The A.L. Harper Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by Adrian Lanett Harper in an effort to support HBCU students directly.

Our primary mission is to help reduce the amount of debt HBCU students graduate with through scholarships and other awards. Two of our other efforts include exposing HBCUs to potential students and connecting current HBCU students with paid internships and career placement.

 

Points of Pride

  • Thanks to public support, we were able to increase our initial $500 awards, per student, in 2017 to $2,500 by 2022. This effort has also allowed us to make valuable connections at HBCUs.

  • In June of 2019, we had our first HBCU NIGHT: School Spirit & Greek Pride fundraiser. This has become our signature event where attendees celebrate their favorite HBCU or Divine 9 Greek Organization. An Outstanding HBCU Alumni award is given, best table decor contest and D9 Roll Call. Money raised benefits our scholarship fund.

  • In 2022, our first two Programs launched. Our Programs allow businesses or individuals to partner with us in an effort to reach their specific initiatives through HBCU scholars. Those first two partners were Blue Cross NC and PSA-Airlines and over $11,000 in scholarships were awarded.

  • In 2023, the foundation began a partnership with Turning Point Academy, a Charlotte Mecklenburg high school for students considered ‘at risk’. Our hope is to encourage/redirect the students and expose HBCUs as a option. There will be an annual HBCU Day at the school, Uniform Khaki Pants Drive and Christmas Gift Card drive to celebrate the students and staff.

“Thank you for bestowing me with the A.L. Harper Scholarship Funding for Academic Excellence. Since being named one of this year’s recipients, my lifelong dream of attending Tennessee State University and becoming a Physical Therapist is being realized.”
— William E. Asapansa-Dennis

Awardee’s

William E. Asapansa-Dennis (Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN)

Jasmine Deberry (Allen University, Columbia, SC)

Trayvane Wilson (Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC)

Mirakle Avery (Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC)

Nailah Davis (Howard University, Washington, DC)

Toluwani Roberts (Howard University, Washington, DC)

Shelby A. Martin (Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC)

Gerrod White (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR)

Tymier Farrar (Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC)

Mackenzi L. Zimmerman (South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC)

Margie Turner (Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA)

Brianna S. Goins (Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC)

S’Khaja Charles (North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC)

Sariyah Hill (Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN)

Cheryl Moore (Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC)

MaKenzie Hanks (Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA)

Kennedy Barnes (Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC)