BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Promise Executive Director Samantha Williams has been selected as one of five recipients of the 2025 1954 Project Luminary Award, earning $1 million to expand scholarships and internships for Birmingham City Schools students.
The CAFE Group, a Chicago-based philanthropy organization focused on advancing equity in education, announced the winners Thursday. The Luminary Award honors leaders working to improve educational outcomes in Black communities.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor for Samantha, and it is a true reflection of the caliber of leadership she has provided for Birmingham Promise,” Danny McKinney, chair of the organization’s board, said in a written statement.
“We are proud of this award and grateful to The CAFE Group for supporting and helping us uphold the vision of Birmingham Promise.”
Birmingham Promise pays up to four years of tuition at public Alabama colleges and universities for graduates of Birmingham City Schools. It has distributed more than $15 million in assistance to more than 1,600 students and placed more than 350 high school seniors in paid internships designed to build work experience and professional networks.
Williams said she was thrilled by the national recognition and called it a significant investment in local students’ futures.
“This is a testament to how powerfully our mission and students’ achievements resonate,” she said. “I couldn’t be more excited for this partnership and the support and opportunities it will provide.”
Applications for Birmingham Promise scholarships and spring internships open Oct. 1 at birminghampromise.org.
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