Jeff Bezos Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott Donates $40 Million To Morgan State University, Pledges Millions To HBCUs

Mackenzie Scott, Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott Donates $40 Million To Morgan State University, Pledges Millions To HBCUs

In today’s climate with the heightened awareness of racial tension and the fight for Black Lives Matter, MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon founder billionaire Jeff Bezos, is making a major impact in the lives of Black students.

The philanthropist pledged millions of dollars to HBCUs across the country as part of the Giving Pledge initiative.  The Giving Pledge was formed by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates, which asks the world’s richest people to donate large portions of their money to charity.

Author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, who’s wealth has accumulated to $60 billion after her 2019 split with Jeff Bezos (the world’s wealthiest person), plans to do more giving.  Her recent $40 million donation to Morgan State University was the largest individual donation in history, and according to the school, the money will go towards “student success, spur research and further our strategic plan,” as stated in a Twitter post.

President David Wilson of Morgan State University praised Scott and her donation saying,

“This monumental gift will change lives and shape futures.  I thank Ms. Scott for her due diligence and acknowledgment of the substantive value Morgan offers to so many throughout this nation and around the world, and entrusting that we will ensure the enduring impact of her generosity is truly transformational for many years to come.”

In addition to Morgan State, Prairie View A&M University was the recipient of millions of dollars as well–$50 million to be exact.  The school took to their Twitter to praise Scott too.

Writer and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given $50 million to Prairie View A&M University to be used at the discretion of the President to support the needs of the university!

Writer and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given $50 million to Prairie View A&M University to be used at the discretion of the President to support the needs of the university!??? https://t.co/CPG5iIItGC pic.twitter.com/zUoEFvxSw3

— Prairie View A&M (@PVAMU) December 15, 2020

In a post on Medium, MacKenzie Scott shared,

“This pandemic has been a wrecking ball in the lives of Americans already struggling.  Economic losses and health outcomes alike have been worse for women, for people of color, and for people living in poverty.  Meanwhile, it has substantially increased the wealth of billionaires.”

Scott, who has already donated over $4B to 384 organizations in the last four months, confirms that she is “far from completing my pledge”.

What are your thoughts on her giving to HBCUs and other endeavors around the country?  Share with us.