Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, announced they are giving $120 million to support scholarships at historically black colleges and universities.

The donation, the largest of its kind, will be split among Morehouse College, Spelman College and the United Negro College Fund, and will be enough for both universities to support 200 students each over the next decade.

Hastings credited Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, for "offering to help" him and his wife get to know the HBCUs, and explained why now is as important a time as ever to shine a spotlight on the significance of these institutions.

Hastings and Lomax, along with Morehouse College President David A. Thomas and Spelman College President Mary Schmidt Campbell, spoke with "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King about the record-setting gift.

From Atlanta Black Star:



During President Obama’s last commencement speech of his presidency, Obama singles out student Ciearra Jefferson in front of her Howard University graduating class Saturday.

In a Sunday interview with CNN‘s Fredricka Whitfield, Jefferson talks about how she turned down a Harvard scholarship to attend Howard University. Jefferson tells Whitfield that she always wanted to go to Howard, pledge a sorority, and that her family encourages “Black excellence.” Jefferson was raised by a single mom and had always excelled in academics. Her hard work garnered her the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship that pays for her education up to her doctorate’s program. Now, the Southfield, Michigan native wants to be like Thurgood Marshall, helping her community back home.

She tells Whitfield that success for her is when her mother can rest. Now, she is entering a graduate program at Emory University in Atlanta.

Why These Celebrities Chose Historically Black Colleges

Lionel Richie, Diddy, Mo’Nique, Spike Lee, and more tell BuzzFeed about their experiences at historically black colleges and universities.

What do Lionel Richie, Spike Lee, and Sean “Diddy” Combs have in common? All three entertainment icons are Oscar winners (check out Diddy’s 2011 documentary, Undefeated), and all three started out as undergrads at historically black colleges or universities.

HBCUs, as they’re commonly known, are rich in black history and seminaries for future stars. Empire’s Taraji P. Henson, Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson, and The Game’s Wendy Raquel Robinson were classmates in Howard University’s drama department, where legendary actors like Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee served as mentors.
BuzzFeed News asked some of the most talented and successful people in the entertainment industry why an HBCU was the only choice for them, and heard the campus stories that set the course for their storied careers.

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