The Williams-Franklin Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit, Washington, DC based organization whose mission is to eradicate the financial limitations that prevent access to higher education and civil leadership. The WFF was founded by Howard University (HU) alumni LaShelle Williams-Franklin (1996) and Dwight Franklin (1994) in 2014. Through their foundation, the WFF provides scholarships and programs
to HU students of limited means. Award recipients demonstrate the hard work, commitment and perseverance necessary to attain their highest academic potentials despite financial hardship, socioeconomic status and environmental factors. These truly exceptional students possess “True Grit” and use the challenges they face to fuel their passion for success. The Daunting Odds Students Face
While innovation and resilience are necessary to thrive in a global economy, higher education is essential. It serves as a launching pad to success and can change the financial wealth, career trajectories and legacies of generations to come. Unfortunately, rising costs, high debt and limited means often place unbearable restraints on a student’s ability to attain this key commodity. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, many qualified students are forced to drop out of college or refrain from pursuing it in the first place because they simply cannot afford to do so. Recent studies show the national average for students graduating from a 4-year college or university within 6 years is 59%. Within the African American community, the national average is an alarming 42% (Journalist Resource). More disappointing is that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) tend to graduate students of color at a rate of 30% within 6 years (University of Pennsylvania). Howard University has a much higher graduation rate of 64%, but lags behind the #1 ranked HBCU, Spelman College at 79% (The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education). How many promising futures have been destroyed? How long shall we stand by and watch this occur? Lack of Money Should Never be a Barrier to Higher Education
There is much work to be done to improve our institutions. Expensive college costs, restrictive loan programs and insufficient endowment funds, particularly at HBCUs, are major deterrents to an impoverished student’s ability to graduate from college. Despite a family’s strong work ethic and vision
for the future, their child may never attend college. If the child gets to college, he or she may be forced to drop out and will be less likely to return. Those with the good “fortune” to enter and complete college tend to question their “fortunes” when graduating with tremendous debt. These circumstances present overwhelming difficulties to those who seek to prosper and live well-balanced, fulfilling lives. What We Can Do
Howard University has a legacy of graduating students that have succeeded in many professional disciplines in areas that may have seemed impossible, but for the students’ “True Grit”. The Williams-Franklin Foundation wants to continue that legacy with financial support for current and future Howard University students. As Howard University graduates and founders of the Williams-Franklin Foundation, Dwight and LaShelle recognize the vital importance not only of graduating college, but in doing so with limited or no debt. HU alumni, partners and supporters are our greatest resources to reach our fundraising goal of $1 million by 2019 for HU scholarships. We will work diligently with our contributors, inspiring them to reach back as we move forward. With our support, Howard University’s legacy of excellence can and will continue.
