Michael Lomax

Michael Lomax, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), a position he has held since 2004. Under his leadership, UNCF has become the largest private provider of scholarships and educational support for African American students in the United States, raising over $3 billion and assisting more than 300,000 students in earning college degrees.24

Background and Education

• Education: Dr. Lomax earned a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College, a Master of Arts in English Literature from Columbia University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Emory University.13
• Previous Roles: Before joining UNCF, he served as the president of Dillard University in New Orleans from 1997 to 2004. He also taught at Morehouse and Spelman Colleges for two decades.13

Achievements at UNCF

• Scholarship Programs: He oversees over 400 scholarship programs that award more than 10,000 scholarships annually, enabling approximately 50,000 students to attend college each year.24
• Advocacy: Dr. Lomax has been a prominent advocate for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), working to improve their capacity and sustainability through initiatives like the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building.5
• Recognition: In 2024, he received the Andrew Young Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to education and community service.4

Public Service and Contributions

Lomax has a rich history in public service, having been the first African American chairman of the Fulton County Commission in Georgia. He has also been involved in various cultural initiatives, including founding the National Black Arts Festival and serving on boards for organizations like Teach for America and the KIPP Foundation.13

Dr. Lomax continues to be a leading voice in discussions about educational equity and access for underrepresented communities.