The Liberty Bank Foundation has invested $10,000 in the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS) to support its long-running HBCU Tour, the oldest initiative of its kind in the Northeast.

This new local partnership is aimed at helping local students and families prepare for college while honoring the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The program, led by community leaders and HBCU alumni, provides students and caregivers with firsthand opportunities to explore campuses, while also preparing them with resources to navigate the admissions process, strengthen financial literacy, and build intergenerational support systems.

“At Liberty Bank, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn and grow,” said Liberty Bank President and CEO David W. Glidden. “This $10,000 grant will help families prepare for higher education, and this includes helping with financial literacy. Supporting Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services, an organization that fosters inclusion, opportunity and long-term success, is just one way that we are giving back to our community.”

The HBCU Tour is part of MLKFS’ larger HBCU Experience program, which runs year-round anf emphasized education, empowerment, and legacy. By including both students and their families, organziers say the program builds a stronger sense od shared purpose and connection to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

“This investment from Liberty Bank Foundation is more than financial support—it’s a commitment to shaping the next generation of changemakers,” said Shannon M. Rudder, MBA, President & CEO of Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services. “Together, we are extending the legacy of HBCUs as institutions that both educate and empower entire societies.”