Friend,

On June 19, 1865, the people of Galveston, TX, were told that “all slaves are free.” As celebration erupted, Black Americans seized their liberty and the possibility of a promising future—one that included the right to an education and the social mobility it brings. Today, we honor that joyous day as Juneteenth.

Research shows that college graduates earn more, are healthier and have more stable employment and marriages. Yet today, not all students have access to an equal education. About eighty-nine percent of students from well-off families go to college compared to fifty-one percent of students from low-income families. These socioeconomic disparities often shape the rest of students’ lives, preventing some of our best and brightest from earning a four-year degree.

That is why your support of UNCF’s work is so important. By supporting HBCUs for the past 80 years, we’ve helped to deliver on the promise of Juneteenth and create highly trained graduates who enter the workforce as better thinkers and learners with a higher earning potential.

Juneteenth is an opportunity for anyone who wants to make a difference for underrepresented and underserved students who want to earn a college degree. That’s why we’ve set an ambitious goal to raise $15,000 by midnight on Juneteenth—this Thursday—to help more students take hold of their freedom, earn a college degree and build the future of their dreams.

Will you please make a gift in honor of Juneteenth to help us reach our goal, close socioeconomic gaps in education and help gifted students access the resources they need to thrive?

My team and I are wishing you a happy Juneteenth, and we thank you for your kind support.

Dr. Michael L. Lomax Chief Executive Officer UNCF