Save the Date!
WFF Scholarship Applications Will Open March 1st
Have your FAFSA and application materials ready.
Registration is Open!
Early bird registration for this year's
annual WFF Golf Tournament is open.
This is our most popular and successful fundraiser of the year and we can't wait to see you there!
Building Strong Foundations
The Williams-Franklin Foundation ® is dedicated to providing academic scholarships, career networking, and mentoring opportunities to HBCU students with financial need. Founded in 2014 by Howard University alumni Dwight and LaShelle (Williams) Franklin, the foundation embodies their lifelong commitment to service and education. As graduates of Howard University, the Franklins experienced firsthand the power of an educational community dedicated to excellence and service. They established WFF to help students overcome financial barriers and achieve their educational dreams. Join us in our mission to change lives through collective effort and shared responsibility.
Featured Upcoming WFF Events
People Helping People
Board of Directors
Meet the visionary leaders guiding the Williams-Franklin Foundation.
Meet the Board
Internship and Job Placement Opportunities
The Williams-Franklin Foundation offers more than scholarships—we open doors to meaningful career experiences like personalized internships and job placement opportunities through our extensive professional network. Our partners, like the Dana Farber Harvard Cancer Institute, help awardees gain real-world experience essential for career growth. By fostering a supportive community where students can connect and collaborate, and connecting students with paid internships and professional mentoring, we’re dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders.
Apply for the WFF Scholarship
Are you a student at an accredited Historically Black College or University (HBCU) facing financial challenges? The Williams-Franklin Foundation (WFF) Scholarship offers $5,000 academic scholarships in support, along with opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and career networking. It’s more than just funding—it’s a chance to connect with a community that values your success.
Celebrating Excellence:
The 2024 Anna Julia Cooper Award
Shawn Yancy, the 2024 Anna Julia Cooper Awardee, was honored at our annual Ladies’ Tea on April 20, 2024, in Washington, DC. This prestigious award celebrates her dedication and impact within the community.
Be a Part of the Mission
Empower HBCU students to achieve their full potential by getting involved with the Williams-Franklin Foundation. Whether you provide a scholarship, mentor a student, or partner with us, your support can change lives and shape futures.
Our Impact by the Numbers
We are proud to share our achievements in supporting HBCU students. Over the years, we've awarded scholarships to 124 deserving scholars, totaling $501,300 across 18 different HBCUs. Join us in making a difference!
Amount Raised
Scholarships Awarded
HBCUs
Graduation Rate for WFF Scholars.
Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.~ Nelson “Madiba” Mandela, July 2003
Recent Scholarship Recipients
Taylor Sconiers
Hampton University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Returning WFF Scholar Taylor Sconiers, expected class of 2026, is from Bloomfield, New Jersey. Taylor is studying Sports Management at Hampton University. In the summer of 2024, she was proud…
Jaylah Dorman
Howard University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Returning WFF Scholar Jaylah Dorman, expected class of 2025, is from Durham, North Carolina. Jaylah is studying Health Education| Community Health at Howard University. In the summer of 2024, She…
Taylar Davis
North Carolina A&T State University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Returning WFF Scholar Taylar Davis, expected class of 2026, is from Charlotte, North Carolina. Taylar is studying Psychology at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. In the summer of…
Destiny Lewis
Bowie State University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Destiny Lewis, expected class of 2026, is from Owings, Maryland. Destiny is studying Chemistry at Bowie State University. In the summer of 2024, she worked in the 10-week CURE summer…
Joshua Wallington
Alabama A&M University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Returning WFF Scholar Joshua Wallington, expected class of 2025, is from Troy, Michigan. Joshua is studying Computer Science at Howard University. In the summer of 2024, he interned at Google…
Sanai Neblett
Hampton University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Returning WFF Scholar Sanai Neblett, class of 2025, is from Dacula, Georgia. She is studying Psychology (Pre-med) at Hampton University. In the summer of 2024, she enrolled in 2 summer…
Ashley Pryor
Morgan State University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Returning WFF Scholar Ashley Pryor, expected class of 2025, is from Bowie, Maryland. She is studying Computer Science at Morgan State University. In the summer of 2024, she interned at…
Sierra Sands
Spelman College
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Sierra Sands, expected class of May 2025, is from Columbia, South Carolina. She studies International Studies (Business) and Computer Science at Spelman College. In the summer of 2024, she was…
Amya Hudson
North Carolina A&T State University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Amya Hudson, expected class of May 2025, is from Washington, DC. She is studying psychology with a minor in biology at North Carolina A&T University. In the summer of 2024,…
Kelsey Schaffer
Spelman College
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Kelsey Schaffer, expected class of May 2027, is from Long Beach, California. She is studying Health Science at Spelman College. In the summer of 2024, she attended a dermatology training…
Jada Mitchell
Clark Atlanta University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Jada Mitchell, expected class of May 2026, is from Dallas, Texas. She is studying Computer Science at Clark Atlanta University. In the summer of 2024, she interned as a Quality…
Carter Henderson
Harris-Stowe State University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Carter Henderson, expected class of May 2027, is from San Diego, California. He is studying Sociology with an emphasis on Law, Justice, and Society at Harris Stowe State University. This…
Alexandria Alsobrooks-Laney
Spelman College
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Alexandria Alsobrooks-Laney, expected class of May 2027, is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She is studying History with a minor in curatorial studies at Spelman College. In the summer of 2024,…
Chelsea Beauford
Howard University
Funded by:
Wally Welker Scholarship Program Fund
Chelsea Beauford, expected class of May 2025, is from Lithonia, Georgia. She is studying Clinical Laboratory Science at Howard University. This summer, she started clinical rotations as a clinical laboratory…
Lindsey Marie Uy
Howard University
Funded by:
Wally Welker Scholarship Program Fund
Lindsey Marie Uy, expected class of May 2025, is from Bowie, Maryland. She is studying Clinical Laboratory Science at Howard University. In the summer of 2024, she went home to…
David Tinsley
Tennessee State University
Funded by:
Black Nurse Collaborative
David Tinsley, expected class of 2025, is from Detroit, Michigan. David is studying Nursing at Tennessee State University. In the summer of 2024, he stayed on campus in Nashville and…
Ranyah Bullock
Delaware State University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Ranyah Bullock, expected class of 2026, is from Detroit, Michigan. Ranyah is studying Mass Communications at Delaware State University. This summer, she was selected for an internship with a software…
Lonnie White IV
Morehouse College
Funded by:
Honorable Louis Stokes HBCU Scholarship
Lonnie White IV, expected class of 2025, is from Atlanta, Georgia. Lonnie studies Cinema, Television, and Emerging Media Studies at Morehouse College. This summer, Lonnie volunteered at the Atlanta Community…
Victoria Eniafe
Delaware State University
Funded by:
The Vallee Foundation, Inc.
