NBA star Chris Paul backed Sour Patch Kids' $1 million HBCU scholarship program. November 10, 2026 Sour Patch Kids partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and received support from basketball star Chris Paul for a scholarship initiative backed by a $1 million commitment over five years. The programme, called the Mischief for Change Scholarship, aimed to provide financial assistance to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Chris Paul joined the team as a judge, helping select the recipients. The initiative invited current and incoming students to apply for financial support. According to Thurgood Marshall College Fund(2021), the partnership offered scholarships to students enrolled at one of its member schools. The fund shared application details online through its official website. Sour Patch Kids commits $1 million to HBCU scholarships with Chris Paul. The Sour Patch Kids brand partnered with TMCF to offer financial assistance to students attending one of the fund's member schools. The initiative was called the Mischief for Change Scholarship and formed part of the brand's $1 million commitment over five years. The fund was intended to support scholarships for students attending HBCUs and PBIs. The announcement invited current and incoming students of these institutions to apply.Chris Paul joined the team as a judge and helped select the scholarship recipients. The partnership brought together the brand, the college fund and the basketball star for a programme focused on student financial assistance. Mischief for Change Scholarship offered 10 awards of up to $16,700. The scholarship offered 10 awards, with each valued at up to $16,700. The amount could be paid as $8,350 per semester. The programme was open to current and incoming students attending an HBCU or PBI that was a TMCF member school. Chris Paul joined the selection team as a judge. The announcement said that 10 scholars would be selected with his help. The scholarship was presented as a way to provide financial assistance to students pursuing their education at the eligible institutions. NBA star Chris Paul joined students to announce scholarship opportunity. Chris Paul helped introduce the scholarship by joining a virtual meeting with a group of students in the Phoenix area. He announced the scholarship. Paul said, "As an active proponent of HBCUs, I'm honored to help SOUR PATCH KIDS and TMCF select the recipients of this year's Mischief for Change Scholarship.""I've seen firsthand the impact a HBCU education can have on students and our communities. I'm excited to share this opportunity and can't wait to see how these future leaders shape our world." What financial challenges were HBCU and PBI students facing. TMCF President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Harry L. Williams said, "Today's college bound students are facing incredible challenges, with students attending HBCUs and PBIs leaving with more debt than ever before.""Our HBCU scholars are current and future changemakers of our society and our hope is that the Mischief for Change Scholarship can provide those incredible students with the financial assistance they need to focus on what matters most."Sour Patch Kids Associate Director of Marketing Mili Laddha said, "The SOUR PATCH KIDS brand is well-known for its loveably mischievous mascots - the Kids.""Through the Mischief for Change Scholarship, we're recognizing playful students who are creatively diffusing tension, challenging perceptions and sparking meaningful dialogue."

Thurgood Marshall College Fund president to speak at SC State Fall Commencement. Dr. Harry L. Williams will deliver South Carolina State University's Fall Commencement address this December in Orangeburg. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund leader oversees an organization representing most HBCU students nationwide. 2 days ago Thursday, Nov 5 By A. L. Wolfe Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, will deliver the keynote address at South Carolina State University's 2026 Fall Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 4 in Orangeburg, S.C., according to a Nov. 5 announcement. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on the university campus. Each candidate for graduation will receive ten tickets for family members and friends to attend, and the event will also be livestreamed on SC State's official YouTube channel. Graduates are required to assemble in the Fine Arts Building at 7 a.m. on Dec. 4 for a photo with the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees and to receive their name cards for the ceremony. A rehearsal is planned for Thursday, Dec. 3, at 9 a.m., with students expected to arrive by 8:30 a.m. Williams leads an organization representing 57 member institutions that include publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as well as predominantly Black institutions. According to his official biography, these member schools collectively educate about 80% of students attending HBCUs. Under Williams' leadership, TMCF has experienced revenue growth exceeding 250%, which has expanded its ability to support both institutions and students while enhancing its national role in advancing educational access, equity, and inclusion. Williams has held senior positions within higher education, including roles at University of North Carolina General Administration, Appalachian State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and as president emeritus of Delaware State University. He holds degrees from Appalachian State University (bachelor's and master's) and East Tennessee State University (doctorate). Williams is also recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to higher education and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.