Latest news with #UnitedNegroCollegeFund
UPI
a day ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: Netflix drops trailer for 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Destination Wedding'
1 of 4 | Tyler Perry returns as his most iconic character in "Tyler Perry's Madea's Destination Wedding," which debuts on Netflix July 11. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo June 9 (UPI) -- Netflix released a trailer for Tyler Perry's Madea's Destination Wedding, marking the writer, director and actor's 13th cinematic outing as the iconic matriarch. The film, which debuts July 11, is Perry's second Madea film to be released in creative partnership with Netflix. The 13th installment in the film franchise sees Perry's Madea traveling to the Bahamas with her family to celebrate the surprise wedding of her nephew's daughter, Tiffany (Diamond White), to a rapper she met on a yacht. "It's been 20 years now since Diary of a Mad Black Woman came out," Perry told Netflix. "To see that this character is still enduring, and people are still watching and enjoying and laughing, it's really mind-blowing to me." Perry, who plays multiple roles in the film, said returning to Madea is a form of comfort. "I keep coming back because some of this is just escapism," he said. "Just let's leave the world behind for a moment and come to Madea's house, and have some good food and laugh, and cry and celebrate and be all of those things." Tyler Perry's Madea's Destination Wedding also stars Cassi Davis Patton, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Taja V. Simpson, Jermaine Harris and Xavier Smalls. Tyler Perry: a look back at the filmmaker, philanthropist Tyler Perry arrives at the premiere of "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" in Los Angeles on February 21, 2005. Later that year, Perry attended the United Negro College Fund's annual "An Evening of Stars" fundraiser. Photo by Francis Specker/UPI | License Photo
Time Magazine
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time Magazine
N. Clay Robbins
In the past year, giving at Indiana's Lilly Endowment Inc., long led by chairman and CEO N. Clay Robbins, has gone into overdrive. Under Robbins' direction, the nation's second-largest private foundation, with more than $62 billion in assets, awarded a stunning string of nine-figure grants. Among them: $100 million to the United Negro College Fund; $100 million to the National Park Foundation; $100 million to Purdue University; $138 million to establish a biosciences business accelerator program at Indiana University, $250 million to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to support a statewide effort to attract and launch businesses; and $600 million for grants to teachers and schools across Marion County with innovative approaches to improving student achievement. All told, the foundation awarded more than $2.5 billion last year, focused mainly on public works projects, education, and Christian institutions—a striking jump from $1.7 billion in grants approved in 2023 and a five-fold increase from 2018. At the center of it all is Robbins, who started at the foundation in 1993 and became CEO in 2012. But his affiliation goes back much farther: his education at Wabash College, where he majored in religion, was paid for by a Lilly Endowment scholarship. In November, his longevity and contributions to the community won Robbins the state's highest honor, the Sachem Award, with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb calling him "a transformational leader" and an "exemplary Hoosier."
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kannapolis City Council renames street after local educator, leader
The Kannapolis City Council renamed East C Street after a local educator and leader who worked toward the integration of Kannapolis schools. The newly renamed Milton Taylor Street serves to honor the legacy of the late Milton Taylor. The city said it hoped the renaming would ensure future generations would remember Taylor's dedication and support across the city. Taylor earned a bachelor's and master's degree and then began working in Rowan and Cabarrus counties, starting as a teacher and a coach, according to the city. In 1965, he became the first African American principal of George Washington Carver School, now known as Kannapolis Middle School. READ: Asheville artists find new home after Helene Officials said Taylor played a significant role in the integration of Kannapolis schools. He valued inclusivity, with a focus on student-centered learning. City officials said Taylor believed 'one of the best ways to get to know children is to do things with them.' Taylor was honored as teacher of the year in Kannapolis while he served and received a presidential citation from North Carolina A & T State. And officials said his impact didn't stop there. He was one of the founding members of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network, the city said. Taylor served as president of the Cannon Memorial YMCA and Kannapolis Rotary Club. He also served on the boards of the Cabarrus County Red Cross, the Bible Teaching Association, the Cabarrus County Meals on Wheels, Cabarrus Helpline Inc., Kannapolis Crime Stopers Barber-Scotia College Unit of the United Negro College Fund, and more. He received a number of accolades and awards, including the United Negro College Fund's Distinguished Service Award, the Association of Citizen's Educator of the Year Award, the YMCA Southeastern Distinguished Service Award, the Cannon Memorial YMCA Board's Director of the Year Award, the Distinguished Rotarian Award and induction into the Kannapolis African American Museum and Cultural Center Legacy Hall of Fame. Taylor also served as a trustee for Sandy Ride AME Zion Church and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. WATCH: Asheville artists find new home after Helene
