To stream WCNC on your phone, you need the WCNC app.
Next up in 5
Example video title will go here for this video
Next up in 5
Example video title will go here for this video
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte organization is shining a spotlight on the importance of college scholarships as historically-Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) brace for possible impacts on federal education funding.
United Negro College Foundation Charlotte hopes to reach its goal of raising $2 million by March 31. So far, the organization has raised $1.7 million and needs help raising the rest.
A Charlotte woman said receiving this scholarship allowed her to become the first person in her family to graduate from college and go on to get her doctorate.
Tamesha Hughes is passionate about talking to students at Ashbrook High School in Gaston County about the importance of applying for college scholarships.
“The full circle aspect is I’m now over a nonprofit and assisting other college students or high school students to have the same aspirations,” said Hughes.
Her drive comes after she faced financial hardships while attending Livingstone College in 2000.
“I got a letter from the financial aid office that said ‘If you don’t pay this, you’re going home,'” she said. “Home wasn’t an option so I had to look out for resources and grants that would help me on campus.”
That’s when the United Nego College Fund stepped in with a college scholarship. UNCF is the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships to African American students attending HBCUs.
“They took care of my balance and I’m here now doing the same thing that someone else did for me,” said Hughes.
Hughes, who now has her doctorate in higher education administration, says returning the favor through her own nonprofit goes a long way to the students she’s trying to reach.
“I wanted Hughes Elite Scholars to be that, so that way when they get on campus, they’re prepared for any type of barrier that would present itself, especially financial aid,” Hughes explained.
According to UNCF’s 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report, 10 HBCUs in North Carolina generate $1.8 billion in total economic impact for local and regional economies throughout the state.
UNCF awarded $63 million in scholarships last fiscal year. The organization released a statement saying the need to support HBCUs has never been greater. To find out how you can help, click here.
Contact Siobhan Riley at sriley@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook and X.
Download WCNC+ on your on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV, and stream the news that impacts you for free.
