Speeches on Black education to be delivered by US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S.Regan, Pulitzer Prize Winner Nikole Hannah Jones, Xerox CEO Steven Bandrowczak and Blue Meridian Partners President Jim Shelton UNITE 2024: UNCF Summit for Black Higher Education kicks off in Atlanta on July 28. The five-day conference—convened by UNCF (United Negro College Fund)—is the premiere national convening advancing the missions of Black colleges and universities; this year’s Summit is expected to include representatives from more than 75 historically Black colleges and universitie ..read more

Through events like this, UNCF—now in its 80th year—is changing the HBCU narrative across the nation by helping more students get to and through college Four-time Grammy Award-nominated R&B/neo soul singer-songwriter and actor Eric Benet will take the stage, no doubt setting hearts aflutter in the process, to provide the evening’s entertainment at the 2024 UNCF (United Negro College Fund)  “A Mind Is…” Gala on June 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr. The event is a part of UNCF’s 80th anniversary celebration. Renowned for his romantic music, Benet will cro ..read more

Previews Groundbreaking Mental Health Report to be Released in Fall 2024 Today, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and its Institute For Capacity Building announced the publication of “From Awareness to Action: The Imperative for Enhanced Mental Health Support at HBCUs.” Released during Mental Health Awareness Month, the report shares key insights into the state of mental health on Black college campuses and previews a groundbreaking research report on mental health perceptions and attitudes at Black colleges and universities, including historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and pr ..read more

Nearly 1330 undergraduate students from across the US will convene in Washington, DC, for the 14th annual UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Student Leadership Conference (SLC). This multi-day event will feature presentations and keynote addresses from corporate leaders on professional development topics, aimed at equipping students with skills needed to be successful as interns and early career professionals. The conference, hosted by Wells Fargo and supported by other corporate and foundation sponsors, will take place at Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA, from May 29-June 1.  ..read more

President Biden delivers commencement address and the contributions of UNCF and HBCUs are highlighted during the ceremony UNCF (United Negro College Fund) proudly announces that Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from his alma mater, Morehouse College. The degree is bestowed to those who have made outstanding contributions to society through humanitarian and philanthropic efforts. Dr. Lomax was honored on May 19, 2024, during Morehouse’s live-streamed 140th commencement ceremony, which featured President Joseph R. Biden as the commenc ..read more

More investments are needed from federal and state governments as well as philanthropic organizations to support HBCUs and their students Today, 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 (United Ne ..read more

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 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.” The magazine states that the “selection process isn’t easy.” Factors include “deep subject-matter expertise and significant understanding of how the nation’s capital works, with the goal of getting action and understanding the nuances and complexiti ..read more

Over the past five years, Benedict College’s graduation rate has increased by 233%. Benedict College celebrated over 320 of its best and brightest students during a spirited Commencement Convocation on Friday, May 3, 2024. During the graduation ceremony, keynote speaker Dr. Michael Lomax, President, and CEO of the UNCF (United Negro College Fund), applauded the Benedict College community of faculty and staff along with the loving parents, grandparents, siblings, and other family members of the students in attendance for their support. “To you, I say, because of your nurturing and unconditional ..read more

Black parents and caregivers report higher college aspirations for their child and fewer school suspensions when there are more Black teachers at their child’s school compared to schools with few or no Black teachers As the country celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) released a groundbreaking study that 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. The report, titled “Hear Us, Believe Us: Centering African American Parent Voices in K ..read more

Grammy Award® winners Fantasia Barrino Taylor and Natasha Yvette Williams, Essence Ventures CEO Caroline Wanga, Philanthropists Martha and Bruce Karsh and corporate founders of UNCF among the honorees at 16 spectacular events in March As UNCF (United Negro College Fund) celebrates its 80th anniversary, fundraising during the organization’s version of March Madness was extraordinarily successful.  Hosting 16 events including seven within one week, UNCF demonstrated unwavering commitment to its mission, raising more than $10 million for scholarships and financial support to help its 37 memb ..read more