FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2024
Media Contact:
Yolanda Raine
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
media@cbcfinc.org
202-809-2011
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) proudly unveils a groundbreaking collaboration with the University of Oxford to establish a CBCF Alumni Scholarship, a transformative initiative aimed at closing the financial gap for Black students aspiring to pursue master’s degrees at the prestigious institution.
Tony Bishop, a distinguished CBCF fellowship alumnus from the class of 2018, conceived the scholarship to address the challenges faced by individuals like himself, who possess immense academic and professional potential but encounter financial constraints hindering their pursuit of elite educational opportunities. Bishop, having been accepted into the University of Oxford’s Diplomatic Studies program in 2019, was unable to accept his place due to financial limitations. Determined to pave the way for future generations, he initiated the CBCF Alumni Scholarship to empower young Black scholars and dismantle financial barriers.
Bishop, who is now a White House Advisor based in Washington, D.C. found the allies to secure the partnership after attending one of the university’s executive programs where he met the President of Oxford’s Magdalen College, Dinah Rose KC. Rose commented, “We are delighted to be working with Tony and the CBCF on this exciting new initiative, which will provide generous financial support to help talented students from the widest possible pool to access the opportunities that Magdalen and Oxford can offer.”
The partnership between Tony Bishop and CBCF was solidified with the enthusiastic support of CBCF President and CEO Nicole Austin-Hillery and Senior Vice President of Resource Development Donna Fisher-Lewis who oversees the CBCF’s Leadership Institute. Austin-Hillery remarked, “This scholarship comes at a crucial time when opportunities for Black students face challenges. We are committed to closing the financial gap and restoring educational opportunities for Black students.”
The CBCF Alumni Scholarship is scheduled to launch in April 2024, with the first students attending Oxford in September 2025. The scholarship funding was made possible by a generous grant from the Open Society Foundation.
To learn more about the partnership, visit cbcfinc.org/oxford.
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About the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF)
Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research, and educational institute committed to advancing the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org.
As a 501(c)(3), the CBCF takes no position on legislation or regulatory matters before Congress or any other government agency.