HBCU Students Express Gratitude For Ida B. Wells Textbook Fund In Viral Video

In a new video, students who were the lucky recipients of the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Textbook Fund have shown their thanks to all those who contributed. Howard University and Morgan State University attendees can better focus on their studies, with the pressure of buying books now alleviated.

The video was shared on Facebook through the Fund’s founder and coordinator, Dr. Stacey Patton, official account. Stating that she was “so touched” by the video, Patton shared that her initial belief that only one student was expressing gratitude turned into multiple recipients of the Fund.

“I thought I was gonna click on this thank you video from ONE student who received money from the Ida B Wells Textbook Fund,” shared the educator.

“But no, he took his camera and went around campus and got thank you messages from other students who also benefited from your generosity. This touched my heart because I have only met one of these students face-to-face. So it is nice to put faces to their email requests and CashApp info.”

The textbook fund has been life-changing for students enrolling at the HBCUs. Given $250 stipends, the money can be used for student needs beyond textbooks, including course equipment and technology software. Applicants must submit a form demonstrating need, with allotments given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Fund is crowd-sourced, with the money for the students acquired by communal donations, often totaling $25K each semester, which helps approximately 70 students each fall and spring. Over $30K was raised for this fall term to help even more scholars.

The students in the video shared their gratitude for the Fund helping those across a wide range of majors.

“I want to take a moment to thank all the donors of the Ida B. Wells Fund who have helped many others like myself take time out of their day to focus on education rather than purchasing books,” shared Valery Jean-Jacques, a junior majoring in television and film at Howard University.

Another student, political science major Nikkya Taliaferro, expressed how the donors of the Fund are helping students who are financially independent Fund their academic journey,

“The Ida B. Wells Book scholarship has allowed me to buy all my textbooks for the semester, which has really been a help, especially as I independently financially support myself through college. So one less stress and another opportunity to continue going through my college experience.”