Latest news with #UNCF
Business Upturn
07-08-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
UNCF Launches ‘Wealth in Numbers' Campaign and $10,000 Prize to Explore HBCU Community Perspectives on Wealth Building
By GlobeNewswire Published on August 7, 2025, 22:55 IST Atlanta, GA, Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building announced the launch of its 'Wealth in Numbers' campaign, an effort designed to better understand wealth building perspectives of students, faculty and staff at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The campaign will offer a $10,000 prize to the HBCU with the highest response rate. The survey is now live and accepting responses through Sept. 30, 2025. 'When we unite our HBCU communities around shared goals of financial empowerment, we create opportunities for collective prosperity that extend far beyond individual success,' said UNCF Senior Vice President Ed Smith-Lewis. 'We're beginning with comprehensive research to understand how HBCUs can better serve as catalysts for generational wealth building, which will inform our development of targeted programs and resources in the phases ahead.' The 'Wealth in Numbers' campaign is a key element of the HBCU Wealth Building Initiative, launched earlier this year by UNCF with support from the Prudential Foundation. The initiative addresses critical wealth disparities facing HBCUs and the communities they serve. While HBCUs achieve a 67.6% success rate in moving students to higher income brackets and represent 52% of institutions in the 95th percentile for mobility, they serve more first generation and low-income students than their peer institutions. In addition, HBCU faculty and staff come from families and communities with lower annual income, homeownership rates and net worth than the national average. Earlier this year, the initiative formed a distinguished advisory board including leaders from ASPEN Institute, Bank of America Foundation, Clark Atlanta University, Hope Credit Union, Howard University, JPMorgan Chase, Kindred Futures, McKinsey & Company, NAACP, Prudential, Student Freedom Initiative and Urban Institute. UNCF is partnering with the advisory board and other national organizations to support campaign activation. How to Participate Wealth In Numbers Survey : Current HBCU students, faculty and staff may take the online Wealth in Numbers survey through Sept. 30, 2025. : Current HBCU students, faculty and staff may take the online Wealth in Numbers survey through Sept. 30, 2025. Campus Champions Informational Webinar: The initiative actively seeks campus champions who will serve as connectors, advocates, and catalysts to spread awareness about the wealth-building survey across their campus communities. Institutional representatives interested in serving as champions are encouraged to register for an informational webinar, held on Thursday, Aug.14 at 5PM EST. For more information on the HBCU Wealth Building Initiative, please contact Victoria Smith, senior strategy analyst, UNCF Institute for Capacity Building ([email protected]). ### About UNCF UNCF is one of the nation's largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students' access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste.'® Learn more at or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram. About UNCF ICB UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) is a registered subsidiary of the United Negro College Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization. UNCF ICB partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to drive institutional transformation, student success, and community advancement. Its mission centers on equipping these institutions with the tools, strategies, and partnerships needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. Attachment Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
Associated Press
23-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Joint Conference to Investigate Global Partnerships between African Higher Education Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Atlanta, GA / Harare, Zimbabwe / Accra, Ghana, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building (ICB), in strategic collaboration with the Historic African Diaspora Placement Program (HADIP) and the Association of African Universities (AAU), announced the convening of a groundbreaking virtual symposium on Sept. 17, 2025. The theme 'From Dialogue to Action: Advancing Partnerships between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and African Higher Education Institutions,' will bring together academic, philanthropic and industry leaders to discuss new pathways for partnership and innovation between HBCUs and institutions on the African continent and across the diaspora. Registration is now available for this one-of-a-kind event. The Symposium seeks to catalyze sustainable partnerships among HBCUs and African higher education institutions by bringing together government leadership, university presidents, provosts, policymakers, researchers, philanthropists and resource partners from both continents. The event's format will feature dignitary-led plenaries, comparative insights on African and U.S. higher education systems, panel discussions, and a strategic dialogue on resource mobilization and institutional transformation. 'This is more than just an event—it's a launch pad for coordinated action,' said Ed Smith-Lewis, UNCF senior vice president, strategic partnership and institutional programs. 'We're setting the stage for executive leadership development, joint research efforts and mutual investment in transformative education systems.' The event builds on collaborative efforts between HADIP and AAU, which exists to promote, strengthen and represent African higher education by fostering collaboration, enhancing institutional quality and serving as the collective voice of universities across the continent. A HADIP representative stated, 'This partnership is a significant step towards creating a unified approach to higher education across Africa and the diaspora. By working together, we can enhance the quality of education and research, ensuring that our institutions thrive in an interconnected world.' The Secretary-General of AAU Olusola Bandele Oyewole remarked, 'The Association of African Universities is excited to foster partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities. Together, we aim to strengthen education and address challenges, creating a brighter future for our students and communities.' The Symposium plans to announce this partnership formally during UNCF's annual UNITE Summit, occurring July 20-24, 2025, signaling a commitment to cross-continental collaboration and inviting