Novelist and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott ensures that her exorbitant wealth reaches well-intentioned institutions. This week, one of the richest women in the world announced that she had gifted $ 1.7 billion of her fortune, and a large chunk of it went to historically black colleges and universities.
“I have no doubt that great value comes when people act quickly to give, Scott wrote in his donation pledge made last year.” No unit has more positive effects than a desire to be of service. “
The HBCUs benefiting from the ex-wife of Amazon magnate Jeff Bezos are Howard University, Hampton University, Xavier University, Morehouse, Spelman and Tuskegee. While several schools have not disclosed the actual amount of their donations, many, including Hampton, have listed it as their largest individual donation in history.
In a press release shared with ESSENCE, Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey reacted by saying, “This sheer act of benevolence is clearly a game changer and could not have come at a better time. I speak for the entire Hampton University community when I say that we are grateful to Ms. MacKenzie Scott, who has chosen to support us during this unprecedented period of uncertainty. “
Since the start of the nation’s coronavirus outbreak, universities across the country have been forced to close their doors and switch to online learning. For HBCUs, several of which were already suffering financial damage, COVID-19 has delivered a damaging blow to the future of their legacy and the overwhelmingly black population they serve. According to CNN, the financial gifts given to Scott’s six HBCUs range from $ 40 million to $ 20 million each.
“I saw the first half of 2020 with a mix of heartbreak and horror. Life will never stop finding new ways to expose inequities in our systems; or wake up to the fact that such an unbalanced civilization is not only unfair, but also unstable, “Scott shared in a Medium post announcing his gift.” What gives me hope is the idea of what will come if each of us reflect on what we can offer. “
Scott has empowered the “116 organizations driving change” to decide where the money would best be used. Harvey, according to the statement, is considering using some to help fund the University of Hampton Proton Therapy Institute, “where lives are saved daily from the devastating effects of cancer.” They also plan to extend the scholarships to high-achieving high school students and make improvements across the campus.
Other black-focused organizations also benefited from Scott’s generosity. They include Black Girls Code, Harlem Children’s Zone, Thurgood Marshall College Fund and United Negro College Fund.
