Michael L. Lomax has been the face of the United Negro College Fund, a major advocacy organization for historically Black colleges and universities, for 24 years. Now the organization that represents private HBCUs is looking for its next president and CEO as Lomax plans to step down next summer.
Lomax’s connection to HBCUs stretches back to his days as a Morehouse College student in the 1960s. At UNCF, he’s credited with raising over $4 billion to support the often underresourced institutions, creating a pooled endowment for HBCUs and raising their profile among philanthropists and policymakers of all political persuasions.
Though his tenure is coming to an end, the soon-to-be-retired HBCU thought leader says his work with the institutions is far from over. He spoke with Inside Higher Ed about what’s next for him and his hopes for the future of HBCUs.
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
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