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HBCU coalition receives $124M gift from nonprofit funder Blue Meridian Partners
NEW YORK (AP) — The HBCU Transformation Project, a coalition of 40 historically Black colleges and universities, on Wednesday announced a $124 million gift from philanthropic funders Blue Meridian Partners to increase enrollment, graduation rates and employment rates for the schools’ graduates.
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Historically Black Colleges Land $124 Million Donation to Boost Enrollment, Graduation Rates
NEW YORK (WSJ) - A philanthropic group whose funders include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and MacKenzie Scott is giving $124 million to historically Black colleges and universities, aiming to shore up—and ultimately expand—the financially strapped schools.
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A Massive Investment in HBCUs’ Future
A national philanthropy group focused on advancing social and economic mobility is donating a whopping $124 million toward bolstering historically Black colleges and universities.
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This Is What The HBCU Transformation Project Will Do With The $124 Million Donated It Received
On Wednesday, it was announced that the HBCU Transformation Project received a $124 million gift from Blue Meridian Partners. The funders bestowed the donation to the coalition of 40 historically Black colleges and universities to increase students enrolled as well as graduation and employment rates.
Expert Spokespeople
“To witness the tangible impact we've had in working together on the Transformation Project has been great. HBCUs have had and continue to have an outsized impact on the communities that they serve while providing numerous opportunities to its students.
This positive investment to intentionally collaborate with many partners who are forward-thinking and like-minded in wanting to be part of the excellent enhancements at all our HBCUs is tremendous. We are excited to be part of the change that’s happening now and the growth ahead.”
JAMES RUNCIE
CEO and Co-Founder, PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT
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James “Jim” Runcie, is CEO and co-founder of the Partnership for Education Advancement (Ed Advancement). Prior to this role, he served for eight years in the U.S. Department of Education, seven as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing strategic and operational management of FSA (Federal Student Aid), which included regulatory oversight of Title IV postsecondary institutions, management of the student loan programs and portfolio, and the implementation of numerous higher education policy initiatives.
While at FSA, Runcie helped to design and launch Project Success, which provides proactive aid and support to HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions to improve institutional performance and student outcomes. Previously, Runcie worked for 20 years in corporate finance, project and transaction management, and leadership with major domestic and international financial institutions including Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Bank of America, and UBS Investment Bank. He serves as a board member of ECMC, Class Acceleration Corp., Thrivent Mutual Funds, Skillpointe Foundation, and various local community serving organizations.
He is also an investment committee member of the College Board. Runcie is a first-generation high school and college graduate. He earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in mathematics from College of the Holy Cross.
“HBCU leaders are focused on how their institutions must change to give future generations the educational experiences they need. The Transformation Project will ensure that HBCUs will continue to be drivers of economic mobility, engines of economic activity, and champions for racial equity long into the future.”
DR. MICHAEL L. LOMAX
President and Chief Executive Officer, UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND
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Since 2004, Dr. Michael L. Lomax has served as president and CEO of United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships and other educational support to African American students and a leading advocate of college readiness: students’ need for an education, from pre-school through high school, that prepares them for college success. Under his leadership, UNCF has raised more than $3 billion and helped more than 110,000 students earn college degrees and launch careers. Annually, UNCF’s work enables 60,000 students to go to college with UNCF scholarships and attend its 37 member historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
At UNCF’s helm, Dr. Lomax oversees the organization’s 400 scholarship programs, which award 10,000 scholarships a year. He also launched the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building, which helps UNCF’s member HBCUs become stronger, more effective and more self-sustaining.
Under Dr. Lomax’s leadership, UNCF has fought for college readiness and education reform through partnerships with reform-focused leaders and organizations and worked to further advance HBCUs with Congress, the administration and the Department of Education. He serves on the boards of the KIPP Foundation, America’s Promise, Teach for America and the Studio Museum in Harlem.
Before joining UNCF, Dr. Lomax was president of Dillard University in New Orleans and a literature professor at UNCF-member institutions Morehouse and Spelman Colleges. He also founded the National Black Arts Festival, was a founding member of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and served as chairman of the Fulton County Commission in Atlanta, the first African American elected to that post.
“This Project ensures HBCUs will be at the leading edge of transformation with sustainable and systemic improvements that propel student outcomes well into the future.”
DR. HARRY L. WILLIAMS
President & CEO, THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND
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Harry L. Williams serves as President & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF’s 47 member-schools are America’s publicly supported Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), educating nearly 300,000 students. Under his leadership as President & CEO, TMCF has created innovative partnerships, increased organizational stability, and advanced bipartisan HBCU support.
A strategic thinker and visionary, Williams concluded dedicated talent development partnerships with leading corporations such as The Boeing Company, Medtronic, Visa, Ally Financial, and Hennessy USA. He successfully reimagined long-term partnerships with companies such as Lowe’s, the NBA, and Wells Fargo, cementing TMCF as the premier source for major employers seeking top diverse talent for competitive internships and corporate careers.
TMCF has been at the forefront leading on every significant national legislative victory for HBCUs, earning respect and trust from elected and appointed leaders on both sides of the aisle in Congress and the White House. In 2019, TMCF’s first legislative priority, the FUTURE Act, became law after successfully forging a coalition and identifying resources. In 2020, TMCF successfully helped secure significant federal funding to help low-resourced HBCUs meet the financial challenges of COVID-19, and continue educating their students.
As a former HBCU president, Dr. Williams leveraged his relationships with other HBCU presidents to increase cooperation between TMCF member-schools, creating a supportive network among HBCU leaders, providing a platform for sharing best practices, and acting together to ensure institutional sustainability for all HBCUs.
As President of Delaware State University, Dr. Williams enjoyed a successful eight-year tenure, increasing student enrollment and forging new public/private multimillion- dollar partnerships, grants, and investments into the campus.
He has received many awards and accolades for his career in higher education, and previously held senior positions at the University of North Carolina General Administration, Appalachian State University, and North Carolina A&T State University. Dr. Williams earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Appalachian State University, a Doctorate from East Tennessee State University, was named President Emeritus of Delaware State University, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Most importantly, he is a family man.
His wife is Dr. Robin S. Williams, and they are the proud parents of two grown sons, Austin and Gavin. Austin and his wife Reagan both graduated from Howard University. Gavin is also a Howard graduate and is now a first-year law student at Southern University Law Center. Dr. Williams also has a granddaughter, Porter Rae, who is the daughter of Austin and Reagan.