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UNCF raising money for future college grads at Tampa Mayor's Masked Ball
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The United Negro College Fund is getting ready for its second annual Tampa Mayor's Masked Ball to raise funds for future collegiate scholars. Established in 1944, the United Negro College Fund was originally founded during a time where Black and Brown students could not attend certain colleges due to the color of their skin. UNCF partnered with the then few Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help minority students get to and through college. 'The goal in 1944 was to support those institutions that supported students of color,' said Gwen Hewitt, UNCF Area Development Director. 'In 1944, students of color had limited options as it related to attending college.' Today, 37 HBCU's belong to the UNCF network. The organization offers financial and academic support to those students. UNCF now also provides millions in scholarships annually to students going to any school in the country. In fact, the organization has provided $5.5 billion dollars in scholarships since its inception. UNCF helps raise funds through their Mayor's Masked Balls, which happen in several cities across the U.S. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor encouraged a local ball to help local students even with Florida's diversity efforts under the political microscope. 'Our mission is to get students to and through college. and that doesn't change,' Hewitt said. 'It doesn't matter who is doing what. Our commitment and our goal is to support those students particularly first generation and low income who need that support for an education.' In 2024, UNCF gave over $500,000 in scholarships to students in the Tampa Bay area. They are looking to increase that amount at the masked ball this year. It will take place Saturday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency. UNCF will honor the legendary Tony Dungy for the amazing work he does at local schools and for local students. The event will also feature special guest and award-winning producer, Will Packer. Hundreds of scholarship applications are available for local students. Stay up to date with application deadlines on UNCF's official website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYC Mayor Adams defends language criticized as racially insensitive, decries ‘lynch mob mentality'
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams, facing calls to resign amid controversy over the Trump DOJ's move to dismiss his federal corruption indictment, defended himself Monday against accusations he used racially insensitive language in recent comments about fellow Black politicians and said he's being targeted by a political 'lynch mob.' In a press conference at City Hall, the mayor was asked why he thought it was appropriate last week to label Black politicians who have urged him to resign 'Negroes' in need of saving from God. 'Well, those Negroes knew they were wrong,' Adams replied. The mayor, who made the remark in question at a Black History Month celebration at Gracie Mansion last Tuesday, suggested there's nothing offensive about the phrase. 'Why are we trying to classify the term Negro as being a derogatory term?' he said, noting there are organizations with names that include the term, such as the United Negro College Fund. Conversely, Adams said the outrage should actually be about the mounting calls for him to resign or be removed from office. 'Those who are elected in office who are aware of the rules are saying, 'He needs to be removed, he needs to step down' — that's what we should be angry about,' he said. 'Where is the process that we're supposed to follow instead of this sort of lynch mob mentality? That's what we should be angry about, we have witnessed a lynch mob mentality before.' City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and other prominent Black elected officials said late last month that he should step down. The demands come as President Trump's Department of Justice is seeking to dismiss the mayor's corruption indictment with the understanding that it could be resurrected as early as November, an unusual caveat that both critics and allies say make him beholden to Trump. Adams has said there was no quid pro quo with the Justice Department. In a formal dismissal request, which is pending approval from a federal judge, Trump's DOJ wrote that the president expects quashing Adams' criminal case will enable the mayor to help facilitate Trump's agenda, including his vow to target undocumented New Yorkers for 'mass deportations.' Adams' controversial comments came at last Tuesday's Gracie Mansion event, where he said he was going through 'a biblical moment.' 'When Jesus was on the cross, he said, 'God forgive them for they know not what they do.' All these Negroes who are asking me to step down, God forgive them,' he said. Black leaders, including Harlem pastor and civil rights advocate Johnnie Green, said last week the mayor's use of the racial phrase in that context was deeply insensitive. Merriam Webster, the dictionary, labels the phrase 'Negro' as 'dated' and 'often offensive.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a vocal Adams critic who is Black, said his reference to a 'lynch mob' Monday was likewise offensive. 'The second Black mayor in our history is actively undoing the decades of progress it took to elect even the first. It's deeply disrespectful to both the leaders who worked to get us here and people who hope to carry us forward,' Williams said. _____
