Black History Month began in 1926 by Historian Carter G. Woodson and it evolved from “Negro History Week”—commemorating the birth of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass (source). It is now celebrated in Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Black History is not confined to a month, rather it’s made every single day in our communities. As Black History Month comes to an end, let’s remember the modern day people and organizations committed to a brighter tomorrow for black youth. Below is a list of organizations across various industries dedicated to supporting and nurturing the next generation of black leaders.
- 100 Black Men, Inc. Scholarship
- The National Hook-Up of Black Women Scholarship
- The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE)
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
- The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA)
- The Generation Google Scholarship (open to U.S. & Canadian applicants)
- National Association of Black Accountants Scholarship (NABA)
- National Society of Black Engineers Scholarship (NSBE)
- NACME Scholarship
- United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
Robert F. Smith, CEO of Vista Equity Partners (the billionaire who paid off 2019 graduates’ student loans at Morehouse College) helped launch the Student Freedom Initiative (SFI). It is a nonprofit geared toward providing financial and career support for HBCU students. They’ve partnered with nine HBCUs to support STEM students. Learn more about the new partnership here.
The black experience is unique and resilient—filled with tragedy and triumph and as Maya Angelou beautifully said, “and still we rise.” Changemakers and culture shifters define a generation with their actions. Be encouraged that there are countless platforms committed to helping you reach success. The Scholars Toolkit just seeks to serve as that bridge. On this journey, we are reimagining the standard.
