Over the last 10 years, radio personality Tom Joyner and his foundation have raised more than $55 million dollars, and all of the proceeds have been dedicated to helping students start and finish their educations at historically Black colleges and universities.
At a time when pundits are continually questioning the relevance of HBCUs, Joyner feels compelled to reassert their significance.
“We need Black colleges now more than ever. With the war on affirmative action, mainstream institutions, they are not accepting our students. We’re committed to keep Black colleges open,” said Joyner, a Tuskegee University graduate whose two sets of grandparents attended HBCU as did his two sons.
“HBCUs are part of my DNA,” Joyner said of his fervor for HBCUs.
When the Tom Joyner Foundation started in 1998 the vision and the expectation for the project was narrow, says Tom Joyner Jr., president and CEO of the foundation. “The program began as a feature to the morning show. We decided to capitalize on it, and use it as an opportunity to contribute money to HBCUs.”
Each month the foundation designates a different HBCU to receive its support. The scholarship money is sent directly to the institution for the students. Scholarships are awarded to the students based on financial need and other requirements from the school and the donor. Once the scholars are named by the school, the foundation sends the money directly to the HBCU in the student’s name so that the funds go directly to helping to pay his/her tuition costs.
As an added bonus, Joyner interviews the president of every “School of the Month” during his morning show, which boasts eight million listeners in more than 115 radio markets, to discuss current projects and upcoming events.
Grambling State University was chosen as the TJF’s School of the Month for August. “We are very excited about this opportunity. We will encourage our graduates and supporters across the country to support the university through this process as we work to meet our [$500,000 fundraising] goal,” remarked President Horace A. Judson.
