The Sachs Foundation, a Colorado Springs-based organization dedicated to helping Black Coloradans further their education, announced on Monday that it has awarded more than $1.7 million in scholarships and financial aid over the past year.

Established in 1931 by Pikes Peak-area philanthropist Henry Sachs, the foundation has awarded more than $45 million to more than 3,200 Black scholars, according to officials at the nonprofit.

“The success of this incredible group of scholars demonstrates the importance of investing in Black talent and excellence,” said Sachs Foundation CEO Ben Ralston.

The announcement comes nearly one year after a Supreme Court decision prohibiting race as a factor in college admissions. The ruling sends the message that Affirmative Action and other racial educational equity programs have outlived their usefulness, Ralston said.

“This foundation was established, with its racial equity mission, in 1931,” he said.  “We existed while schools were still segregated, we existed through the civil rights era, and, through all that, there was never a time when a government entity was trying to put a stop to the work that we’re doing. Until now.”

As colleges pull back on racial equity programs, the role of organizations like the Sachs Foundation is more vital than ever, Ralston said.

“As universities have to start pulling back, it means we, as a private foundation, kind of carry that mission for those who want to support racial equity,” he said. “It’s even more important that we’re out there advocating for our scholars and funding our scholars.”

Over the past year, the foundation has awarded scholarships and grants to 50 Black Coloradans, including Abdimalik Hussein, a recent Palmer High School graduate who was born in Somalia.

“Abdi is an incredible kid,” Ralston said.

Hussein, a Gazette Best and Brightest award recipient, plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall with an eye toward eventually becoming a neurosurgeon. But he realizes that his path could have been a lot different if not for the Sachs Foundation.

“Education equity and access in rural Africa is practically nonexistent,” said Hussein, 18. “I could very well have ended up in a very different place.”

To help children in Somalia get an education that would give them more opportunities, Hussein and his parents launched Give2Dev in 2021 to raise enough money to hire a teacher for children in the northern Somali village of Bali Golis.

The small Colorado Springs-based charity started small, with one teacher educating 15-20 students for a full day five days a week, and has since built a school, as the number of students has more than doubled.

“The teacher started out meeting with students under a tree,” said Hussein, 18. “But we have been able to hire a second teacher. Now, students there are learning and thriving.”

Hussein, who speaks Somali and Arabic in addition to English, began receiving mentorship through the Sachs Foundation’s Elevated program while he was enrolled at North Middle School.

“They’ve been supporting me since eighth grade,” he said. “It’s been a long journey, and being here at the end, at the culmination of this experience … it’s just lovely.”

In addition to being gifted scholars, many Sachs graduates have made a positive impact on their communities through volunteer activities, social justice work and other endeavors, according to Ralston.

“Our scholars are incredibly connected to their communities,” he said. “The amount that they give back to their families, their schools, and their communities is astounding.”

Hussein’s passion for educating himself and others supports Ralston’s belief that the Foundation’s role, in 2024, is more vital than ever.

“The laws governing racial equity programs may be changing,” he said. “But our mission has not.”