UNCF Campaign Kickoff Luncheon Celebrates Legacy and Expands Opportunity

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) launched its annual Columbus campaign Wednesday, August 20, with a powerful luncheon at the Green Island Country Club that drew more than 250 community members united in support of scholarships for local students.

The event, emceed by Barbara Gauthier of WTVM, featured greetings from Justine Boyd, assistant vice president of UNCF in Atlanta, who reminded attendees of the organization’s historic impact.

“For generations, UNCF has been that bridge between talent and opportunity,” Boyd said. “Every dollar raised here in Columbus helps our young people not only attend college, but graduate and return to serve their families, communities and the world.”

The keynote address was delivered by Michael Thurmond, former CEO of DeKalb County and current chair of the board of trustees at Paine College, a historically Black institution. With equal parts humor, history and inspiration, Thurmond traced his own journey as a UNCF scholarship recipient and the role it played in shaping his life.

“UNCF saved my life,” Thurmond told the audience. “All I needed was a scholarship and a work-study job, and that opened doors I never imagined. I went from washing dishes in a college cafeteria to becoming a public servant, an author, and now chair of the very institution that once gave me my chance.”

Thurmond’s remarks honored the sacrifices of previous generations — from mothers and grandmothers who scrubbed floors and worked small jobs to send their children to college, to families who believed education could transform futures.

“Many of us are living out prayers that were prayed long before we were born,” he said. “Prayers by people who couldn’t read or write, but who dreamed that one day their children and grandchildren would walk across graduation stages and unlock new opportunities.”

Thurmond also urged the Columbus community to continue investing broadly, noting that scholarships depend on support across racial and social lines.

“We can’t just raise money from Black folk,” he said. “We need everybody. If white folks give us green money, we’ll give it right back — in the form of opportunity for our children. We must expand our comfort zones, cross the railroad tracks, and build bridges to ensure that every child has a chance.”

Local campaign leaders echoed that message. Patricia Eldridge, UNCF Columbus Campaign Committee coordinator, said the responsibility for success begins at home.

“Columbus has always been a generous city, but this campaign is about making sure our generosity directly impacts our own students,” Eldridge said. “When you support UNCF locally, you are giving a young man or woman from right here in our community the chance to achieve a college degree and create a better future. That’s an investment we can’t afford not to make.”

The luncheon drew a cross-section of civic leaders, educators, business owners and community advocates who affirmed the importance of UNCF’s mission.

“This campaign is about more than fundraising,” Boyd said. “It’s about lifting up the next generation. Columbus has always believed in education. Now is the time to prove it with our actions and our support.”

The UNCF campaign will continue in the coming months with outreach across Columbus to strengthen scholarship funding and support for HBCUs nationwide. The culmination will be the UNCF Columbus Mayor’s Masked Ball, Saturday, March 21, 2026.