A new partnership between Hennessy and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is changing the game for graduate students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs). The Hennessy Fellows Program will provide up to $10 million in funding over the next 10 years to talented students, reported Black Enterprise.
The goal of the program is to help propel Blacks into leadership positions by providing them with the resources and tools necessary to thrive. Hennessy will select 10 students with high potential and provide them with funding for tuition and other educational expenses, one-on-one executive coaching, community project grant opportunities, online training, professional development, etc.
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In a statement, TMCF President Dr. Harry L. Williams praised the global brand’s investment and said they were the right organization to oversee the program.
“When such a tremendously successful global brand like Hennessy invests in a higher education non-profit like ours, it tells the world that HBCUs and PBIs have value and are worth investing in, and TMCF is the best steward to carry out such a monumental investment,” Williams said.
Since most scholarships focus on undergraduate programs, Hennessey is breaking ground with its innovative approach, according to Diverse Issues in Education.
The fact that HBCU students graduate with a very high proportion of debt also makes the new partnership a much needed one. Williams said Hennessy’s gift is not something that should be taken lightly or for granted.
“This is major, and it can’t be overlooked as just a financial contribution, it is a real partnership that is a game changer for the students and our community,” Williams said.
