Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 21 October 1999 — Page 12

The Muncie Times, October 21, 1999, page 12

CIVIL RIGHTS JOURNAL

Gates’ prove to be visionaries

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and the wealthiest man on Earth, is a visionary. He proved that by starting a company which changed human history and now he’s proving that he understands the changes the new millennium will bring about and the responsibilities that the privileged have to ensure a future in which all have an equal opportunity to participate. Bill Gates showed that he is a visionary for the 21st century, as well as for the current one, when he announced the Gates Millennium Scholarship Program, which will make available $1 billion to African American, Latino and Latina and Native American students over the next 20 years. The Gates Millennium Scholarship Program is one of the largest philanthropic gifts ever made and will be administered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). It will guarantee full financing for outstanding students of color who come from poor

Bernice Powell Jackson

families. Undergraduate students will be able to study any subject, but graduate students must be committed to studying science, math, engineering, computer technology, education and library science. By itself it will nearly double the number of scholarships available and was called “earth-shattering, landscape-changing” by William Gray, the head of the UNCF. Mr. Gates himself noted that people of color are vastly under-represented in science,

higher education and in his own computer industry. These scholarships, of which 1,000 are expected to be available every year, are designed to rectify those numbers. Over the past 2 years the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has made large contributions to education, health and library sciences. It has assisted in wiring the country’s public libraries for the Internet. It has also made some $200 million in contributions to research and distribution of vaccines for AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

But prior to that Mr. Gates found himself being criticized for his lack of philanthropy, despite his incredible wealth. It is clear that Bill Gates understand that unless all Americans are equipped to enter the 21st century and its Information Age, that our nation cannot really flourish. He understands that we must either put money in education now or in imprisonment later. He understands that we can expand the slices of the economic pie through education and true equal opportunity. And he’s putting his money on 20,000 young people of color living in our nation’s poorest communities who can make a difference—if given a chance. Beginning in the fall of 2000, those high school seniors who have 3.3 grade point averages or above and are nominated by a teacher or principal will be eligible for the Gates scholarships. They will also have to write essays on their life goals and will be required to commit themselves to some form of community service.

Bill Gates is a visionary and a multi-billionaire who understands that youngpeople of color are a key to the future of our nation. Maybe you and I don’t have that kind of money, but we, too, can have that kind of vision. We can commit ourselves to ensuring that young people of color are prepared and ready to apply for those Gates scholarships. We can be mentors and role models. We can provide summer jobs. We can tutor and we can give what dollars we have. Who knows what future Mae Jemison or Charles Drew or Garret Morgan is out there waiting for a chance. Thanks, Mr. Gates, for believing in the future. Thanks for challenging us to do the same. Bernice Powell Jackson is executive director of United Church of Christ Commission For Racial Justice based in Cleveland, Ohio.

William H. Gray, III, left, president and CEO, UNCF, with Bill and Melinda Gates during announcement of billion-dollar grant.

UHDCft CONSTRUCTION COMPANY • Painting • Concrete • Remodeling •Additions (765) 284-0694 Bill Linder 3408 E. Ila Drive • Muncie