About Us
Dedicated to Empowering Future Leaders
The Williams-Franklin Foundation was born out of a profound commitment to support HBCU students in their academic and professional journeys. Founded by Dwight and LaShelle Franklin, our mission is to provide scholarships, mentoring, and networking opportunities to talented students in extreme financial need. We believe that by investing in education, we can change the life trajectories of countless young scholars, fostering a new generation of leaders ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Our Core Values
Commitment
We are dedicated to the educational and professional success of HBCU students.
Integrity
We operate transparently and ethically in all our actions.
Collaboration
We believe in the power of working together to achieve common goals.
Empowerment
We strive to provide the tools and opportunities that students need to succeed.
Our Story So Far
The Williams-Franklin Foundation was formed in 2014 to devote philanthropic efforts to meet the financial needs of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students while serving as a social connector to professional opportunities and networks. In 2023, WFF awarded 20 HBCU students academic scholarships totaling $136,000, the highest annual scholarship amount since its inception. WFF Co-Founders Dwight and LaShelle Franklin received the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the United States President, the Points of Light Foundation, and AmeriCorps. The Williams-Franklin Foundation remains laser-focused on changing the trajectory of students’ lives.
Our Mission and Vision
The Williams-Franklin Foundation’s mission is to provide academic scholarships, mentoring, and professional networking opportunities to HBCU students whose amazing potential is constrained only by limited resources.
The Williams-Franklin Foundation’s vision is to see HBCU college students graduate with zero student debt, and strong professional networks that generate the social capital necessary for these students to become the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers, driving positive impact within their communities and beyond.
Our Impact
Every year our footprint on the lives of HBCU students grows, thanks to your help!
Scholarships Awarded
Applicants Reviewed
HBCUs
Professional Development Workshops
Annual Events
Meet the Board
Get to know the dedicated professionals and volunteers who drive the mission of WFF.
Partner With Us
Your support makes all the difference. Whether you’re an individual, corporation, or foundation, there are many ways to partner with WFF to support HBCU students. Learn about our various partnership opportunities and how you can make an impact.
Student Success Stories
Hear directly from the students whose lives have been transformed by WFF scholarships and programs.
With this section we can select just students that have testimonial videos
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…
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…
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…
Help Us Reach Our Goal
Our Goal is to raise enough for 26 scholorships before December 31, 2024. With 20 already created this year, we only have 47 days left to raise enough for 6 more scholorships.