South Carolina State University October 22, 2019 Charlamagne Tha God Awards SC State with $250,000 in Scholarships Charlamagne Tha God is giving back to students in his home state of South Carolina. During SC State University’s Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 19, he presented a $250,000 scholarship award to the SC State University Alumni Association (SCSUNAA) for student scholarships. The scholarship will provide funds for African American women who major in English or communications. The scholarship fund, the Ford Family Endowed Scholarship, is named after Charlamagne’s mother and grandmother. His mother, Julie Ford McKelvey, is a 1975 graduate of SC State. “Today was South Carolina State’s homecoming and I had the honor of announcing “The Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund,” Charlamagne wrote on Instagram. “Ford is my mother’s maiden name and my grandmothers last name. We will be providing scholarships to black women in South Carolina who major in English, (my mother’s major) Communications, (because I’m a Radio/TV Guy), and for any sister that wants to be a mental health professional.” The prominent radio and television personality voiced the importance of supporting historically black colleges and universities and is pushing for others to do so. “Always remember, investing in an HBCU is investing in the future of our people so the next time an HBCU asks for money, open that wallet. It’s a blessing to be a blessing! All praises due to God,” Charlamagne continued. A native of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Charlamagne has become a defining figure in American culture and one of the world’s most influential leaders in empowering the black voice, as well as progressing the country’s mental health movement. The cultural influencer is best known as the driving voice of the nationally syndicated radio show, “The Breakfast Club,” which has featured everyone from iconic names in hip-hop and pop culture to leading 2020 Democratic candidates. He is also the author of New York Times bestseller, “Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It” and bestseller, “Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me.” Charlamagne was invited to SC State’s Homecoming after speaking with SCSUNAA President John Funny. “On behalf of the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association, I want to offer our deepest thanks to Charlamagne Tha God,” said Funny. “The establishment of the Ford Family $250,000 Endowed Scholarship is a deep sense of commitment to our institution, to our students and to our society, as he contributes to the success of our future leaders. Standing together – united by a deep sense of commitment – we are glad to call Charlamagne Tha God a Bulldog Partner and welcome him to our Bulldog family. With this effort, Charlamange Tha God is linking his passion with his philanthropy and empowering our students with scholarship support.” One of SC State’s priorities is to foster strong relationships across various industries and communities, that will take the university and its students to new heights. “We are all in this together. There are endless opportunities when everyone works as a team to accomplish the same goal, which in this case, is to cultivate leaders within our society,” said SC State President James E. Clark. Charlamagne is a part of that mission and we thank him for giving selflessly to the students of SC State University. He is a member of the Bulldog family and we look forward to collaborating with him more in the future.” SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/