broader stakeholder engagement. This event marks another milestone for UNCF as it seeks to elevate partnerships between HBCUs and the African continent. As part of this commitment, UNCF ICB has already identified 8B Education Investments as a pilot partner to explore financing solutions for African students studying in U.S. institutions. UNCF ICB also sponsored the recently concluded 4th Annual HBCU Africa Education Coalition (HAEC) Conference. Key sessions at the HAEC Conference spotlighted institutional transformation, diaspora engagement and the future of African higher education. Join us as we move from dialogue to decisive action, forging sustainable pathways that connect Africa and its Diaspora through higher education. Register now and be part of the movement to accelerate transformation across the continents through educational partnerships. For more information about the conference, visit ### About UNCF UNCF is one of the nation's largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students' access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste.'® Learn more at or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram. About UNCF ICB UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) is a registered subsidiary of the United Negro College Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization. UNCF ICB partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to drive institutional transformation, student success, and community advancement. Its mission centers on equipping these institutions with the tools, strategies, and partnerships needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. About HADIP: The Historic African Diaspora Placement Program (HADIP) aims to reconnect African diaspora professionals in the U.S. with the continent through immersive cultural and professional experiences that foster sustainable development and strengthen transnational ties in alignment with the African Union's Agenda 2063. About AAU: The Association of African Universities (AAU) is an international non-governmental organization set up by universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and with the international academic community. Founded with an initial membership of 34 public universities on November 12, 1967, in Rabat, Morocco, the AAU's membership has grown to over 450. Roy Betts UNCF 240.703.3384 [email protected]
Business Upturn
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Upturn
Dr. Michael Lomax, Present and CEO of UNCF Issues Statement on Recent Antisemitic Attacks
WASHINGTON, DC, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF issued the following statement condemning the recent acts of anti-Semitic violence and reaffirming UNCF's unwavering commitment to standing against hatred in all its forms. 'In recent days, two acts of violence have struck at the heart of the Jewish community, stark reminders that hatred remains alive among us. In Washington, DC, a Jewish American woman and her Israeli fiancé were horrifically murdered as they left a reception at the Jewish Museum. In Boulder, Colorado, Molotov cocktails were thrown during a peaceful protest calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza. The intent of both violent incidents was clear: to sow fear, to spark terror, and to remind us that hatred, left unchecked, smolders and burns. As Black Americans, this flame is painfully familiar. We have seen it before, in the torches carried through darkened streets, in the crosses set ablaze on front lawns, and in the midnight knocks that tore fathers, mothers, and children from their homes. It is a hatred we know well, clothed in different garb but fueled by the same malevolent fire. The violence inflicted on Jewish Americans today echoes the terror that gripped Black communities during the Jim Crow era. Out of those long nights of fear, bonds were forged in the crucible of shared struggle. The relationship between the Black and Jewish communities was built on common purpose. It was Jewish brothers and sisters who marched with us in Selma, who stood with us in Birmingham, who bled beside us for civil rights. It was their pens that helped write the anthems of our movement and their moral clarity that strengthened our resolve. Today, as we confront this resurgent wave of anti-Semitism, we are reminded that the hatred that targets one of us threatens all of us. The same bigotry that demonizes the Jewish people fuels anti-Black racism, anti-LGBTQ animus, and every form of dehumanization that corrodes the soul of our nation. History teaches us that silence in the face of hatred is complicity. Our shared history teaches us that progress has always come when we stand together and raise our voices. At UNCF, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand against all forms of hatred. We are proud of the bridges built between the Black and Jewish communities, partnerships rooted in resilience and a common dream of freedom. We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, not as newly minted allies, but as partners bound by a shared legacy of resilience and a shared dream of liberation. As we raise our voices against the unresolved hatreds that linger from our past, we stand arm in arm, heart to heart, not just as witnesses to injustice but as architects of a future rooted in justice and love. We are resolute in our commitment to build a world where dignity and humanity prevail, knowing that when we fail to speak for others, we risk a future where no one is left to speak for us.' ### About UNCF UNCF is one of the nation's largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students' access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste.'® Learn more at or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dr. Michael Lomax, Present and CEO of UNCF Issues Statement on Recent Antisemitic Attacks
