UNCF Comments On Michael's Death

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is an American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for black students and general scholarship funds for 39 private historically black colleges and universities. The UNCF plays a critical role in enabling more than 60,000 students in the USA each year to attend college and get the education they want and deserve.

Michael has always been an avid supporter of the UNCF.

In memory of a generous benefactor and extraordinary artist the UNCF has published the following statement:

"THE MUSIC WORLD LOSES THE KING OF POP UNCF LOSES A BENEFACTOR

The death of Michael Jackson put a tragic end to one of the most remarkable careers in the history of American entertainment. He was one of the first African American performers to win a true crossover following. CDs, music videos, movies, television, live performances—there was no medium that the King of Pop didn’t conquer. He won 13 Grammys®, 13 number-one singles and sold 750 million records. Nobody who has seen one of his sold-out shows in stadiums and arenas will ever forget the experience.

Fortunately for all those who loved and admired him and his music, he leaves behind a rich musical legacy. His 1982 album Thriller is still the best-selling album of all time. Music videos like "Beat It,” "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" transformed the music video from a piece of promotion to a piece of entertainment art.

Michael Jackson left behind a legacy of generosity as well. In 1986, he donated $1.5 million to UNCF to establish a scholarship endowment—a fund whose interest funds scholarships each year while the original gift continues to earn interest so that future students can receive scholarships. During the past two decades, more than 500 students at UNCF's 39 member colleges and universities have been able to attend college thanks to Jackson's generous gift.

Two years later, Michael Jackson headlined a sold-out UNCF benefit performance at Madison Square Garden in New York and donated the proceeds, $600,000, to UNCF. He also received the Frederick D. Patterson Award, UNCF’s highest honor, at the 1988 New York anniversary celebration and was awarded an honorary degree from UNCF-member institution Fisk University.

It has been almost a quarter-century since Michael Jackson endowed the UNCF scholarship program that bears his name. Many of the young men and women who received Michael Jackson Endowed Scholarships over the years have moved on from college to start careers, raise families and support their communities. But thanks not only to his generosity but to his foresight in creating a scholarship that renews itself every year, 34 more students will study at UNCF-member colleges and universities next September because the King of Pop understood that "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

Source: MJFC / UNCF / Special thanks to Paula for bringing this to MJFC's attention!