D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund Forum

Every Tuesday the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund organization will highlight a HBCU Chancellor or President. This is in promotion of our social media campaign to bring awareness and support the excellence of historically black colleges and universities.

This Tuesday (9/29/15), we highlighted Dr. Willie D. Larkin, (pictured on the right), President of Grambling State University.

Dr. Willie D. Larkin began serving as the 9th President of Grambling State University on July 1, 2015.

Dr. Larkin is a former Kellogg Fellow who earned his doctorate in Agricultural Education from The Ohio State University, where he specialized in 4-H and Youth Development. He earned both his bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education and a master's degree in Extension Education from Tuskegee University.

As the son of sharecropper parents who never had the chance to go to college, Dr. Willie D. Larkin recognized the value of higher education from an early age and has always strived to help others achieve their dream of a college education. As the ninth president of Grambling State University, he vows to continue the university's historic commitment to put students first and prepare them to become leaders, pioneers and innovators.

Dr. Larkin has served as Chief of Staff to leaders of Morgan State University (a historically black college and university located in Baltimore, Maryland), and the University of Wisconsin colleges, where he worked directly with the Chancellor and the President of Morgan State University, to provide oversight of nearly 300,000 employees and an operating budget of more than $300 million. At Auburn University, he was faculty advisor to the University's Board of Trustees and the first African American to chair the University's 90-Member University Senate.

With his extensive experience in education, Dr. Larkin began his career by working more than 20 years as a leadership and organizational development specialist at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, where he created leadership and economic development initiatives for the state of Alabama. Dr. Larkin is also a nationally recognized motivational speaker, trainer, consultant, and writer who delivers high-impact speeches and seminars on personal and professional empowerment, leadership, conflict resolution and diversity in the workplace.

#ChooseGramblingState

For more information about Grambling State University, visit www.gram.edu.

BATON ROUGE, LA - Southern University wide receiver Devon Gales sustained a spinal injury during Saturday's game against the University of Georgia in Sanford Stadium.

On Sunday, Southern University released an update on his condition status, "Devon Gales underwent a successful spinal surgery Sunday afternoon. Gales suffered several fractures in his neck that were stabilized. He continue to have movement in his upper body and remains in good spirits and will remain at Athens Regional until he is released to return to Baton Rouge for further treatment."

The Gales family, along with Interim Athletics Director Roman Banks and the entire Southern University family are extremely thankful for all of the prayers and well wishes that Devon has received from many people nation wide. And asks for your continued prayers and thoughts for Devon and the entire Gales family during this difficult time. The family is also asking for privacy at this time.

"The HBCU Campaign Fund would like to send our prayers to a full recovery of wide receiver Devon Gales and our thoughts are with the Gales family, Jaguar football team, and the entire Southern University family during this difficult time." said in a statement to the Southern University from Demetrius Johnson Jr., President and Founder of HBCU Campaign Fund.

The Southern University Athletics, along with the Southern University Foundation, launched the Devon Gales Fund on Monday afternoon in an effort to provide financial assistance to Gales and his family to cover medical expenses.

Contributions to the Devon Gales Fund can be made on the Devon Gates Fund webpage or mailed to the following address:

Southern University System Foundation

C/O Devon Gales Fund

PO Box 9562

Baton Rouge, LA 70813

RICHMOND, VA - The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund joins our August 2015 Supported Institution, Virginia Union University in mourning the lost of President Emeritus Dr. Allix Bledsoe James (1922-2015) who served as the seventh President of VUU.

Dr. James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1944 and later, a Master of Divinity degree from Virgina Union. He also received a Master's and Doctorate from Union Theological Seminary. He returned to VUU in 1947 as an instructor of Biblical Studies and received several promotions as Dean of Students, and then Dean of the Graduate School of Religion and Vice-President. In 1970, he was appointed as the seventh president of Virginia Union University, serving from 1970-1979.

In 1970, during Dr. James' first year as president, Coburn Hall was destroyed by fire. It was one of the original "nine buildings" to stand on VUU's campus. Coburn Hall was eventually rebuilt and now houses the Dr. Allix B. James Chapel which holds services at 11:00 a.m. each Thursday.

