In a groundbreaking move, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) has joined forces with the esteemed University of Oxford to introduce the CBCF Alumni Scholarship. This transformative endeavor aims to bridge financial disparities for Black students aspiring to pursue master’s degrees at this prestigious institution.

The brainchild behind this initiative is Tony Bishop, an esteemed CBCF fellowship alumnus from the class of 2018. Bishop's own journey, marked by academic prowess and professional promise, was hindered by financial constraints when he was accepted into Oxford's Diplomatic Studies program in 2019. Determined to dismantle these barriers, Bishop initiated the CBCF Alumni Scholarship to empower future generations of Black scholars.

Now a White House Advisor based in Washington, D.C., Bishop found support for his vision after attending one of Oxford's executive programs, where he crossed paths with Dinah Rose KC, President of Oxford's Magdalen College. Rose expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We are delighted to be working with Tony and the CBCF on this exciting new initiative, which will provide generous financial support to help talented students from the widest possible pool to access the opportunities that Magdalen and Oxford can offer."

The partnership was solidified with the unwavering support of CBCF President and CEO Nicole Austin-Hillery and Senior Vice President of Resource Development Donna Fisher-Lewis. Austin-Hillery emphasized the scholarship's significance, stating, "This scholarship comes at a crucial time when opportunities for Black students face challenges. We are committed to closing the financial gap and restoring educational opportunities for Black students."

Scheduled to launch in April 2024, the CBCF Alumni Scholarship will see its inaugural recipients commence their studies at Oxford in September 2025. Generous funding for the scholarship was made possible by a grant from the Open Society Foundation.

To learn more about this transformative partnership and the CBCF's initiatives, visit [cbcfinc.org/oxford](https://cbcfinc.org/oxford). For further information about the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, visit [cbcfinc.org](https://cbcfinc.org).