United negro college fund ANNOUNCES GRANT FROM "UNCLAIMED DIAMONDS"
TO ESTABLISH THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP

Grant Will Provide Scholarships for Tri-State Area Students from Single Parent Households

Fairfax , VA - The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) today announced a $10,000 grant from Unclaimed Diamonds of Philadelphia, PA to establish The Youth Empowerment Scholarship.

The program will provide scholarships to high-achieving students from single parent households residing in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania; Gloucester, Camden, Burlington and Mercer counties in New Jersey; and New Castle County in Delaware. Students will be considered who have grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.0 or better.

The Youth Empowerment Scholarship seeks to provide access to higher education for college freshmen enrolled in any of UNCF's 39 member colleges/universities or PA's Lincoln University, Cheyney University and Temple University. The scholarship is designed to support students who demonstrate the most severe financial needs.

Matthew Sulby, owner of Unclaimed Diamonds, says he worked with UNCF to create The Youth Empowerment Scholarship as a way to give back to the communities that have supported him over the years. Sulby attended Temple University for a short while, but a lack of funds prevented his completing college. "I had a tough time growing up. I had to learn that there was value to my life and to every human life. Perhaps, through this scholarship, I will help to empower someone else towards realizing his or her value. and this is only the beginning. I intend to grow this scholarship to support many, many future UNCF scholars!"

"On behalf of the United Negro College Fund and the students who will gain opportunity to attend college as a result of this program, I am so pleased and highly honored to accept this grant from Unclaimed Diamonds," said Gwen Polk, Assistant Area Development Director of UNCF's Philadelphia office. "This generous gift will make our talented students' dreams of a college education, become a reality. Mr. Sulby is a role model whom, I hope, many will emulate."

For additional information about the scholarship, application deadlines and forms, students can visit www.unclaimeddiamonds.com , or www.uncf.org or contact Rebecca Bennett at 703-205-3538.

Founded in 1944, The United Negro College Fund is the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. UNCF raises funds to support its 39 member institutions and has helped more than 300,000 students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. Currently, UNCF administers more than 450 programs, including scholarship and fellowship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. For more information about UNCF, visit www.uncf.org.

Contact: Gwen Polk at (215)925-9044