Black Entrepreneur Frank Baker And His Wife Launch $1M Scholarship Fund For Spelman College Graduates

Ayear after billionaire Robert F. Smith vowed to eliminate the student loan debt for Morehouse College’s entire 2019 graduating class, other Black business leaders are following suit. Frank Baker, founder and managing partner of the private equity company Siris, and his wife interior designer Laura Day Baker recently announced the creation of a $1 million scholarship fund for Spelman College graduates.

Frank Baker of Siris and Laura Day Baker to pay remaining tuition for nearly 50 Spelman College seniors and announced a $1M gift toward the establishment of a scholarship to ensure future graduating seniors have the financial resources to graduate. https://t.co/hoSeGdA3ot pic.twitter.com/Xo6veARwDB

— Spelman College (@SpelmanCollege) May 21, 2020

The Bakers have led philanthropic efforts designed to support underserved communities. The fund that the couple started will cover the spring tuition and other expenses for nearly 50 students who are a part of Spelman’s 2020 graduating class and other graduates over the next three years. The initiative was unveiled at Spelman’s virtual Senior Salute celebration.

“We are all aware of the headwinds that people of color, especially women, face in our country, the challenges of which are made even more apparent by the economic and health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” The Bakers said in a statement. “We believe it is critical that talented women finish college and confidently enter – free of undue financial stress – the initial stage of their professional careers. We hope that this gift will help lessen their financial burden as they start this promising next chapter in their lives and encourage them to persevere over life’s challenges.”

Source/ NewsOne