'We are resolute in our commitment to build a world where dignity and humanity prevail, knowing that when we fail to speak for others, we risk a future where no one is left to speak for us' WASHINGTON, DC, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF issued the following statement condemning the recent acts of anti-Semitic violence and reaffirming UNCF's unwavering commitment to standing against hatred in all its forms. 'In recent days, two acts of violence have struck at the heart of the Jewish community, stark reminders that hatred remains alive among us. In Washington, DC, a Jewish American woman and her Israeli fiancé were horrifically murdered as they left a reception at the Jewish Museum. In Boulder, Colorado, Molotov cocktails were thrown during a peaceful protest calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza. The intent of both violent incidents was clear: to sow fear, to spark terror, and to remind us that hatred, left unchecked, smolders and burns. As Black Americans, this flame is painfully familiar. We have seen it before, in the torches carried through darkened streets, in the crosses set ablaze on front lawns, and in the midnight knocks that tore fathers, mothers, and children from their homes. It is a hatred we know well, clothed in different garb but fueled by the same malevolent fire. The violence inflicted on Jewish Americans today echoes the terror that gripped Black communities during the Jim Crow era. Out of those long nights of fear, bonds were forged in the crucible of shared struggle. The relationship between the Black and Jewish communities was built on common purpose. It was Jewish brothers and sisters who marched with us in Selma, who stood with us in Birmingham, who bled beside us for civil rights. It was their pens that helped write the anthems of our movement and their moral clarity that strengthened our resolve. Today, as we confront this resurgent wave of anti-Semitism, we are reminded that the hatred that targets one of us threatens all of us. The same bigotry that demonizes the Jewish people fuels anti-Black racism, anti-LGBTQ animus, and every form of dehumanization that corrodes the soul of our nation. History teaches us that silence in the face of hatred is complicity. Our shared history teaches us that progress has always come when we stand together and raise our voices. At UNCF, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand against all forms of hatred. We are proud of the bridges built between the Black and Jewish communities, partnerships rooted in resilience and a common dream of freedom. We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, not as newly minted allies, but as partners bound by a shared legacy of resilience and a shared dream of liberation. As we raise our voices against the unresolved hatreds that linger from our past, we stand arm in arm, heart to heart, not just as witnesses to injustice but as architects of a future rooted in justice and love. We are resolute in our commitment to build a world where dignity and humanity prevail, knowing that when we fail to speak for others, we risk a future where no one is left to speak for us.' ### About UNCFUNCF is one of the nation's largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students' access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste.'® Learn more at or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram. CONTACT: Roy Betts UNCF 240.703.3384
Business Upturn
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building Releases Career Pathways Initiative Report to Elevate HBCU Student Success and Career Outcomes
WASHINGTON, DC, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) released the highly anticipated Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) report, providing a data-driven narrative on how historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are redefining student success and aligning education with career outcomes. Fueled by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., CPI is empowering HBCUs to strengthen the link between academic experiences and the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. The outcomes speak volumes. Across the program period, 2016 to 2022, participating institutions experienced a 27% increase in median job placement and a 21% increase in median salary when comparing pre- and post-pandemic periods. But CPI's impact goes beyond employment metrics. The report reveals CPI is a transformative approach to experiential learning and student engagement. The report highlights a 184% surge in service-learning participation, a 100% increase in undergraduate research experiences, and a 40% growth in internship engagement. 'These numbers reflect more than just programmatic success—they represent lives changed and futures reshaped,' said Ed Smith-Lewis, UNCF's senior vice president of institutional programs and strategic partnerships, who led the initiative. 'This report isn't just a look back; it's a vision forward—a blueprint for how HBCUs can lead in designing bold, student-centered pathways that drive economic mobility.' At the heart of CPI is a three-pronged framework built on a bold, proactive and continuous approach to institutional transformation. This model fosters a deeply collaborative environment between ICB and its institutional partners—one defined by mutual accountability, shared learning, and a commitment to student outcomes. The three strategic pillars include: Guided Pathways: Embedding student success into the core of institutional operations by ensuring every student gets on, stays on, and graduates from a pathway that supports both personal and professional aspirations. Embedding student success into the core of institutional operations by ensuring every student gets on, stays on, and graduates from a pathway that supports both personal and professional aspirations. Integrated Co-Curricular Engagement: Redesigning curricula to streamline academic offerings, embedding 21st century competencies that prepare students for real-world challenges. Redesigning curricula to streamline academic offerings, embedding 21st century competencies that prepare students for real-world challenges. Curricular Enhancements: Expanding co-curricular learning opportunities that increase awareness, exposure and skill development in alignment with workforce needs. In the months ahead, ICB will release a series of companion pieces to the report. They will include case studies that illustrate how HBCUs are using CPI to reimagine advising models, strengthen employer partnerships, and unlock equitable access to high-growth industries. This work is part of ICB's larger mission: to catalyze transformation across the HBCU sector through aligned partnerships, strategic investments, and a commitment to institutional excellence. To read the CPI report visit: UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building Launches Career Pathways Initiative Report to Elevate HBCU Student Success & Career Outcomes – UNCF ICB. ### About UNCF UNCF is one of the nation's largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students' access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste.'® Learn more at or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram. About UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building partners with Black colleges and universities to propel a shared pursuit of student success, community advancement and the fight for racial-justice equity. To learn more about UNCF Institute for Capacity Building, please visit Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
