Why this story matters: Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have struggled to grow their endowments, which help pay for student scholarships.
In January, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. announced it would give $100,000 to help Bennett College reach its goal to raise $5 million in order to keep its doors open. Less than a month later, in partnership with its Educational Advancement Foundation, AKA announced its pledge of $10 million to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) including $100,000 to eight in North and South Carolina over the next two years.
Bennett College, Fayetteville State University, Livingstone College, North Carolina Central University, Shaw University, South Carolina State University, St. Augustine’s University, and Voorhees College will be among the first 32 institutions to receive support from the newly established AKA-HBCU Endowment Fund. The presidents from those 32 schools will travel to Chicago to the AKA’s international headquarters to accept the first of two $50,000 installments.
“Livingstone College will benefit tremendously from this generous gift by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated,” said Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. “Colleges such as Livingstone are in need of more endowments to assist with its sustainability and to ensure that we are always here for the student population we serve. It is said that philanthropy is contagious, so I hope what the AKAs are doing will spread like wildfire to others who are in positions to do the same.”
Earlier this month, nationally syndicated radio host, Tom Joyner spoke at Livingstone College during its founder’s day celebration, helping to raise $200,000 for student scholarships.
Kallan Louis is a writer and consultant for qcitymetro.com. He does a lot, but never feels like he’s doing enough. His life can be described as a Venn Diagram: News media, Black culture and sports. He’s always on TV, but rarely seen.
