Written By Paul Garwood

A landmark gift to UNCF is set to expand scholarships, strengthen HBCUs, and open doors for thousands of Black students.

In a recent PBS interview, the head of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) explained how a historic $70 million donation will bolster HBCUs and the students they serve. The gift is one of the largest in UNCF’s history and will be used to fund scholarships, support campus infrastructure, and expand programs that help Black students enroll in, persist through, and graduate from college.

The funding comes at a time when many Black families face rising costs of living and college tuition, making higher education feel out of reach. By easing the financial burden and strengthening institutions that have long nurtured Black excellence, this gift plants seeds that will bear fruit for generations—teachers, doctors, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs.

Positive Black Network can spotlight student stories tied to UNCF scholarships, showing the human faces behind large donation numbers and reminding readers that investment in education is investment in Black futures.