UNCF

HBCUs do more with less every day—we brought the receipts. Our new report reveals that HBCUs contribute $16.5 billion to the national economy. These institutions are not only educating the next generation of leaders but are also critical to economic growth and social mobility. However, underfunding threatens their impact. 🎥Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/e5zrPZHN 📊Get the facts from our report at UNCF.org/HBCUImpactReport and be a voice for HBCUs: UNCF.org/EquityPledge. #UNCF4HBCUs #HBCUStrong #EconomicImpact #HBCUEconomics

The 24th Annual South Florida Leader’s Luncheon at the Marriott Harbor Beach in Fort Lauderdale was a powerful gathering of leaders and changemakers. We’re grateful for the support of "A Mind Is" Society members like Sunrise Mayor Michael Ryan and T. Carlton Williams, Partner, VP, Employee Benefits Consultant at USI Insurance Services and a UNCF South Florida Leadership Council Member. A special thank you to Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, UNCF and Roxanna Blissett, Development Director, UNCF for their leadership and commitment. 💡 Learn more about the "A Mind Is" Society and how you can support the next generation of leaders at uncf.org/majorgifts. To learn how you can be a member of “A Mind Is" Society, please visit https://lnkd.in/gNN_8_4J. #UNCF #AMindIsSociety #SouthFloridaLeaders #HBCUStrong

All in the Family: 3 Family Members Attended Tuskegee University. My latest story for UNCF: https://lnkd.in/eTuzAx9b #HBCU #HBCUs #scholarships #CollegeScholarships Tuskegee University

New York City! "Where dreams are made of" and realized through the power of philanthropy. What an inspiring evening at our UNCF "A Mind Is..." Gala last Thursday! We were honored to host 430 passionate supporters, and together, we surpassed our goal, raising over $1.1 million to empower our HBCUs and fuel the dreams of their students. In this very city, UNCF's story began in 1944 with a simple yet visionary idea championed by Dr. Frederick Patterson and Mary McLeod Bethune: that a collective group of institutions, working with allies, could achieve a far greater impact than individual schools alone. Eighty-one years later, a new generation of allies, led by our corporate sponsors and donors, gathered with the same core belief in the "power of we." A heartfelt congratulations to our exceptional honorees: Macy’s, Angela and Reginald Goins, and Nicole Pullen Ross, for being such important and invaluable champions of HBCUs and students. These vital resources will directly impact the lives of students, shaping the next generation of leaders and ensuring that a young person's zip code never defines their access and opportunity to realize their fullest potential. Thank you to our incredible sponsors and our donors for their invaluable support and belief in the power of education. Because, as we know, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in”, and HBCUs have been and will always be engines of social and economic opportunity for young people. Here is a link to some photos from additional photos from the evening: https://lnkd.in/ezPUVAbE #UNCF #HBCU #NewYorkCity #Philanthropy #BetterFutures #Education

Just wrapped up an amazing experience at the 2025 UNCF Invest Conference! This event brought together brilliant and innovative minds to explore the importance of building and sustaining wealth through workshops on technology, finance, business, and AI, covering topics ranging from AI advancements to entrepreneurship, financial wisdom, and strategic investing. Some key takeaways: ⭐️ Enter every space curious, prepared and open to learning. ⭐️ Financial wisdom is financial literacy applied. ⭐️ Strategies for investing, entrepreneurship, and long-term financial success start with a curious mind and a determined spirit. ⭐️ Be strategic with your goals and align with yourself with actionable steps to take towards achieving them. ⭐️ Create more than you consume. As a young professional navigating the path toward my ideal career, the UNCF Invest Conference was exactly the kind of experience I needed. Feeling extremely grateful for the insights from industry leaders and the opportunity to network. Excited to apply what I’ve learned and continue carving out my niche in an evolving job market! Big thank you to all the organizers at the United Negro College Fund as well as the speakers for taking the time to share their knowledge, insights and experiences! Carrie Hicks, Christopher Lafayette, Brenda Edgerton-Webster PhD, Faith Olatunde, David Earl Spencer, MS, ChFC®, Devon Corbin, Michael Lee, Harold Chaput, Julian Fitzgerald R. UNCF, Skyline College, Umoja Community Education Foundation, Inc. 🙏🏾 #UNCFInvest #Tech #Business #StudentLeader #CareerExploration #YoungProfessional