Dr. James stepped down from presidency and took a year's sabbatical leave. He returned as a a full professor of theology and retired completely from VUU in 1993. He was devoted spiritfully and financially to the welfare of Virginia Union University and established two endowed scholarships at the University, one in honor of his father Samuel H. James, and another to honor his wife, Sue N. James.

Dr. James served as the paster of several churches and is a well-respected public servant. He was the first African-American to be elected as President of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and the first to be elected president of the Virginia State Board of Election. Dr. James was the first African-American to be elected to serve on a major corporate board in Virginia, the first to serve as President of the Virginia Region of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (now the National Conference for Community and Justice).

"The HBCU Campaign Fund sends our thoughts, prayers and deep sympathy to the James family and the campus of VUU during this sadden time of lost. Please know that we at HBCU Campaign will be thinking of those who all knew Dr. James during this time of mourning but yet celebrating a great man who lived beyond greatness during his time on earth." - Statement to the VUU community from Demetrius Johnson Jr., President and Founder of HBCU Campaign Fund.

Services for Dr. Allix B. James include a viewing on Friday, October 2, 2015, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 216 W Leigh St., Richmond, VA, 23220, and Funeral service on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Coburn Hall inside the Dr. Allix Bledsoe James Chapel on the campus of Virginia Union University.

AUSTIN, TX - Huston-Tillotson University, a private historically black college and university located in Austin, Texas, has been awarded a significant grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) efforts. The NSF's Historically Black College and University Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) awarded HT's Natural Sciences Department $398,330 over the next three years to support an initiative titled, "HT-ASSERT - Attaining and Sustaining STEM Excellence with Research Training."

"This educational model transforms Huston-Tillotson University's science offerings to attract more minorities in STEM fields," said HT President and Chief Executive Officer Colette Pierce Burnette, Ed.D., who earned her undergraduate degree in engineering.

HT-ASSERT will enhance the preparedness of natural science majors for STEM careers and graduate study by re-configuring the curriculum to emphasize undergraduate research. The initiative encompasses inquiry-based laboratory instruction in gateway science courses, the introduction of capstone research projects for biology and chemistry majors, summer undergraduate research internships, student professional development, laboratory equipment, and the faculty training needed to support a research-based curriculum.

HT faculty Amando Masino, Associate Professor of Biology, stated that "providing undergraduate research training stands out among best practices in undergraduate STEM education as highly predictive of graduate school success, particularly for underrepresented groups. This valuable hands-on research training will flow across the curriculum."

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1960 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, welfare; and to secure the national defense. NSF is the funding source for approximately 24 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.

Huston-Tillotson University, is Austin's oldest institution of higher education, offering associates and bachelor's degrees in more than 19 areas of study to a diverse population of students who are majority African-American. The university also offers the Master of Educational Leadership with Principal Certification.

HOUSTON, TX - Texas Southern University's Board of Regents has spoken for the first time Saturday after the growing list of complaints that were taken to social media from students under the hashtag #TakeBackTXSU.

"I'm a full-time enrolled student who is also homeless. I live out of my car," TSU transfer student Brett Lincoln tells ABC 13.

According to ABC 13, a new found friend opened her couch to Lincoln, who transferred to TSU last month. But he tells us most nights he sleeps in his care because the university hasn't been able to get him into campus housing.

"A couple of nights I was at the H-E-B. But you get a knock from the police saying hey they just shot a guy sleeping here with his wife and kids, people are walking up knocking people out who are sleeping in their cars and robbing them, you may need to move around," he said.

Glenn O. Lewis, the Chairman of the Board of Regents, told ABC 13 Saturday that he knew some housing issues existed.

He says delays to the 800-bed dormitory that was suppose to open this semester left the Housing division scrambling. "But some of these other things, I was not aware of until I started to pick them up on social media," he said.

Lack of hosing, problems with financial aid, a lose of connection of TSU's history and traditions are just a few of the issues raised on social media with the hashtag #TakeBackTxSU.

