On Thursday, March 3, at UNCF’s “A Mind Is…” Gala in Washington, D.C., Delta received one of UNCF’s most prestigious honors - the Keeper of the Flame Award. This award is considered UNCF’s highest honor for corporate partners and commemorates a dedicated and successful partnership.
“We are honored to present Delta with UNCF’s coveted Keeper of the Flame Award for outstanding support of our mission to help historically Black colleges and universities to prepare students who will become future leaders of our nation" said Maurice Jenkins, E.V.P. & Chief Development Officer at UNCF. "UNCF is fortunate to have such a committed, steadfast corporate partner in Delta Air Lines.”
Responding to need, city by city, Delta has strengthened its support to UNCF with boots on the ground at critical times. Through a series of corporate contributions ranging from supporting student scholarships to providing emergency and technology assistance grants, Delta Air Lines has generously given nearly $5.8 million to UNCF programs that specifically benefit HBCU students. Most recently, in 2022, Delta contributed $1.5 million to UNCF: $500,000 for emergency funds, $500,000 Technology Grants, and $500,000 for special events to support scholarships.
We’ve also taken deliberate steps to provide diverse and equitable opportunities that deliver measurable results—like partnering with HBCUs like Hampton and Elizabeth City University to diversify our pilot pipeline and introducing a skills-first hiring approach to create opportunities for those without a traditional four-year degree.
Cherie Wilson, V.P. of Government Affairs at Delta, accepted the award from Milton Jones, Chairman of UNCF, and Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF’s President and CEO. The night’s honorees also included Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, former president of Spelman College and Bennett College who accepted the President’s Award, and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, who accepted the Frederick D. Patterson Award.
In her remarks, Cherie Wilson expressed Delta’s deep appreciation for the impact this partnership has made, stating, “We know that in order to connect the world, we must reflect the world — and while the path to a more equitable business is a journey, our internal actions and external partnerships, with organizations like the UNCF, demonstrate we are moving in the right direction.”