Victoria Eniafe, expected class of 2025, is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Victoria is studying Biological Sciences at Delaware State University. In the summer of 2024, she attended the BSMD internship/program…
Jacoya Cartnail-Riddick
Alabama State University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Jacoya Cartnail-Riddick, expected class of 2026, is from Frederick, Maryland. Jacoya is studying Health Information Management at Alabama State University(ASU). In the summer of 2024, Jacoya interned at Auburn University…
Toriona Coakes
Florida A&M University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Toriona Coakes, expected class of 2026, is from Stuttgart, Arkansas. Toriona is studying Political Science at Florida A&M University. In the summer of 2024, she was committed to developing her…
Naijah Lynes
Florida A&M University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Naijah Lynes, expected class of 2025, is from Miami, Florida. Naijah is studying Pre-Physical Therapy at Florida A&M University. In the summer of 2024, she took summer classes to stay…
Shelby Foulks
Hampton University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Shelby Foulks, expected class of 2027, is from Laurel, Maryland. Shelby is studying Biochemistry at Hampton University. In the summer of 2024, she participated in the Dr. L.D. Britt Pre-Medical…
Nia Hill
Howard University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Nia Hill, expected class of 2020, is from Chicago, Illinois. She is majoring in accounting with a minor in Sociology at Howard University, the number two ranked Historically Black College…
Zipporah Bright
Morgan State University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Zipporah Bright, expected class of 2021, is from Gaithersburg, Maryland and will graduate from Morgan State University, which has graduated more than 50,000 degree candidates since its establishment. At Morgan…
Miranda Merritt
Spelman College
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Miranda Merritt, expected class of 2021, is from Alexandria, Virginia and will graduate from Spelman College, the number one ranked Historically Black College and University. At Spelman College, Miranda is…
Shaniah Tullis
Lincoln University
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Shaniah Tullis, expected class of 2021, is from Washington, D.C. and will graduate from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University. At Lincoln University,…
Melody Douglas
University of the District of Columbia
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Melody Douglas is a senior, expected class of 2019, who is from Des Moines, Iowa. Douglas will graduate from the University of the District of Columbia, where their vision is…
Max Fuentes
University of the District of Columbia
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Max Fuentes, expected class of 2019, is from El Salvador. Max has already earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and is currently earning his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from…
Nancy Gonzalez
University of the District of Columbia
Funded by:
WFF Scholar
Nancy Gonzalez, expected class of 2020, is from El Salvador. Nancy will graduate from the University of the District of Columbia, one of the only public universities in the U.S.…
Make a Lasting Impact by Empowering the Next Generation
Change Student Lives
Your contribution helps HBCU students overcome financial barriers, empowering them to pursue their educational dreams.
Support Future Leaders
Invest in the next generation of African American leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
Break Poverty Cycles
Help students from underserved backgrounds rise above economic challenges and achieve sustainable prosperity.
Charitable Contributions
Make your charitable donations go further with tax benefits, enhancing your corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Talent Pipeline Development
Connect with emerging talent from HBCUs, opening doors for future employment and internships within your organization.
Expand Professional Networks
Provide students with invaluable networking opportunities, connecting them with mentors and industry leaders.
Enhance Academic Success
Increased funding allows students to focus on studies without the stress of financial burdens, improving graduation rates.
Build a Legacy
Be part of a philanthropic legacy that lasts beyond the classroom and touches communities across generations.
Our Latest Networking Event
2024 Annual Holiday Cocktail Reception
Thank You for Celebrating with Us at the WFF Holiday Cocktail Experience Dear WFF Family and Supporters, We want to extend a huge thank you to you for joining us at the Williams-Franklin Foundation’s Holiday Cocktail Experience. Your presence helped make this event a true celebration of community, support, and the incredible milestones we’ve reached together over the past 10 years. The evening was unforgettable, from hearing inspiring stories from HBCU scholars to honoring our award recipients, this event reminded… Learn More
Recent Articles
Beyond the Classroom: Extracurriculars and Leadership at HBCUs
Another Successful Year: WFF Achievements and 2025 Goals
The Williams-Franklin Foundation Named a Top 100 Nonprofit in North America Receiving a PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Award
Mentorship Matters : How WFF Pairs HBCU Students with Mentors
Networking for Success: The Importance of Professional Connections
