Engaging the Community.
Empowering Our Scholars.

The Black Leadership Network (BLN) is a partnership-based group founded in 2016 focused on engaging the community and enhancing the educational and leadership opportunities for scholars engaged in the Black Leadership Network at the University of South Florida.

Please share your contact information below to receive special communications and invitations to exclusive events and connect with the BLN community. If you would like to discuss how you can support the Black Leadership Network, please email Melissa Brown, the assistant director of development, Affinity Programs.

The Components of Success

Mentoring
BLN scholars have peer mentors within the program. Peer mentors help new scholars navigate their experience. In addition to peer-to-peer mentoring, scholars are paired with BLN donors and community partners who serve as guides through their academic and professional journey.

Professional and Leadership Development Programs
The staff, along with volunteers, create educational, engaging learning opportunities for scholars. After identifying students' needs through surveys, we develop programs and opportunities that will aid in their success.

Scholarships
The network has scholarships available for students across all three USF campuses, in all majors and classifications.

How to Give?

Recurring Biweekly Payroll Deductions
Your gift amount will be deducted continuously. (For example, $5 = $5 per pay period until you request a change.)

One Payment Payroll Deducation
Your gift amount will be deducted from one pay check only. (For example, $100 = $100 from one pay period.)

Become a Partner TODAY.

If you would like to create your own BLN scholarship, contact us.

BLN was co-founded in 2017 by Jerry Bell, Ashley Butler, Anddrikk Frazier and Edwin Narain. 

"The story I want to eliminate is that of a good student who just needed a thousand dollars to stay in school, but didn’t have the money," says Bell. "We want to make sure those students don’t fall by the wayside because they don’t have the funds. We want to give them a fair chance.”

Our Team

This program or activity is privately funded. See Florida BOG Regulation 9.016(1)(a)7-8 and 9.016(2) and SB 266 (section 1004.06(2), Florida Statutes) 

Give to BLN Scholarship