Morehouse College and Howard University are partnering with UNCF to launch the new initiative Project ACCLAIM (Accelerating Learning in Asset Investment Management), an ambitious program that will provide students with funds to invest in the capital markets, access to industry experts, and career guidance to help develop a pipeline of diverse talent in the financial services sector. Project ACCLAIM, slated for implementation in the Fall 2025 Semester, is being made possible by a transformative, $10 million gift from Adage Capital Management and Elizabeth and Phill Gross.
“Project ACCLAIM represents a groundbreaking partnership between UNCF, Adage Capital Management, and visionary philanthropists Elizabeth and Phill Gross,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. “By cultivating a robust pipeline of Black talent in the financial services industry, this transformative initiative will play a critical role in closing the wealth gap for African Americans. By empowering HBCU students with real-world experience, mentorship and access to capital, Project ACCLAIM equips them to become future leaders who can drive positive change within the industry and their communities.
“We are thrilled to launch this program at Morehouse and Howard and look forward to expanding Project ACCLAIM’s reach and impact in the years to come.”
Project ACCLAIM is designed to provide HBCU students with a comprehensive undergraduate learning experience in investment management, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in asset management. Through rigorous coursework, hands-on experience, and co-curricular activities, the program aims to enhance finance and investing curricula at HBCUs, foster a strengthened community of practice among faculty, and establish a centralized student-managed investment pool.
In Project ACCLAIM, students will have responsibility for investing $4 million into the capital markets. These investment pools will support the program and other institutional priorities.
Over the next year, dedicated teams of faculty, industry experts and program leaders will focus on three critical areas to ensure the successful launch of Project ACCLAIM: developing a rigorous curriculum tailored to HBCU students; establishing partnerships with leading financial firms for internships and mentorships; and creating a centralized framework for the student-managed investment pools. Faculty workshops will align teaching with industry standards, and regular stakeholder meetings will refine the program, setting a new standard for experiential learning in asset management.
At Morehouse, Sher R. Gibbs, Ph.D., Dean of business and economics, will implement the project, which will strengthen Morehouse’s commitment to offering experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for career success and growth. The College’s Division of Business and Economics has one of the largest finance programs in the country among HBCUs.
Hodan Hassan, vice president of institutional advancement at Morehouse College, said the generous investment will support Morehouse’s legacy of excellence in higher education and its mission to produce outstanding leaders in all fields.
“We are deeply honored and thankful to receive this generous gift from Adage Capital Management, philanthropists Elizabeth and Phill Gross, and our partners at the UNCF,” Hassan said. “This contribution will enhance the world-class academic and career exposure experiences Morehouse College offers its students.”
UNCF officials hope to expand the powerful initiative to other cities and HBCUs in the future, further diversifying the financial services industry and creating more institutional wealth-building activities that have a lasting impact on the communities served by these institutions. In fact, at least four more endowments are planned for other qualifying universities, along with a grant program to support HBCUs that establish similar programs at their respective institutions.
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Partnerships of Purpose