Michael Jackson’s Generosity and Love
Among the many accomplishments by Michael Jackson, none was more extraordinary than his support of historically black colleges and the opportunities he afforded disadvantaged youngsters who received a college education through his generosity.
Despite his limited academic achievements, and well into the ’90s — through benefit concerts and other activities — Jackson donated millions to the United Negro College Fund and founded the Michael Jackson Scholars program.
In 1988, at a sold-out dinner in NYC benefitting UNCF, he received an honorary doctorate from Fisk University. The event was attended by his close friends: Hollywood luminaries like Liz Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Quincy Jones and Don Cornelius (creator of “Soul Train”), Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, and Gregory Peck also were part of the celebration, along with captains of industry like Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Clive Davis, and Walter Yetnikoff and more.
Jackson later inspired his sister, Janet, to follow in his footsteps by creating The Rhythm Nation Scholars.
This is a sad, sad day!!! For a humanitarian with such a big heart to lead a rumor-filled existence and to leave this place so tragically is more unsettling than I can find words to express.
Let’s just say: Many are fortunate that Michael and Janet shared the view that “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.” They’ve done a lot to “Heal the World!”
–Adrienne Rhodes, a former publicist for the United Negro College Fund
