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The College Board's Ericka Miller, chief of membership, governance and higher education and secretary of the corporation, welcomed Dr. Michael Lomax and engaged in conversation about increasing scholarships and providing opportunities that will allow more young African Americans to succeed in college and career.
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DR. LOMAX SERVES AS HONORARY CHAIR AND PLENARY SPEAKER DURING COLLEGE BOARD CONFERENCE
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UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax recently served as the honorary chair and plenary speaker during the 12th annual A Dream Deferred conference in Charlotte, NC, hosted by the College Board. He spoke about the future of African American education in addressing more than 400 school counselors and teachers, college admissions and outreach coordinators, K-12and higher education administrators, community leaders, legislators and policymakers, and parent engagement coordinators.
"We have made significant gains in opening the doors of college to those previously left out," Lomax told the group. "But for many, the dream is as far away as ever, which in fact makes it a dream deferred. Why? Because too many students receive an inadequate K-12 education, leaving them poorly prepared for college."
According to 2015 data from the College Board:
- 16.7 percent of 10th grade African American PSAT takers met the grade-level benchmark for college and career readiness, compared with 54.7 percent of white students-a 38 percentage point gap.
- 21.9 percent of 11th grade African American PSAT takers met the grade-level benchmark for college and career readiness, compared with 61.2 percent of whites-nearly a 40-point gap.
- 16.1 percent of African American SAT takers met the college and career readiness benchmark, compared with 52.8 percent of white students.
Both UNCF and the College Board are working every day
to ensure that students have access to a rigorous curriculum that prepares them for the demands of college and career and paves solid pathways to better futures.
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(Left to Right) Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF president and CEO; Sylvia M. Young Smith, Fund II; Joel Klein, former New York City Schools chancellor; Reverend Al Sharpton, National Action Network president; Richard Parsons, Providence Equity senior advisor; Dr. Haywood Strickland, president, Wiley College
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NOTABLES HONORED DURING NEW YORK'S
"A MIND IS..." GALA
UNCF's 2016 national "A Mind Is..." Gala was held March 3 at the Grand Hyatt New York. More than 900 guests attended the 72nd anniversary event, which honored former New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein with the President's Award; National Action Network President the Rev. Al Sharpton with the Shirley Chisholm Award for Community Service; and Fund II Foundation and its chairman, Robert F. Smith, with UNCF's highest honor─the Frederick D. Patterson Award. The event raised more than $1 million to assist students with getting to and through college.
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UNCF AND FUND II FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE NEW STEM INITIATIVE
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Sylvia M. Young Smith accepts UNCF's Frederick D. Patterson Award on behalf of Fund II. |
At the "A Mind Is..." Gala, UNCF and Fund II Foundation announced the launch of a major scholarship program benefitting African American students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars Program is a $48 million initiative aimed at addressing diversity gaps that exist in the STEM fields by creating a pipeline that will prepare African American students for careers in technology and innovation.
"For years, the alarm bells have been ringing about the nation's need for a more robust STEM education and career pipeline for people of color," Dr. Lomax said. "African Americans are woefully underrepresented in the STEM workforce, and yet, are one of the largest consumers within the STEM economy. We are proud to partner with Fund II Foundation to break that cycle and give high-performing, highly motivated African American students a chance to become the next generation of STEM-industry creators."
Click here for more information.
Video
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Sylvia M. Young Smith accepts UNCF's Frederick D. Patterson Award on behalf of Fund II. |
At the "A Mind Is..." Gala, UNCF and Fund II Foundation announced the launch of a major scholarship program benefitting African American students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars Program is a $48 million initiative aimed at addressing diversity gaps that exist in the STEM fields by creating a pipeline that will prepare African American students for careers in technology and innovation.
"For years, the alarm bells have been ringing about the nation's need for a more robust STEM education and career pipeline for people of color," Dr. Lomax said. "African Americans are woefully underrepresented in the STEM workforce, and yet, are one of the largest consumers within the STEM economy. We are proud to partner with Fund II Foundation to break that cycle and give high-performing, highly motivated African American students a chance to become the next generation of STEM-industry creators."
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| Jumohny Walker, Virginia Union University Class of 2016, performs the National Anthem and "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
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UNCF EMPOWER ME TOUR
WRAPS UP IN SOUTH CAROLINA
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The UNCF Empower Me Tour (EMT)─a free, traveling college-and-career-readiness road show─made its final stop of the 2015-2016 academic year in Columbia, SC, on March 4 and 5. Students received on-site scholarship, internship and job offers as well as admission to select historically black colleges and universities. EMT impacted thousands of high school and college students across five cities thanks to the support of national sponsors Darden Foundation, FedEx, Procter & Gamble, the U.S. Marine Corps and Wells Fargo.
"The UNCF Empower Me Tour makes the possibility of college real to many young people across the nation by equipping students and parents with information, tools and resources to help them make informed decisions," said Gigi Dixon, director of strategic partnerships for Wells Fargo. "Wells Fargo is excited to team up with UNCF once again to provide students with interview training and job opportunities upon graduation."
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UNCF APPLAUDS INTRODUCTION OF
HBCU INNOVATION FUND ACT
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UNCF applauds Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) for introducing the HBCU Innovation Fund Act (HR 4857), legislation that would promote innovations and creative solutions to post-secondary education challenges at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including UNCF's 37 member institutions. UNCF has worked closely with Congresswoman Adams on matters of importance to the HBCU community since her election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.
UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax stated, "This legislation would build the capacity of our colleges to develop, test and implement new approaches that can help HBCUs surmount current challenges and meet the nation's need for skilled college graduates. Similar to the UNCF Career Pathways Initiative, a new private competitive grant program that will help selected HBCUs intentionally and innovatively increase postgraduate employment outcomes, the HBCU Innovation Fund will support a broader strategic federal investment through both planning and implementation grants to drive innovative ideas and best practices at HBCUs. We urge swift adoption of this important initiative, whose possibilities are unlimited."
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UNCF
1805 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
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