Another tweeted, "$130 library fee per semester but the printers don't even have paper in them."

"This movement is not to bash our university," said junior Sociology major Mary Rucker. "We love our university. If we didn't love it so much we wouldn't be here. We love it enough that we want to change it."

Board Chairman Glenn O. Lewis says he contacted the administration, including President Dr. John Rudley, to find out the basis of the complaints.

"We picked up some piecemeal information. But what I told him rather than deal with this piecemeal, what we need for them to do is find out all of the complaints." Lewis says. "Compile all the concerns into the comprehensive report for the next Board meeting in October telling us what they found out and present a plan for addressing those concerns."

Students were able to sit in a closed door town hall meeting on campus Monday.

Student Government Association President Crystal Owens says students want to make sure they all enjoy the campus they chose to go to.

"One thing we don't want anybody to misinterpret is that we are on TSU. We are one student body and we all stand together. What affects one of us affects all of us," she says.

Next, student leaders and administrators will meet to discuss every concern raised in Monday's meeting. The Board of Regents has instructed the president to have a plan ready by the next board meeting in October.

TSU's released a statement in regards to the student concerns and the #TakeBackTxSU moverment:

The Board of Regents of Texas Southern University is concerned about institutional issues being expressed in the last few days by some TSU students. Board Chair Glenn O. Lewis says that the Regents are ready to hear student complaints and reach consensus with the university administration. Regent Lewis says Texas Southern's leadership will work swiftly to resolve students' problems and put systems in place to insure that there isn't any reoccurrence of administrative problems.

TSU students have planned a town hall meeting this week to discuss their experiences with academic and institutional issues. Students are expected to offer their ideas about methods of improvement in critical areas.

Texas Southern administrators are respecting the students' wishes to have a private meeting and discuss their specific problems. TSU students will share their concerns with the administration who will respond and go forward with a resolution process. The Board of Regents has asked Texas Southern's administration to deliver a presentation to the board regarding student issues at its upcoming meeting on October 16.

MARSHALL, TX - Cameron Smith, a junior from St. Louis, Missouri. Cameron, who is a member of Wiley debate team, was selected to represent the college in an elite tournament this past week in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He took part in the Alexis Elliott Memorial Round Robin, competing in NFA-Lincoln Douglas Debate at Western Kentucky University. This annual tournament selects 12 students from top schools around the country to face off in a "Round Robin" style tournament competing in NFA-LD Debate.

The Alexis Elliott is named for a debater who passed away while she was a student at Western Kentucky University. "Alexis was one of the best debaters in the country," said Christopher Medina, Director of Forensics at Wiley College. "It is highly fitting and appropriate that such a tournament be named in her honor."

Wiley's Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, Dr. Joseph L. Morale, said this type of honor underlines what can happen when students get involved in co-curricular activities they enjoy. "Cameron is a hard worker who, like his teammates, loves the sport of debate," said Morale. "These students care about winning, but they are equally focused on being excellent, performing well behind the podium; and celebrating the legacy of debate at Wiley College.

The 12 competitor will be representing schools from seven states, including schools in California, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and others. Cameron said he is honored to represent Wiley by participating in the tournament. "I hope to make everyone proud! I'll give it my all."

Cameron also excelled as a debater in high school. In 2013, he had the honor to meet President Barack Obama at the White House in recognition of his achievements as a member of the St. Louis Urban Debate League.

MEET MELVIN B. TOLSON (1898 - 1966)

Melvin B. Tolson was an American Modernist poet, educator, columnist, and politician. Born in Moberly, Missouri, he was one of four children. Tolson graduated from Lincoln High School in Kansas City in 1919. He enrolled at Fisk University but transferred to Lincoln University, Pennsylvania the following year. He graduated with honors in 1924. He also became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

In 1922, Tolson married Ruth Southhall, after graduation, he and his wife moved to Marshall, Texas, where he taught Speech and English at Wiley College. In addition to teaching English, he build a award-winning debate team, the Wiley Forensic Society. During their tour in 1935, they broke  through the color barrier and completed against the University of Southern California, which they defeated. He mentored students such as James L. Farmer Jr., and Herman Sweatt, who later became civil rights activists.

