A Vote of Confidence: Trusting HBCU Leaders to Narrow the Funding Gap
Preview:
Headlines in recent weeks have indicated a flurry of philanthropic activity from a well-known donor: MacKenzie Scott. More than $300 million was invested by Scott to the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) community. Alabama State University, Alcorn State University, Howard University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Virginia State University received substantial donations, many of them the single largest in institutional history. This isn’t Scott’s first time supporting the HBCU community. In 2020, she provided more than $500 million to HBCUs across the country. Scott has an indirect connection to Howard University, studying under Howard alumna Toni Morrison while at Princeton University.
Originally published: November 4, 2025
Author: Harry L. Williams
Position: President
Institution: Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Published by: The EDU Ledger