Oprah Winfrey has started off the month of October in a major way. The media personality turned business mogul has made a $1.15 million donation to the United Negro College Fund. Winfrey made the announcement as she spoke at the 17th annual Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon in Charlotte.
She said, “I believe in the power of education.” Later, she added, “There is nothing better than to open the door for someone.”
Boom! The awesomeness that is @oprah just matched the $1million dollars that was raised during the #UNCFCharlotte Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon. Yes, so now over $2million was raised to support #HBCUs this afternoon! Peep this??#UNCF #blackgirlmagic ???? @ Oprah pic.twitter.com/lYeceynhFC
— UNCF (@UNCF) September 28, 2019
After donating $1.15 to the fund, the United Negro College Fund was able to raise a total of $2.3 million for future college scholarships.
Winfrey’s latest donation keeps the momentum going for a number of high profile commitments to education. Last month, billionaire Robert Smith made headlines when he announced that he’d also be paying off the student loan debt for the parents of Morehouse Class of 2019 graduates. More recently, French Montana stepped forward to create a fellowship geared toward technology education for students in New York.
Winfrey will return to Charlotte in January for her 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus health and wellness tour. In the meantime, she’ll continue to promote the return of her SuperSoul conversations podcast.