In 1930-31, Tolson went on to obtain a Master's degree at Columbia University. His thesis project, "The Harlem Group of Negro Writers," was based on his extensive interviews with members of the Harlem Renaissance. His poetry was strongly influenced by his time in New York. he completed his worked and was awarded a Master's degree in 1940.

In 1947, Tolson began teaching at Langston University, where he worked there for 17 years. He was a dramatist and director of the Dust Bowl Theater at the University. One of his students at Langston University Nathan Hare, who was a black studies pioneer who became the founding publisher of the journal The Black Scholar.

In 1947 Liberia appointed Tolson its Poet Laureate. And from 1954 to 1960, he entered politics and served three terms as mayor of Langston. In  1965, he was appointed a two-year term at Tuskegee Institute, where he was Avalon Poet.

Tolson died after cancer surgery on August 29, 1966.

Throughout the Month of September, we're celebrating the rich history and honoring the prestigious tradition of Wiley College during the HBCU Campaign Fund's HBCU of the Month Supported Institution campaign. You can help us celebrate by posting your #WCWildcat pride news and pictures using the OFFICIAL celebration hashtag #SeptemberWC.

Learn more about the September WC campaign and donate $18.73 in honor of Wiley College founding year and in support of the institution's strive to continue to serve academic excellence HISTORICALLY, visit our website - www.hbcucampaign.org/donate.

PINE BLUFF, ARK. - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (a historically black college and university) is kicking off their welcome back week with full-length events ending with Spelman College alumna Keshia Knight Pulliam as their Welcome Week Speaker.

Welcome back week at UAPB will be happening during the week of August 24, which is the week that classes begin. Keshia is schedule to speak on Thursday, August 27 at the Hathaway-Howard Fine Arts Auditorium located on the campus. The event begins at 7pm.

Keshia is best known for her childhood role as Rudy Huxtable on the Cosby Show, she played the role from 1984 until 1992. Before the Cosby Show, she played "Keshia" on the Sesame street at the age of three. She has also starred in Tyler Perry's House of Payne.

For more information about this event contact the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at 870.575.8866.

The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund non-profit organization is seeking members for its HBCU of the Month Initiative program committee.

The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign HBCU of the Month Initiative program committee will be made up of HBCU faculty and staff, students and alumni. The committee members will be able to suggest ideas, vote to approve on ideas and proposals that passes through for the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund HBCU of the Month Initiative program. Committee members will be able to nominate HBCU to be part of each following year of the HBCU of the Month Initiative schedule.

During the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund HBCU of the Month Initiative program each year, the organization celebrates the rich history and honor the prestigious tradition of twelve HBCUs. Also during the institution perspective celebration month, the organization seeks to raise contributions for the institutions and scholarships to provide to a student who is in financial need.

If you are interested in applying as a member for the HBCU of the Month Initiative program committee, click here to download application.

Every Tuesday the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund organization will highlight a HBCU Chancellor or President. This is in promotion of our social media campaign to bring awareness and support the excellence of historically black colleges and universities.

This Tuesday (8/11/15), we highlighted Dr. Claude G. Perkins, (pictured on the right), President of Virginia Union University University.

Dr. Claude Grandford Perkins is the 12th President of Virginia Union University. Since his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in January 2009, the University has undergone a major transformations. Dr. Perkins' achievements include increases in enrollment, scholarships, retention, and the university's net assets.

