UNCF

Before students pack their bags for college this fall, here’s something worth thinking about. 🤔💡🎓

What if one of the biggest benefits of attending an HBCU isn’t found in a textbook?

New research shows that Black students who attend HBCUs often report stronger mental health outcomes and a greater sense of belonging.

Because success isn’t just about earning a degree. It’s about being part of a community that supports your well-being, celebrates your identity, and empowers you to thrive.

That’s the HBCU difference. ✊🏾✊🏼✊🏿✊🏻

Want more stories, research, and insights shaping the future of HBCUs? Subscribe to the UNCF Substack through the link in our bio. 📚

💬 How did your college experience impact your confidence, well-being, or sense of belonging?

HBCU and Charter School Partnerships: Legacy & Innovation

At a time when public education faces critical scrutiny, HBCUs and charter schools are finding common ground in a shared mission: educational excellence in Black communities. Across the country, HBCU presidents are partnering directly with charter school leaders to strengthen college and career pipelines for students, while national partners are making strategic investments to scale what's working in cities. This session gathers the leaders driving this work for an honest conversation about why these partnerships are gaining momentum, how local leaders are making them real on the ground, and what it takes to move from one-off collaborations to durable, city-level strategies that change outcomes for students.

Panelists:
Dr. Monique Guillory
President, Dillard University

Ronnie Hopkins
President, Voorhees University

Jasmine Jenkins
Program Officer, Bloomberg Philanthropies

Angela Lang
Co-Founder & Executive Director
I Dream Big Academy (Stillman College)

“Freedom is both a historical milestone and an ongoing responsibility.”

As Shanita Brackett, Acting Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, reminds us, Juneteenth is not just a celebration of freedom. It’s a reminder of what we owe to future generations.

🎓 The responsibility to create opportunity.

🎓 The responsibility to invest in potential.

🎓 The responsibility to ensure every student has the chance to pursue their dreams.

At UNCF, we carry that responsibility forward every day through scholarships, HBCUs, and the students whose leadership will shape tomorrow.

Because freedom’s greatest legacy is what we make possible for the next generation.

Before Juneteenth became a federal holiday, one woman spent decades ensuring America would never forget its meaning.

Today, UNCF honors the legacy of Opal Lee, educator, activist, HBCU alumna, and the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

Her work was about more than a date on the calendar. It was about expanding freedom, opportunity, and progress for generations to come.

That same spirit lives on at HBCUs across the country, where students are empowered to learn, lead, and change the world.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom must be protected, expanded, and invested in.

Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Honor Opal Lee’s legacy by investing in the next generation of leaders through UNCF.

And tell us: Who invested in your mind and helped shape your future? Tag them below and help us give them their flowers. 💐💐💐

Before Juneteenth became a federal holiday, one woman spent decades ensuring America would never forget its meaning.

Today, UNCF honors the legacy of Opal Lee, educator, activist, HBCU alumna, and the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

Her work was about more than a date on the calendar. It was about expanding freedom, opportunity, and progress for generations to come.

That same spirit lives on at HBCUs across the country, where students are empowered to learn, lead, and change the world.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom must be protected, expanded, and invested in.

Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Honor Opal Lee’s legacy by investing in the next generation of leaders through UNCF.

And tell us: Who invested in your mind and helped shape your future? Tag them below and help us give them their flowers. 💐

Meet the UNCF Atlanta Interns!

A new cohort of talented interns has officially joined the Atlanta office and is already gaining hands-on experience supporting UNCF ICB across research, program development, logistics, and operations. They are also contributing to key initiatives, including Unite 2026 and Project ACCLAIM, while gaining exposure to the strategy, coordination, and ex*****on that drive mission-focused work.

We are excited to welcome them into this space as they grow, develop their skills, and contribute to the work that supports UNCF scholars, the HBCU community, and the broader higher education landscape. Their journey is just beginning, and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish.

Give these interns a hand in the comments 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 and help us welcome them to the team!

🎓 📚June scholarships are LIVE! Your next opportunity could be just one application away. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

From STEM majors and community leaders to performing artists and incoming freshmen, UNCF’s June scholarship opportunities are designed to help students take the next step toward their educational goals.

💰 Awards ranging from $2,500 to $8,500
📚 Opportunities for high school seniors, undergraduate students, and HBCU scholars
⏰ Deadlines begin June 26

Swipe through to find scholarships that match your journey, then head to uncf.org/scholarships to apply.

Tag a student, share with your study group, and help someone secure funding for the year ahead.