When Zacch Estrada-Petersen, a 2005 UNC Charlotte graduate, became a member of the UNCC Alumni Association Board of Directors in summer 2014, it came with an expectation to make annual financial gifts to the University, through any avenue. With so many negative images and views about Black males in America, most notably the cradle-to-prison pipeline, coupled with the lack of Black males in essenti
al and lucrative STEM fields, he decided to do something to change the narrative. Enlisting the assistance of fellow alumnus, 2007 graduate Kevin Jackson, together they pledged a $25,000 scholarship endowment gift over 5 years to the University, specifically targeted to Black males majoring in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. The fund is currently in the endowment-building phase - meaning no scholarships are being distributed until the $25,000 threshold is reached. Once that occurs, the principal amount will be invested and scholarships will be paid out every year using the interest earned by the fund.