Dr. Perkins earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from The Ohio University, a Master of Arts Degree from Purdue University, and the Bachelor of Science Degree from Mississippi Valley State University. He has completed further study at Vanderbilt University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Perkins' commitment to serving the community has led to record breaking hours of student volunteer service in the Richmond metro area. Virginia Union has been honored by President Barack Obama with placement on the Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll four times during Dr. Perkins' presidency. Dr. Perkins has expanded his leadership role throughout the Greater Richmond community and beyond, serving as a past member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Richmond's Future, as well as past chairperson of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's (CIAA) Board of Directors. Currently, Dr. Perkins serves as Executive Committee of Venture Richmond, and the Steering Committee of Future Richmond's Past. He is a member of the SunTrust Band Mid-Atlantic Advisory Board, Richmond Management RoundTable, and Bridging Richmond. In addition, Dr. Perkins serves on the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Corporate Board of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

Because of his ardent support of the value added proposition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Dr. Perkins is in demand as a national spokesperson. He recently served as the keynote speaker for the 32nd Annual UNCF Martin Luther King Day Breakfast. He joined several other HBCU presidents for an HBCU Panel Discussion at the City Club of Cleveland in June 2015, and in November 2014 he participated in an HBCU Presidents Panel in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Virginia Union University. Dr. Perkins was also a panelist at the National Action Network Annual Conference. In addition, he has been interviewed by National Public Radio, WRIC-TV, WTVR-TV and WWBT-TV.

Dr. Perkins' successful efforts to get the university fully accredited have led to numerous accolades for the university, including designation by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Best Regional Colleges. Dr. Perkins' support of faculty and students has led to an increase in faculty publications and student learning experiences. The first Fulbright Scholar under his presidency was recently completed and a new partnership with Meharry Medical College has created substantial opportunities for Virginia Union's science majors.

Dr. Perkins' is the father of two songs and one daughter, he is married to Cheryl Elizabeth Perkins.

#ChooseVUU

For more information about Virginia Union University, visit www.vuu.edu

Each year in August, the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund President and Founder Demetrius Johnson Jr., announces five HBCUs that was pre-selected to be part of the organization HBCU of the Month Initiative Program.

This year, Demetrius had the audience and the organization Board of Directors help him in choosing which HBCUs will take part in the 2016 Initiative schedule.

The five (5) HBCUs announced were the 2015 HBCU of the Year Claflin University, South Carolina State University, Mississippi Valley State University, North Carolina Central University and Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. These five HBCUs will be among 12 HBCUs to be celebrated during their prespective months of the 2016 HBCU of the Month Initiative schedule.

The other seven (7) HBCUs will be voted by the audience during the 2nd annual Initiative Achievement Awards in November. After those seven has been voted in, the months will then be assigned to the HBCUs and the entire list will then be re-announced.

SAVE THE MONTH: The 2016 D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund's HBCU of the Month Initiative schedule will be fully announced this December 2015.

Which HBCUs do you think should be among the 7 others HBCUs to be yet announced as an HBCU Campaign 2015 'HBCU of the Month' school?

WILBERFORCE, OH - Central State University (a historically black college and university) located in Wilberforce, Ohio has received $4.4 million from the state of Ohio for Agriculture Research and Extension initiatives as part of the FY2016-FY2017 budget bill signed by Ohio Governor John Kasich.

Is is the first major support by the state of the University's Land-Grant initiatives. These funds are part of a state match requirement resulting from Central State University's (CSU) designation as an 1890 Land-Grant Institution and will fuel the capacity expansion of agriculture and agricultural-related research and extension services. The University plans to add academic degrees, concentrations and certificate programs in agriculture.

New departments and programs planned:

• A new Department of Agriculture within the College of Science and Engineering that will offer a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture (Fall 2016). Student selecting this major will have the added benefit of participating in meaningful research, with qualified faculty, that will serve Ohio and have national and international implications.
• A new School of Agriculture Education and Food Science in the College of Education. Bachelor of Science degrees will be offered in Agricultural Education and in Extension Education.
• A new certificate program focused on preparing student for Future Farmers of America (FFA) certification is under development. These programs are designed to increase the talent pool of agriculture educators and industry specialists and are planned for Fall, 2016.

As we celebrate, honor and campaign for Central State University during D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund's July HBCU of the Month campaign, we would like to share some distinguish achievements by alumnus from the university.

