President […]

Dear Black Teacher:

🌟✊🏾 This week, we're turning the spotlight on YOU, who pour your heart and soul into shaping the future! You are the architect of our future, molding leaders, innovators, and change-makers with every lesson you teach.

We join our partner Center for Black Educator Development in honoring the Black teachers who inspire and lead every day. Thank you for making a difference!

WeNeedBlackTeachers.com

Black teachers are at the heart of our recommendations 🧑🏿‍🏫 👨🏿‍🏫 This , we invite you to see how our recent report outlines what’s needed to drive equity in the classroom and beyond. Read more: UNCF.org/parentvoices

Kim Godwin is a true trailblazer and a loyal champion of UNCF. As an alumna of Florida A&M University, her accomplishments have served as an inspiration to a new generation of students, motivating them to reach for their own heights of achievement.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation for her unwavering dedication to our mission. As she transitions into retirement, we wish her continued success and fulfillment in all her future endeavors.

We’re thrilled to kick off 🍎 with our new study finding Black parents and caregivers report better outcomes when there are more Black teachers at school.

Our groundbreaking study, "Hear Us, Believe Us: Centering African American Parent Voices in K-12 Education," provides invaluable insights into the perspectives of African American parents on key issues in education and highlights the importance of Black teachers to Black families.

Read our report here: UNCF.org/parentvoices

80 years ago, UNCF was incorporated in New York by visionary leaders. Yesterday, we reconvened in the city where it all began to honor our legacy.

Thank you, Mayor Eric Adams, for hosting this inspiring event that honored the important legacy and impact of UNCF and celebrated HBCU alumni who live, work, and contribute to New York City.

Special shoutout to our distinguished speakers: Dr. Michael L. Lomax, Lisa Zornberg, DeMarco Morgan, Reginald Goins, Amir McFarlane, and Q. Smith, as well as the HBCUs in attendance!

Despite public perception, most Black parents report high involvement in their child’s education. A new report by UNCF, "Hear Us, Believe Us: Centering African American Parent Voices in K-12 Education,” offers a comprehensive analysis of the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of African American parents in relation to race, college readiness, parental engagement and more. UNCF Director of K-12 Research, Dr. Meredith B.L. Anderson, discusses the report's findings and recommendations, while Indianapolis parent advocate and A.N.T. Foundation CEO Ashley Thomas offers tips to parents on engaging with their child's school.

Tune in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOVcafIbGcA

Be a guiding light for rising college sophomores and juniors! Become a mentor with the UNCF Early Talent Opportunity Program and help shape the future of young professionals. Apply now: https://tinyurl.com/cs2yyr2n!

Deadline: May 20, 2024

Celebrating 117 years of excellence! Happy Founder's Day 🤙🏾

Special shout-out to our President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin for repping & at UNCF's Conference earlier this year.

Their commitment to the principles of shines brightly, exemplifying the true spirit of .