The Black Student Fund: Fostering Leaders Through Education and Support

Since 1964, the Black Student Fund (BSF) has been dedicated to providing African-American students in the Washington, DC metropolitan area with access to quality education and comprehensive support services. Evolving from a scholarship fund, BSF offers holistic services and enrichment opportunities, fostering student success both academically and personally. The organization's commitment to delivering outstanding education, resources, and unwavering support is geared towards empowering scholars to attain excellence.

A Legacy of Educational Opportunity

The Black Student Fund was established in 1964 with the aim of maintaining access to independent schools for Black children from low to modest income households. For more than sixty years, the BSF has been pivotal in helping families access quality education in DMV independent schools. The organization provides scholarships as well as essential support services to black students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. A new example of the Catherine B. First organized in 1964, the Black Student Fund has been providing a path for students from low-income families to attend high-caliber, well-established independent schools in the Washington, D.C. area.

BSF-assisted students stay in school, graduate high school with distinction and enter college. 70% of these students are from one-parent households. The Black Student Fund is dedicated to bringing people together by maintaining access to independent schools for black children from low to modest income households.

Comprehensive Support and Enrichment

Eligible families receive a suite of benefits, including a tuition grant, emergency resources, summer enrichment, and access to BSF partner programs. Beyond financial assistance, BSF supports families with school advocacy, youth development workshops, STEM programs, and cultural events, tailoring its offerings to meet the evolving needs and talents of its scholars. Participation in BSF's programs and activities is mandatory for member families, underscoring our commitment to their holistic development. The rewards of being part of BSF extend far beyond the financial grant, enriching the educational journey of our scholars.

Annually, BSF enhanced K-12 educational experiences with programs, activities, and financial support. We reached students in independent, public, and public charter schools through in-person and virtual programs. Students were placed in learning programs during school terms and summer breaks to lessen the financial burden on families. BSF engaged with high school students through DC's youth employment programs and consistently collaborated with non-profits and businesses to foster STEM education and youth development.

Read also: Funding for Black Students

Programs Promoting Excellence

BSF's programs promote academic excellence, youth development, and college readiness. The organization offers both in-person program and virtual programming.

STEM Initiatives

BSF's Math an' Coding program is a transformative initiative born from the success of our Videogame Institute (VGI). Our goal is to address the underrepresentation of persons of color in STEM fields by providing comprehensive education and exposure.

Mathematics is the cornerstone of STEM, reaching far beyond traditional equations. It's a vital tool utilized in various domains, including: Chemistry, Biology, Medical Research, and Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Accounting, and Finance Social Sciences: Social Work, Education, and International Studies.

BSF STEM offers three distinct program themes that cater to diverse interests and aspirations:

Mathematics: Dive into the world of numbers, logic, and problem-solving. Develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts that form the foundation of various STEM disciplines.
Coding and Computing: Explore the art of coding and its applications. From software development to app creation, empower yourself with the skills to shape the digital landscape.
STEM Career Awareness: Uncover the exciting array of opportunities within STEM fields. Gain insights into potential career paths, empowering you to make informed decisions about your future.

This summer, Patriots Technology Training Center (Patriots), working with BSF, will offer fifty students outstanding FREE summer programming that will expose Prince George’s middle schoolers to some of the most important STEM fields. The fields include Coding/Programming, Aerospace/Aviation, Video Production, Bio-Medical, STEM Careers in Video Games, & AI/Cyber Security.

Read also: The Black List Internship

Twinmotion serves as a versatile tool used by professionals across industries. Architects and designers bring concepts to life while scientists use it for accurate data visualization. Our students benefit from an accessible platform to explore and create, allowing them to experiment with various elements, colors, and structures. Twinmotion lets you add motion and interaction to your visuals, making it easier to communicate complex concepts and create engaging virtual experiences and create fun virtual experiences that everyone can enjoy. Twinmotion's rendering features enable users to transform their designs into stunningly realistic images that showcase intricate details and elevate their concepts.

Math enrichment is a core component of BSF STEM. We offer a diverse range of math learning tools and programs to enhance students' mathematical skills and understanding. We guide our students through the fundamentals of coding, enabling them to master functional programming concepts. After establishing a foundation, we guide students into developing video games, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on experience. We prioritize both technical skills and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), promoting complete growth beyond coding.