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” That powerful statement from UNCF never misses—and neither does the impact of the 2025 UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball 🎭✨. I had the honor of attending again this year on behalf of Lumos Fiber, a proud general sponsor of the event. We were also blessed to donate three of our tickets to UNCF scholars on the waitlist, and I love that we could help make space for more people to be part of such a meaningful evening. Huge thank you to Dana Brown, Area Development Director at UNCF, for organizing such a meaningful night and for reaching out to Lumos to support and attend again this year. Your passion and commitment do not go unnoticed! From the inspiring welcome by The Honorable Phillip Jones, Mayor of Newport News, to powerful moments like the student testimony from Melanie Finney-Ramos and the HBCU charge by Dr. Hakim J. Lucas every part of the night was a beautiful reminder of why this work matters. Congratulations to this year’s Masked Award Honorees— Shawn Avery, Antoine Bethea, Dr. Courtney McBath & Rev. Janeen McBath and Dr.Cynthia Romero—for the incredible work you do in our communities. It was so good seeing familiar faces, making new connections, and witnessing firsthand how UNCF continues to champion education, equity, and opportunity—especially for students attending HBCUs. Truly grateful to be in the room again this year. Let’s keep showing up and supporting the mission! #UNCF #UNCFMaskedBall2025 #AMindIsATerribleThingToWaste #HBCUpride #SupportHBCUs #CommunityImpact #CorporateSponsorship #LumosFiber #GiveBack #BlackExcellence #LeadershipMatters #EducationForAll #NetworkingWithPurpose #PhilanthropyInAction #NewportNewsVA #FutureLeaders #PurposeDrivenWork #HamptonRoads #757VA

Such an amazing evening at the Hampton Roads 2025 UNCF Mayors’ Masked Ball! It was an honor to celebrate, connect, and support the bright students who benefit from the UNCF efforts. ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste—but an incredible thing to invest in!’ Together, let’s keep paving the way for a brighter future. 🖤 #UNCF #UNCFVA #SupportHBCUs #MMBHamptonRoads #Virginia #HBCU #HamptonRoads

BREAKING RESEARCH: The "HBCU Effect" on student mental health is real! We are thrilled to announce the results of an unprecedented nationwide mental health research study in our new report "Flourishing: Bolstering the Mental Health of Students at HBCUs and PBIs"! Conducted in partnership with Healthy Minds Network and The Steve Fund, this research is grounded in surveys collected from 2,500 students across 18 HBCUs and PBIs that was compared with surveys conducted at dozens of non-HBCUs across the country. This research was designed to provide key insights on the state of mental health at HBCUs, fill critical gaps in mental health support, and create even stronger environments where all students can thrive. The findings demonstrate remarkable mental health outcomes for HBCU students, despite greater financial stressors and barriers to mental health services: • HBCU students report "flourishing" mental health at significantly higher rates than their peers. • HBCU students experience significantly lower rates of anxiety, substance use, and eating disorders • HBCU students feel a stronger sense of belonging. • HBCU students are willing to be more open about their emotions while on campus • HBCU students are more likely to believe that their institutions prioritize mental well-being. We will host two information-packed webinars based on the report: 📅 Flourishing Minds: Understanding the HBCU Mental Health Advantage - Explore the research methodology behind the report, key findings, and practical applications for institutions nationwide. (March 20, Noon EST) https://lnkd.in/eDz_yPWQ 📅 Strength in Sisterhood: Black Women's Mental Health at HBCUs - A special Women's History Month session examining unique insights about Black women's mental health experiences and support systems (March 26, Noon EST) https://lnkd.in/e8TnUiMN To read the press release, download the report, and sign up for the webinars, click on the link below! https://lnkd.in/eN6Yk8AP #HBCUStrong #MentalHealthMatters #HigherEducation #UNCFResearch