Hennessy launches $10 million fund for HBCU graduate students

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Hennessy have partnered to launch the Hennessy Fellows Program, a $10 million graduate scholarship initiative designed to nurture the next generation of African American leaders through financial assistance, access, and real-world skills.

Hennessy Fellows Program 

The Hennessy Fellows program purpose is to facilitate a diverse pipeline of highly qualified talent over the next 10 years and inundate the market with young leaders from historic black colleges and universities (HBCUs) who are fully prepared to take on leadership roles at major organizations.

“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,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund in a statement.

How To Obtain Funding

To obtain funding, graduate students will have to complete a thorough application process, with the Hennessy Fellows Program selecting ten high-achieving, high-potential students per year and offer them financial aid to assist their educational opportunities.

Recipients will be awarded financial assistance towards collegiate graduate level education programs, as well as curated corporate development experiences, including training forums and networking to enhance the exchange of ideas and provide direct exposure to the inter-relatedness of corporate, social and economic systems.

The program is open to students enrolled in accredited HBCU or PBI graduate programs, and offers the following:

• • 1:1 executive coaching

• • Up to $20,000 per academic year

• • $10,000 annual stipend for other educational expenses

• • Opportunity to compete for a community-related project grant up to $10,000

• Access to online training forums, boot camps, networking events, and professional development experiences

“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,” continued Williams.

Hennessy Fellows will accept applications through May 5, 2019. The 10 selected fellows will be announced in June to receive benefits ahead of the Fall 2019 term.

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