A national award given to Birmingham Promise Executive Director Samantha Williams means $1 million for the nonprofit that provides scholarships and internships for students in Birmingham City Schools.
Williams is among five winners of the CAFÉ Group 1954 Project Luminary Award, which goes to leaders at organizations working to transform educational outcomes in Black communities.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor for Samantha, and it is a true reflection of the caliber of leadership she has provided for Birmingham Promise,” said Danny McKinney, chairman of the Birmingham Promise board of directors. “We are proud of this award and grateful to The CAFÉ Group for supporting and helping us uphold the vision of Birmingham Promise.”
The 1954 Project is the CAFÉ Group’s flagship initiative, named for the year of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. The Luminary Award winners receive $1 million in unrestricted funding for their programs.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as a Luminary,” Williams said. “This is a testament to how powerfully our mission and students’ achievements resonate, reaching national donors who have hundreds of organizations and leaders to choose from. I couldn’t be more excited for this partnership and the support and opportunities it will provide.”
