Benjamin Soskis’ Post

W.E.B. DuBois, the Legacy of HBCU Honors Colleges and Intellectual Excellence. DuBois, born in 1868, is a key figure in African American history. He was renowned as a historian, sociologist, historian and writer and notably remembered as a pioneer in civil rights who vigorously opposed racial discrimination.   In 1903, DuBois penned "The Talented Tenth," advocating for the empowerment of the top 10% of educated African Americans, encompassing intellectuals, professionals, and leaders. He believed this elite group could drive the broader community towards comprehensive advancement. While his ideas were criticized for potentially sidelining the majority's needs, the essay ignited crucial debates on education's role in racial equality.   Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have consistently championed African American education, especially during eras marred by racial segregation. HBCUs, such as Stillman College, offer Honors College programs tailored to provide exceptional students with an enhanced educational experience. The Harte Honors College of Stillman College, launched in 1998 by President Earnest McNealey, stands as a testament to this. The program faced challenges, particularly during the COVID pandemic, but under my leadership, it underwent a significant resurgence. The Harte Honors College's reinvigoration serves as an exemplar of nurturing African American intellectual prowess, leadership, and societal advancement. In my third year of leadership I am excited that the number of Honors College scholars has tripled.   Honors College students at HBCUs enjoy a plethora of benefits: a rigorous curriculum, specialized courses, expansive research opportunities, and an intellectually vibrant community. Beyond classroom education, they engage in impactful research, nationwide internships, community service, and leadership roles. Recently they won national accolades, and showcased their prowess in national academic competitions.   DuBois's "Talented Tenth" concept finds resonance in the ethos of HBCU Honors College programs. Both emphasize shaping a select group to influence and elevate the broader community. By bridging DuBois's vision with such programs, HBCUs pave the way for outstanding African American students to academically thrive and lead in diverse fields. In essence, institutions like Stillman's Harte Honors College underscore the importance of recognizing and nurturing African American potential. During this special end of year holiday season, we are blessed to receive a very generous gift from a wealthy family in Birmingham, AL.   A Call To Action I appeal to you to help raise matching funds this month. Your gifts of $1000, $500, $250 or the most generous gift you can afford will help us reach the goal and is tax deductible. You can mail a check to Stillman Harte Honors College or https://lnkd.in/eG_Y8rD9. In the donate tab specify the Harte Honors College as shown below: Designation: Harte Honors College

Curious to learn how your university can drive Annual Giving? Check out these colleges that received donations of $100 million or more in 2023. The largest went to Stony Brook University and McPherson College. Here’s a summary of the gifts. https://ow.ly/VLal50QoM6j

🌱 The Power of a Mustard Seed, ACE Scholarships, and the Significance of Father’s Day As we celebrate Father’s Day, I'm reminded of the incredible role fathers play in nurturing the dreams and aspirations of their children. Much like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, can grow into the largest of garden plants, so too can a small act of generosity grow into a life-changing opportunity. At ACE Scholarships we believe in the transformative power of educational choice. Each scholarship we provide is like a tiny mustard seed, filled with the potential to flourish into something magnificent. These scholarships enable children to attend schools that best fit their needs, fostering environments where they can thrive academically and personally. Fathers are often the ones who plant these seeds of hope, encouraging their children to dream big and work hard. We've seen firsthand how these opportunities can change the trajectory of a child's life, turning dreams into realities. It’s a reminder that even the smallest contributions can have a profound impact when nurtured with care and dedication. This Father’s Day, let's honor the fathers who inspire, guide, and support their children’s educational journeys. By supporting ACE Scholarships you're not just funding an education; you're planting a seed of hope, growth, and endless possibilities for future generations. Together, let's continue to sow these seeds and witness the extraordinary gardens they become. https://lnkd.in/gbDtyC8x #FathersDay #EducationalChoice #ACEsScholarships #Inspiration #Hope #Growth #PlantingSeeds

The Bill Gatton Foundation Donates $5 Million to UK for Student Scholarships - THE BILL GATTON FOUNDATION has pledged $5 million to support student scholarships at the University of Kentucky, with a focus on eliminating unmet financial needs among Kentuckians and those interested in medical careers. - This donation, approved by the UK Board of Trustees, marks the third such contribution from the foundation, totaling $15 million, and follows Mr. Gatton's passing in April 2022. - The scholarships will target students from all 120 counties in Kentucky, providing $1,000-$15,000 per student per year based on financial need and academic progress. - First-year students from Muhlenberg and McLean counties, as well as undergraduate students who attended The Gatton Academy, are eligible for merit-based scholarships of up to $15,000 per year, renewable for up to four years. - Additionally, 40 scholarships of up to $25,000 each will be awarded to students from Kentucky in UK’s College of Medicine, with preference given to first-year students from medically underserved counties. - The Bill Gatton Scholarship Program has already awarded 94 merit scholarships for undergraduate students, 100 merit scholarships for medical students, and 1,178 scholarships through the UK LEADS program. - The impact of Mr. Gatton’s contributions extends beyond scholarships, with record-breaking gifts to the Gatton College of Business and Economics, the Gatton Student Center, and a $100 million gift to the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. - The University of Kentucky, as the state’s flagship institution, is committed to advancing the Commonwealth through education, research, and service, with a focus on preparing the next generation of leaders and transforming lives through its programs and initiatives. For Donor Intelligence, please contact Diligencify at info@diligencify.com #Diligence #DueDiligence #KYC #Donor #Donation #Compliance #University #Casino #Banking #EDD #RealEstate #HNWI #UHNWI #Dossier #Foundation #Alumni #Wealth #WealthIntelligence #Sanctions #CDD #PEP #DonorSearch #Luxury #Millionaire #Billionaire #RiskIntelligence #Data #DonorIntelligence #NonProfit #Gambling #Wealthy #Influencers #WorldCheck #Litigation #Networth #Diligencify

