Samantha Williams, executive director of Birmingham Promise, has been named one of five recipients of the 2025 1954 Project Luminary Award, receiving $1 million to expand scholarships and internship programs for students in Birmingham City Schools.
About the 1954 Project Luminary Award
The award, announced Thursday by The CAFE Group, a Chicago-based philanthropy dedicated to advancing equity in education, recognizes leaders driving measurable improvements in Black communities’ educational outcomes. Danny McKinney, chair of the organization’s board, said, “This recognition is a tremendous honor for Samantha and reflects the caliber of leadership she has provided for Birmingham Promise.”
Expanding Opportunities for Birmingham Students
Birmingham Promise covers up to four years of tuition at public Alabama colleges for Birmingham City Schools graduates. The program has already provided more than $15 million in assistance to over 1,600 students and placed 350+ seniors in paid internships to build career skills and professional networks.
Looking Ahead
Williams said the award represents a major investment in local students’ futures. “This is a testament to how powerfully our mission and students’ achievements resonate,” she said. Applications for scholarships and spring internships through Birmingham Promise open Oct. 1 at birminghampromise.org.
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