Our mission is to provide financial assistance to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), thus extending Luther Vandross’ commitment to helping students achieve their goal of completing their degree and preparing for their next endeavors.
The Luther Vandross Foundation was founded to continue Luther’s legacy of providing financial assistance to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Luther understood that a major challenge for students achieving a college degree is lack of funding. Throughout his career he promoted the importance of education. From personal experience he understood the benefit of a student’s learning environment.
Statistics show that over 50% of students attending HBCUs are first generation college students and come from low income families. These scholarships are meant to lessen the financial burden on the students, and their families and communities that support them. The goal of the Luther Vandross Foundation is to aid in that support, helping students to graduate and continue their journey to success.
“Without the Luther Vandross Scholarship, I would not have the same access to an amazing education that provides great opportunities for learning and growth. I am now in my last semester at Hampton University and I can truly express how wonderful this experience has been. I believe that I have grown and changed so much over the last four years because my professors have stretched my experiences and abilities, and I have met many people who have positively influenced who I am today. I have had many hardships while in college. I was raised by a sickly mother and I lost my father after freshman year. One of the biggest challenges I’ve had throughout these four years is managing my mental health and financial hardships. I am proud to say I have worked hard to be where I am, but I certainly could not have done it without the help this scholarship has provided me to further my education. This scholarship has allowed weight to be lifted off of my shoulders as well as my mother's. I am so very grateful to have been given the opportunity to immerse myself in all aspects of college life, because of wonderful scholarships such as this one. Thank you for making my journey here at Hampton University possible and making my future even brighter.”
"I am a 2018 Luther Vandross scholarship recipient, and I have been flourishing ever since I received the scholarship, and currently in my second year of law school at Emory University School of Law. I was born in Philadelphia; PA and I am the daughter of immigrants from Haiti. The Luther Vandross scholarship was a part of helping me stay focused in school, and not having those financial burdens. This allowed me the opportunity while in school to start my own non-profit called “Ambition Overcomes Adversities” which assist students through mentorship. Just being a Luther Vandross scholar, I think it allowed me to live up to its mission. It’s supposed to teach community, and aide with the development of African American students who want to do better in the world, who want to see the light, and who want to give back. You know, I love to tell people I want to be the gift that keeps on giving. Everything that I do, everything that I receive, I want to provide that to other students to unfold, because I understand the blessings that I have. I just want to thank the Luther Vandross scholarship for being a part of that blessing, and for being a part of my community."