Williams-Franklin Foundation

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Williams-Franklin Foundation Providing scholarships to HBCU students and mentoring opportunities. ®️ How many bright minds have been turned away from their dreams?

The Williams-Franklin Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit, Washington, DC based organization whose mission is to eradicate the financial limitations that prevent access to higher education and civil leadership. The WFF was founded by Howard University (HU) alumni LaShelle Williams-Franklin (1996) and Dwight Franklin (1994) in 2014. Through their foundation, the WFF provides scholarships and programs to HU students of limited means. Award recipients demonstrate the hard work, commitment and perseverance necessary to attain their highest academic potentials despite financial hardship, socioeconomic status and environmental factors. These truly exceptional students possess “True Grit” and use the challenges they face to fuel their passion for success. The Daunting Odds Students Face

While innovation and resilience are necessary to thrive in a global economy, higher education is essential. It serves as a launching pad to success and can change the financial wealth, career trajectories and legacies of generations to come. Unfortunately, rising costs, high debt and limited means often place unbearable restraints on a student’s ability to attain this key commodity. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, many qualified students are forced to drop out of college or refrain from pursuing it in the first place because they simply cannot afford to do so. Recent studies show the national average for students graduating from a 4-year college or university within 6 years is 59%. Within the African American community, the national average is an alarming 42% (Journalist Resource). More disappointing is that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) tend to graduate students of color at a rate of 30% within 6 years (University of Pennsylvania). Howard University has a much higher graduation rate of 64%, but lags behind the #1 ranked HBCU, Spelman College at 79% (The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education). How many promising futures have been destroyed? How long shall we stand by and watch this occur? Lack of Money Should Never be a Barrier to Higher Education

There is much work to be done to improve our institutions. Expensive college costs, restrictive loan programs and insufficient endowment funds, particularly at HBCUs, are major deterrents to an impoverished student’s ability to graduate from college. Despite a family’s strong work ethic and vision



for the future, their child may never attend college. If the child gets to college, he or she may be forced to drop out and will be less likely to return. Those with the good “fortune” to enter and complete college tend to question their “fortunes” when graduating with tremendous debt. These circumstances present overwhelming difficulties to those who seek to prosper and live well-balanced, fulfilling lives. What We Can Do

Howard University has a legacy of graduating students that have succeeded in many professional disciplines in areas that may have seemed impossible, but for the students’ “True Grit”. The Williams-Franklin Foundation wants to continue that legacy with financial support for current and future Howard University students. As Howard University graduates and founders of the Williams-Franklin Foundation, Dwight and LaShelle recognize the vital importance not only of graduating college, but in doing so with limited or no debt. HU alumni, partners and supporters are our greatest resources to reach our fundraising goal of $1 million by 2019 for HU scholarships. We will work diligently with our contributors, inspiring them to reach back as we move forward. With our support, Howard University’s legacy of excellence can and will continue.

Homecoming season is here! 👀We know every HBCU thinks theirs does it best… so let’s settle it in the comments.Drop your ...
10/09/2026

Homecoming season is here! 👀

We know every HBCU thinks theirs does it best… so let’s settle it in the comments.

Drop your HBCU + tell us why your homecoming is undefeated. 👇🏾

Homecoming season is here and the WFF Junior Board is kicking things off with a night to connect, celebrate, and start t...
10/03/2026

Homecoming season is here and the WFF Junior Board is kicking things off with a night to connect, celebrate, and start the weekend right. 🎉

Join us for the DC Homecoming Social on Thursday, October 15 from 5-9 PM at Lima Twist in Washington, DC.

HBCU alumni, young professionals, and friends of the Foundation are all welcome.

Tickets are $25 in advance; price goes up at the door.
🎟️ Grab yours at wmsfranklinfoundation.org

We’re building the next chapter of WFF and we want you to be part of it. 🎓Join the Founding 100, a community of supporte...
10/02/2026

We’re building the next chapter of WFF and we want you to be part of it. 🎓

Join the Founding 100, a community of supporters helping us continue creating opportunities for HBCU students through scholarships, mentorship and meaningful connections.

Your support doesn’t stop at a donation. It becomes part of someone’s story.

Join the Founding 100: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/wMbaAw?vid=1sfziw

Join us for Leaves of Legacy, an inaugural fall fundraiser benefiting the Williams-Franklin Foundation. 🍂Hosted by The F...
10/01/2026

Join us for Leaves of Legacy, an inaugural fall fundraiser benefiting the Williams-Franklin Foundation. 🍂

Hosted by The Fireside Giving Collective, this evening will bring together philanthropic professionals from across the DMV for music, cocktails, bites, and meaningful connection, all in support of the next generation of HBCU scholars.

📅 Tuesday, October 6
⏰ 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 ZOOZ Cocktail Garden | Washington, DC

Come gather. Give back. Leave a legacy.

Scan the QR code to join us.

We’re proud to see WFF Board Member Phil Croskey and his wife, Jallon, featured in the Baltimore Community Foundation’s ...
09/29/2026

We’re proud to see WFF Board Member Phil Croskey and his wife, Jallon, featured in the Baltimore Community Foundation’s article, “HBCUs: Normalizing Black Excellence, Preserving History, and Strengthening Baltimore.”

Phil shares how his Morgan State experience shaped his leadership and continues to inspire his commitment to supporting HBCU students through the Williams-Franklin Foundation.

Read the full feature:

Hear from Baltimore philanthropists about the institutions that shaped their lives—and why they’re investing in the next generation.

Looking for a way to give back, meet some great people and be part of something that matters?The WFF Junior Board might ...
09/25/2026

Looking for a way to give back, meet some great people and be part of something that matters?

The WFF Junior Board might be exactly what you’re looking for. 👏🏾

Our Junior Board helps us build community, create events and raise support for the HBCU students at the heart of our mission.

Interested in getting involved? Email us at [email protected]

WFF merchandise is more than something you wear. It’s a way to represent a mission you believe in. 💙Every purchase helps...
09/24/2026

WFF merchandise is more than something you wear. It’s a way to represent a mission you believe in. 💙

Every purchase helps support scholarships for HBCU students working toward their degrees, careers, and goals.

Wear the mission. Share the mission. Help us continue investing in the next generation.

Shop here https://wmsfranklinfoundation.org/shop/.

Address

3503 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington D.C., DC
20008

Telephone

+12023524353

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