Meet Tori Moore, who is a May 2015 Chemistry major graduate. She was offered and accepted a position as Researcher (Beauty) with Procter and Gamble in Cincinnati, OH. During her sophomore year at Central State University, Tori applied and was selected to participate at a seminar geared toward researchers. The Research Your Future in Science Seminar had over 1200 applicants choosing only 12 and Ms. Moore was one of the chosen. During the seminar Tori was offered an internship position for the summer and at the conclusion of the internship was then offered a full time position as a Researcher in Beauty R&B.

"Working at P&G has always been a goal of mine." said Tori.

We at D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund congratulates Ms. Moore and wishes her the best and that she continues prosper in her career! You are definitely Central!

Join us as we celebrate the rich history, honor the prestigious tradition and campaign for Central State University as our July HBCU of the Month Supported Institution. You can participate by showing your Marauder pride using the hashtag #JulyCSU. You can also donate to Central State through the July Central State campaign on our website @ www.hbcucampaign.org/donate and scroll down to July 2015 - Central State University.

Visit Central State HBCU of the Month honoree page on our website here.

WASHINGTON, DC - UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization has announced yesterday (July 21) that it has received a $500,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to support UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building's (ICB) Fiscal and Strategic Technical Assistance Program (FASTAP). The grant awarded in January 2015 is part of an eight-year commitment of more than $2.7 million from the Walmart Foundation that focuses on financial and administrative management and capacity building of UNCF's 37 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Since the beginning of the Walmart Foundation's support of UNCF's ICB, 23 of its member HBCUs have received grants for Reaffirmation Readiness Reviews, focusing on improving financial operations, Interim Five-Year Reaffirmation Readiness Reviews or Deep Dive Institutional Assessments, targeting multiple areas including financial operations, institutional effectiveness, enrollment management and advancement. UNCF have also supported their member institutions by providing High-Priority Technical Assistance which provides the college or university an assigned consultant to assist in various areas of the accreditation process. The suite of services will enable UNCF to serve 8 member institutions during the 2015 grant cycle.

In addition, the grant will support the UNCG Institute for Capacity Building 2015 Institute held on July 20, 2015 in Nashville, TN. The Institute will engage all UNCF member institutions and will focus on the Chief Financial Officers and their role in the accreditation process.

"We are grateful to the Walmart Foundation for their strong investment in UNCF's Institute for Capacity Building and support for our 37 member institutions," said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D, president and CEO, UNCF. "While only making up three percent of the country's colleges and universities, HBCUs graduates nearly 20 percent of African Americans who earn undergraduate degrees. By investing in their continuous improvement, the Walmart Foundation is committing to ensure that HBCUs are able to invest in better futures for the students who attend these outstanding institutions."

FASTAP was launched by UNCF member institution presidents in 1994 to help their organization strengthen their fiscal management and stability, meet new accreditation standards and improve financial aid program. Today, FASTAP is focused on ensuring the UNCF network is in compliance with accreditation standards and federal financial aid regulations as well as assisting institutions in building capacity in key areas of its academic enterprise.

"Our partnership with the UNCF has spanned several years, and through that time we have been able to help UNCF member schools remain viable, compelling and competitive choices for the growing number of African American and other students of color seeking a college education," said Tony Waller, Senior Director with Walmart.

"UNCF is such a viable entity and important to our success. Not only the money, but also the assistance in getting our reaffirmation done, which will help us be a viable Institution," said Nathaniel Glover, Jr., president of Edward Waters College.

The Walmart Foundation's renewed commitment builds upon Walmart's 2007 grant of $700,000 to UNCF, which served as the catalyst for bringing FASTAP into the organization's Institute for Capacity Building to provide more targeted programming geared to the specific needs of UNCF member institutions. The UNCF Institute for Capacity Building is an institutional improvement initiative that helps member colleges and universities become stronger and more self-sustaining in areas that can make the difference between success and struggle such as student recruitment and retention and fund-raising. In 2010 and 2012-14, the Walmart Foundation presented additional grants of $500,000 to UNCF to further enhance FASTAP through developing new and enhanced interventions.

Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities.