Brenda Siler, communications director at UNCF, says the relationship between Bush, Clinton and the UNCF stems largely from Lomax’s long friendship and political partnership with Clinton. Lomax, as Fulton County Commission chair in Atlanta, chaired Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign in Georgia. In addition, the Bush family has for many years had some presence and involvement with the UNCF board.
This past May, the two former presidents, in New Orleans to speak at Tulane University’s graduation, took time to film a public service announcement supporting the UNCF campaign. The PSA should air sometime this fall.
Siler says that last fall, UNCF spearheaded a fund-raising drive that netted $4 million for emergency scholarships for students at UNCF-member schools that were affected by Katrina.
— Senior writer Ronald Roach contributed to this story.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