Discover the fascinating world of machine learning through our comprehensive program: Introduction to TensorFlow, NumPy, Matplotlib, and SciKitLearn. Explore the intersection of mathematics and AI. Develop a strong foundation in linear algebra, calculus, and statistics.

The Daniel Alexander Payne Community Development Corporation conducts a Girls Who Code program for middle and high school young women, i.e., who are age 8-14. The Black Student Fund works in collaboration with the CDC.

We guide our students through the fundamentals of coding, enabling them to master functional programming concepts. After establishing a foundation, we guide students into developing video games, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on experience. We prioritize both technical skills and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), promoting complete growth beyond coding. Our mission is not just about coding syntax. We aim to equip students with knowledge of software's capabilities and limitations and provide a moral compass to navigate the world of technology. Our focus is on: Moral Boundaries Recognizing what should not be designed or created, considering the implications of technology on humanity. Ethical Design Understanding what furthers mankind and contributes positively to society.

Conchita Poole Math Circle

Where excellence in mathematics meets spirited competition. At the Conchita Poole Math Circle, we take pride in nurturing young mathematical minds and preparing them for exciting challenges.

The 2023 MathCounts National Student Video Competition

This year, we took the MathCounts National Student Video Competition by storm. Our dynamic team consisted of two middle school competition teams, each comprising four exceptional students. The teams, named"Math Masters" and "Smarties," embraced the spirit of competition and camaraderie. With veterans from last year's successful "Saints" team, they were ready to tackle any challenge that came their way. These bright minds showcased their passion for problem-solving and mathematics. This year, both teams handled algebra problems and presented their entries: A Baller Question and A Batch of Problems to Solve.

DMV National School Choice Week Townhall

The Black Student Fund joins tens of thousands of schools, parents and children raising ‍awareness of K-12 education options during National School Choice Week 2026, which will be held January 25-31, 2026. In collaboration with independent schools, public and charter school educators and parents, BSF will present a DMV School Choice Town Hall and a series of media events showcasing parent school choice.

The Black Student Fund is selecting up to 10 poets who attend high school in the DMV to showcase.

Core Values

BSF operates on a foundation of core values that guide its programs and interactions:

Kid-Centric: We prioritize the development of each student’s unique qualities and skills.
Leadership: We demonstrate the courage to close the gap between the present and our ideal future.
Mindfulness: We live in each moment with full awareness and engagement.
Service: We bear a faithful responsibility to nurture the excellence that exists within our young people.
Collaboration: Well, of course, we are way more powerful when we partner together.
Belonging: We build a beloved community big enough to celebrate all of our similarities and differences.
Collective Responsibility: We are each other’s keeper.

Impact and Results

Over 5000 Students Received from students, parents, and guardians. 90 DMV Shools Schools Reached in the DMV Region. > $10,000 High school students earned employment programs.

The Black Student Fund has a proven track record of success. To date, over 2,500 students have participated in the program. 99% of those assisted have graduated from high school and approximately 86% graduated from college.

Voices of Experience

Parents and alumni attest to the transformative impact of the Black Student Fund:

Farida Dorsey, a parent, shares, "The Black Student Fund has been a part of my family for decades providing one in a kind educational opportunities that catapulted my girls to success."
Taru Taylor, an alumnus, echoes this sentiment, stating, "The Black Student Fund has been a part of my family for decades providing one in a kind educational opportunities that catapulted my girls to success."

Parents have also lauded the iD Tech virtual camps facilitated by BSF, highlighting the engaging learning environment, hands-on coding experience, and the positive influence of young adult tutors.

Leadership and Structure

BSF is a collective organization directed by a Board and Staff and powered by a community of supporters both individuals and entities. Key personnel include:

Leroy Nesbitt, Executive Director
DelShaun Adams, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
Gregory Billings, Finance and HR Director
Tyson Toussaint, BSF STEM Director
Kerwin E. Miller, Flying Tigers China Program Manager

Application Information

The application will open on December 1, 2025, and close on January 31, 2026.

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