Jamaican Olympic legend Usain Bolt has announced a $4 million donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), establishing a scholarship program in honour of his young daughter, Olympia Lightning Bolt.⁠ The initiative is aimed at supporting students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with a focus on empowering the next generation of Black leaders.⁠..

Jamaican Olympic legend Usain Bolt has announced a $4 million donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), establishing a scholarship program in honour of his young daughter, Olympia Lightning Bolt.⁠

The initiative is aimed at supporting students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with a focus on empowering the next generation of Black leaders.⁠..

 

 

June 19, 2025

In a powerful act of philanthropy and legacy-building, Jamaican Olympic legend Usain Bolt has pledged a remarkable $4 million donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The gift will establish a scholarship program in honor of his daughter, Olympia Lightning Bolt, aimed at empowering students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The “Olympia Lightning Bolt Scholarship” is designed to support high-achieving, financially disadvantaged students of African descent. The program will focus on cultivating leadership, academic excellence, and community impact—values Bolt says he hopes to instill in his daughter and in future generations of Black leaders.

“As a father, I want my daughter to grow up in a world where every talented young person—regardless of background—has a fair shot at success,” Bolt said in a press release. “This scholarship is about opportunity, equity, and building a better future. Education opens doors, and I want to help open as many as I can.”

The partnership with UNCF, a leading advocate for minority education and scholarships, ensures that the funds will be directed to the institutions and students most in need. The initiative will fund tuition, housing, books, and mentorship programs, with an emphasis on STEM, education, sports management, and public service—fields where Bolt believes HBCU students can make an immediate and lasting impact.

UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax praised the donation as “transformative,” and lauded Bolt not only for his legendary achievements on the track but also for his continued commitment to global upliftment.

“Usain Bolt has already inspired millions with his speed, determination, and grace,” Dr. Lomax said. “Now, through this generous gift, he is sprinting toward another finish line—one where access to education and leadership development is no longer a barrier for young Black students. We are deeply honored to carry out this mission in partnership with him.”

Bolt, an eight-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 100m and 200m, has long used his platform to champion causes related to youth development and education, especially in his home country of Jamaica. This latest initiative marks his most significant U.S.-based philanthropic effort to date.

The first cohort of Olympia Lightning Bolt Scholars will be announced in Fall 2025, with students selected from a pool of applicants attending eligible HBCUs. Candidates will be evaluated on academic performance, financial need, leadership potential, and community involvement.

Bolt said naming the program after his daughter was a personal decision, reflecting his hopes for the world she will grow up in. “Olympia represents the future. I want her to see that giving back is part of greatness,” he said.

The initiative arrives at a time when HBCUs are experiencing renewed attention and investment, yet many continue to face funding gaps and resource shortages. Bolt’s contribution is expected to inspire other high-profile figures in sports and entertainment to step forward in support of educational equity.

“Legacy isn’t just about medals or records—it’s about what you leave behind for others,” Bolt said. “This is just the beginning.”