Oprah dropped millions on Morehouse College to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. More inside…
After soaking in all of the #BlackExcellence at Tyler Perry’s star-studded gala for the grand opening of his historic Atlanta studio, Oprah stayed in town to give a very special gift to an HBCU.
The media mogul paid a visit to Morehouse College – which is a historically black men's college located in Atlanta – to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. Thirty years ago, Lady O donated $12 million in scholarship money to help young, black men pay their way through school.
Yesterday, Lady O surprised Morehouse students with a $13 million donation to continue the scholarship fund, pushing her total investment to $25 million, which is the largest endowment in the College’s history. Nice!
“I felt that the very first time I came here,” Oprah said. “The money was an offering to support that in these young men. I understand that African American men are an endangered species. They are so misunderstood. They are so marginalized.
“Where and when I can lend support to try to change that image, I do,” she stated. “That is what Morehouse is doing. It is saying ‘This is who we really are.’”
Watch her surprise announcement below:
Here is video from today's surprise announcement. Oprah Winfrey donated $13 million to continue the Oprah Winfrey Scholarship Program, pushing her total investment to $25 million, which is the largest endowment in the College’s history. pic.twitter.com/5tcs6Pfu5m
— Morehouse College (@Morehouse) October 7, 2019
During her visit, Oprah met with 47 Oprah Winfrey Scholars that she welcomed as “sons.” She also attended a special luncheon with Morehouse College faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees, and other dignitaries. An oil portrait was unveiled to honor the philanthropist for her generous support of Morehouse over the years. The young men presented her with red and white flowers, thanking her for pouring into their future.
Swipe through below:
While chatting with the students, Oprah pledged to continue to fund the program so it could support the education of future men of Morehouse. Over the last 30 years, the scholarship program has funded the education of almost 600 scholars, giving them opportunities for global experiences that would open their classrooms to the four corners of the world, said Morehouse President David A. Thomas.
Oprah Winfrey spent the afternoon at Morehouse College today for the 30th anniversary of the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. She announced a $13 million donation to the endowed scholarship she created in 1989. Her total gift to the program since it was founded is now $25 million! pic.twitter.com/yO9OL90soK
— Morehouse College (@Morehouse) October 7, 2019
An impressive number of Morehouse Men have benefited from Oprahs $12 million initial investment in the program since 1989. Among them are: Mayor Randall Woodfin, a member of the Morehouse Class of 2003, who, at age 36, was elected in 2017 as the youngest mayor of Birmingham; and Oluwabusayo “Tope’” Folarin, a 2004 alumnus who graduated from Morehouse with a perfect 4.0 grade point average became Morehouse’s third Rhodes Scholar, and is now an award-winning writer.
Activist/Journalist Shaun King was also a receipt of Oprah’s donation and he shared his gratitude on social media:
Shoutout to Lady O!
Photo: Oprah's IG
source: theybf
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