"The endowment inequities are particularly vast when looking at the endowments of the nineteen Black land grant universities. Collectively, the nineteen non-HBCU land grant universities (known as 1862 institutions) in southern states hold more than $45 billion in endowment assets, while the nineteen land grant institutions that are HBCUs (known as 1890 institutions) in those same states hold just $1 billion in endowment assets—an astounding 45-to-1 difference." #hbcu #financialequity #endowment #itsnecessary #opportunitygap #closethegap #preserveblackhistory #ifwedontwhowill

Legacy scholarships provide peace to family members that a loved one's memory continues on – it cascades benefits to those fortunate enough to receive a monetary gift. Chair of our Trusts and Estates Practice Group, Tracy Adler Craig, discussed the multiple ways families can set up either a one-time gift or ongoing scholarship, and how being proactive can open up more opportunities in the Next Avenue article, “How to Leave a Legacy Scholarship.” Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eqdDa2sc #charitablegiving #estateplanning

While the sticker price for some private, nonprofit universities has ballooned to as much as $100,000, the average net price (after institutional grant aid is deducted from the sticker price) has actually dropped in recent years and is now around $16,000. For public colleges, the average net price has also been dropping and is now just under $2,500.

🏝👩🎓 Pennsylvania is an 𝗢𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 for Higher Education: "Pennsylvania has the fourth 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 higher education institutions of any state," according to Inside Higher Ed. The 85 #AICUP independent #nonprofit #colleges and #universities anchor 30 counties and serve 275,000 students annually from all 67 counties in #PA. That’s in addition to the state’s many state and state-related colleges, community colleges, and vocational colleges (𝟮𝟱𝟬 postsecondary institutions according to the #Pennsylvania Department of Education). 

Highlighting an opportunity to support the Boston Collegiate Charter School, a historic Boston school focused on preparing students from all backgrounds for college. Since their first graduating class in 2004, 100% of Boston Collegiate's diploma-earning seniors have been accepted to four-year colleges, and 75% have earned a degree or are persisting toward one. BCCS students achieve these high rates with the help of the Edward M. Kennedy Scholarship Fund, which supports graduates pursuing degrees by covering tuition and living expenses. Please consider supporting the Fund: 1) Purchase tickets to their upcoming fundraiser and enjoy a fun night with friend or family at local brewery 2) Make a tax-deductible donation to the fundraiser (personal, employer, or raffle item) 3) Share this post with your network https://lnkd.in/g-HNQsst

Good 4 Thought 🤔::- Particularly even when a small step of FAITH no matter what the background -:) The hilly suburbs or the remote Oasis can still make a difference with "Thought Stimulants" & Resources that could Drive some Philanthropic Activities & Initiatives. As its AIMED at::.. Fostering confidence, perseverance, tolerance & integrity; to enhance communication skills; to embrace creativity; to encourage teamwork; and to promote an open-minded and outward-looking mentality so that boys are ready to make a really positive contribution to their wider community. "Eton has benefited from a long history of philanthropy right back to its very foundation.  We flourish today thanks to the generosity of Old Etonians, parents and friends and we will advance further as that tradition grows. The gifts we receive help us to develop in so many areas.  They underpin our transformative Bursaries Programme and enable us to develop powerful partnerships outside the walls of Eton.  Those walls themselves have also been strengthened, restored and renewed, ensuring that our facilities provide an appropriate setting for the world-class teaching that takes place within. All this is founded on the strength of support we receive from so many Old Etonians, parents and friends.  Through gifts at all levels, both to the endowment and to current programmes, our community of benefactors enables so much of what makes Eton special. Philanthropy is also key to the delivery of our new initiative, the Eton Star Schools Programme, through which we aim to share our resources and expertise to support the great task of reducing educational inequality in the UK.  It is a bold challenge which will help others but strengthen us too – an outcome for the benefit of all.  You can read more about each of our key priority areas below. I hope you will join us." Justin Nolan, Executive Director of Communications, Engagement and Development" https://lnkd.in/eD9NR8Ux