Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) need money to continue to bring quality education to their students. Fortunately, well-known companies are donating to these programs that serve Black students, non-Black students of color and white students. Among these HBCU industry supporters are Boeing, Northrop Grumman Corporation, IBM, Microsoft Corporation and General Motors. Government and nonprofit HBCU supporters include NASA, the Air Force, the Army Corps., the Navy and the U.S. Department of Defense.

And while all HBCU programs are significant, there’s a particularly notable number of doctors who come from HBCUs. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that, in 2021-22, 61% of the 3,000 doctor’s degrees were awarded by HBCUs. 

Here’s our list of companies that support HBCU medical undergrad programs.

UMG Supports HBCU Medical Programs

Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with HBCUs to further open the pipeline of Black medical practitioners. The music-based entertainment group announced in a press release with AFROTECH that these efforts are the work of their Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC), which will spearhead a program dedicated to supporting HBCU medical schools.

UMG’s TFMC determined that public health is a priority. Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse College School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science are some of its donor recipients. Dr. Menna Demessie, SVP and executive director of UMG’s TFMC, said that this demonstration of the corporation’s philanthropic goals “combats racial disparities in public health…” It also “… leverages our position as industry leaders to make positive social change.” Inspired by a similar goal, a recent donation from a billionaire couple has made HBCU history.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Wants To Increase Black Physicians

This year, Bloomberg Philanthropies donated $600 million to the following Black medical schools: Charles R. Drew University, Howard University, Meharry Medical College and Morehouse School. The donation was made in the wake of the Supreme Court banning affirmative action in higher education in June 2023 in hopes of increasing the racial wealth equity and the number of Black physicians. 

University of Pennsylvania Partners With HBCUs To Attract Diverse Enrollment

The University of Pennsylvania, through their Penn Access Summer Scholars program, has signed agreements with Morehouse College, Xavier University of Louisiana, Howard University, Oakwood University and Spelman College.  The agreement details the trajectory of students’ medical school journey should they choose to participate. Those who are eligible can apply to the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine without taking the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), as long as they maintain a GPA of 3.6. Since the MCAT has often been a cost barrier for students at $300, Perelman and Penn have decided to afford students the option of skipping this step. Their hope is that the number of African American physicians will increase, allowing patients in the communities they serve to be reflected in medical staff. 

Boeing’s Donation To UNCF Creates Pipeline STEM Program

In 2020, Boeing donated $10.6 million to support racial equity and social justice. Included within the recipients was the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). UNCF received a $1 million investment. The donation was made in support of high school STEM engagement programs being developed and in collaboration with HBCUs. Also, through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), this platform continues to invest in Black students who are pursuing the sciences.  

Billionaires Supporting HBCU With Medical Undergrad Program

Ronda Stryker and William Johnston are a billionaire couple whose $100 million donation to Spelman College became the highest donation to an HBCU thus far. Ronda E. Stryker is the director of Stryker Corporation, the medical equipment manufacturer company that her grandfather founded. Stryker joined Spelman’s College Board of Trustees in 1997 and is a member of Harvard’s Medical School Board of Fellows. Spelman, known for its pre-med program, has a high acceptance rate for its graduates into medical school. They also partner with the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Access Summer Scholars program, which guarantees acceptance into the Perelman School of Medicine.

Between this donation, other investments and corporations partnering with HBCUs to open up the pipeline, HBCUs will continue to make an impact on the medical industry through its students and alumni.