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Michael Lomax

American educator and former elected official

Michael Lomax, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), a position he has held since 2004. Under his leadership, UNCF has become the largest private provider of scholarships and educational support for African American students in the United States, raising over $3 billion and assisting more than 300,000 students in earning college degrees.24

Background and Education

  • Education: Dr. Lomax earned a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College, a Master of Arts in English Literature from Columbia University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Emory University.13
  • Previous Roles: Before joining UNCF, he served as the president of Dillard University in New Orleans from 1997 to 2004. He also taught at Morehouse and Spelman Colleges for two decades.13

Achievements at UNCF

  • Scholarship Programs: He oversees over 400 scholarship programs that award more than 10,000 scholarships annually, enabling approximately 50,000 students to attend college each year.24
  • Advocacy: Dr. Lomax has been a prominent advocate for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), working to improve their capacity and sustainability through initiatives like the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building.5
  • Recognition: In 2024, he received the Andrew Young Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to education and community service.4

Public Service and Contributions

Lomax has a rich history in public service, having been the first African American chairman of the Fulton County Commission in Georgia. He has also been involved in various cultural initiatives, including founding the National Black Arts Festival and serving on boards for organizations like Teach for America and the KIPP Foundation.13

Dr. Lomax continues to be a leading voice in discussions about educational equity and access for underrepresented communities.

Highlights

Aug 16 · linkedin

I’m excited to share that UNCF launched Project ACCLAIM, a transformative initiative designed to create a robust pipeline of #HBCU students into the financial services sector. The program, which will begin at Morehouse College and Howard University in fall 2025, is made possible by a generous $10 million gift from Adage Capital Management and Elizabeth and Phill Gross.

This transformative initiative is designed to cultivate a robust pipeline of Black talent in the financial services industry and play a critical role in closing the wealth gap for African Americans.

We announced this initiative surrounded by courageous leaders and discussed the critical importance of Project ACCLAIM with Phill Gross, Mellody Hobson, and Kim Godwin.

Together, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for our students. https://lnkd.in/eQqX_Bu5 #ProjectACCLAIM #HBCUs #Leadership #Philanthropy

Aug 7 · linkedin

Mike Bloomberg’s dedication to supporting UNCF and #HBCUs is truly commendable. Bloomberg Philanthropies announcement of this historic commitment of $600 million to the endowments of four historically Black medical schools will play a crucial role in securing their future economic stability and leveling the playing field for our HBCU medical schools. He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk and we are sincerely grateful for his ongoing impactful support. https://lnkd.in/eRTMHPnk #UNCF #HBCUs #BloombergPhilanthropies #EducationEquality #BeLikeMike

Related Questions

What are some of the major achievements of Michael Lomax during his tenure at UNCF?
How has Michael Lomax's leadership impacted the success of HBCUs?
What initiatives has Michael Lomax introduced at UNCF to support college readiness?
Can you provide examples of the public and private partnerships Michael Lomax has negotiated for UNCF?
What is the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building, and how does it benefit HBCUs?
Michael Lomax
Michael Lomax, photo 1
Michael Lomax, photo 2
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Location

Washington, District of Columbia, United States