source: Unsplash photographer, Nqobile Vundla
Randolph Williams is presenting the inaugural Historically Black College and University Scholarship Gala: History Is Legacy (HBCU Scholarship Gala: History Is Legacy), on Friday, November 18, 2022, at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Detroit-Dearborn, located at 5801 Southfield Fwy. in Detroit (MI 48228) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Produced by his nonprofit organization, Williams Sports and Entertainment, Williams and other organizers are inviting local leaders, young athletes, professional organizations, parents and their high school and college-aged students, and HBCU alums from Metro Detroit and the surrounding areas. They expect up to 350 guests to attend, among them, leaders coming in from around the country with a commitment to HBCUs. Gala tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hbcu-scholarship-gala-tickets-437934833877
While awarding college scholarships to Detroit-area high school and college students, the event is intended to strengthen the support, increase HBCU enrollment, and acknowledge the accomplishments of HBCU alums. The event serves to demonstrate the importance of HBCU institutions to our collective future.
I created this event as an opportunity to support student-athletes, and all students who are interested in attending an HBCU, and to connect community leaders with organizations and institutions that would help us do this,” said Williams.
“I want to bring awareness to the outstanding accomplishments achieved by HBCU alums since these institutions were originally established between 1837 to 1900,” he said.
HBCUs were founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to higher education. Williams feels more people of every ethnicity should become interested in, and subsequently know about historically black colleges and universities and how they make impact, in respect to the “American dream.”
He feels more people should know of those who are HBCU alum, including alumni Dr.Martin Luther King Jr, Kamala Harris, and Oprah Winfrey along with influential startup founders, tech execs, investors, and politicians. He feels more people should understand the vital role HBCUs play, and more people should have access.
I’m a product of an HBCU (Kentucky State University) and have great love for these institutions. I feel they ultimately touch and positively impact our society across all cultures. HBCUs play a beneficial, and powerful role in our society from their rich history to their promising legacy,” Williams explained.
Detroit HBCU Network, Digimax, Detroit Business Center, the Black Shopping Channel, Ecrid Lending Corp, and First Independence Bank are also sponsors. Williams’s alma mater, Kentucy State University participates with a jazz show scholarship fundraiser on Saturday, November 19, 2022, also at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Detroit-Dearborn, located at 5801 Southfield Fwy. in Detroit (MI 48228) from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Tickets for the jazz show are $50, separate from the gala, and can be purchased online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hbcu-scholarship-gala-tickets-437934833877.
Randolph Williams is president and founder of his nonprofit organization, Williams Sports and Entertainment. Having graduated from Kentucky State University, he is an HBCU alum; retired after 26 years in the University Army (four years active and 22 years serving in the National Guard). He did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan; retired after 27 years on the Detroit Police Department, and is a former world-class athlete in track and field. His sports accomplishments include being an eleven-time NCAA All-American and a two-time NCAA 400 Meter Hurdle champion. Williams is also founder of the Motor City Roundball Classic (boys and girls basketball event that happened during the Christmas holiday season for 26 years).
For more information visit https://www.hbcuscholarshipgala.com/.