Actor and comedian Kevin Hart has partnered with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) to help 18 KIPP students earn a college degree, including two Lincoln University students: sophomore Marjani Walton and senior Alexys Smith.
The 18 scholarship award recipients were chosen based on their academic and personal accomplishments.
“At Lincoln University, we develop strategic partnerships that provide educational opportunities for students of promise,” said Dr. Brenda A. Allen, president of Lincoln University in a press release. “We are grateful to Kevin Hart, UNCF, and KIPP for providing this opportunity for two of our Lincoln University students to Learn. Liberate. and Lead.”
This isn’t the first time Hart has worked with both programs. In 2015, he donated a $100,000 scholarship made through UNCF to four college students.
With the partnership, Hart’s “Help From The Hart Charity” and KIPP public schools launched a UNCF “Help From The Hart Scholarship” program with $600,000 in scholarship funds to support KIPP students from eight cities and are attending 11 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
UNCF is the largest supplier of college scholarships for students of color in America, gifting more than $100 million annually in college scholarships.
“Research shows that HBCUs matter, and that HBCU students are having a positive college experience, but they also have an unmet financial need,” UNCF CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax said. “Together, Kevin and KIPP have made an investment that will have a significant impact. We can’t thank them enough for their support, and we want to congratulate these 18 students for keeping their eyes on their goal of a college education.