Building Bridges: Morgan Stanley’s HBCU Ambassadors Champion Education and Opportunity
Alita Wingfield, Leon Henderson, Jr., and Nii Dodoo are more than colleagues at Morgan Stanley—they are united by a shared heritage as alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their dedication to giving back to these institutions. As ambassadors for Morgan Stanley’s HBCU Scholars Program, they extend their commitment to HBCUs and their students well beyond their own graduation days.
Wingfield, a Managing Director in Legal and Compliance and Head of the firm’s Compliance training program, graduated from Spelman College and Howard University Law School. Henderson, a Managing Director in Wealth Management, earned an architecture degree from Howard University and later an MBA from Harvard Business School. Dodoo, an Executive Director in the Fixed Income Division, is a Morehouse College alumnus with a double major in finance and mathematics and a minor in computer science.
Each credits their HBCU experience—part of a legacy of 101 institutions founded before the civil rights movement to serve the African-American community—as profoundly transformative. “My son attends Harvard, but I was actually more excited when my daughter got into Spelman,” Wingfield reflects. “You leave there feeling like you can conquer the world. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Spelman and Howard.”
Expanding the Legacy
The trio’s deep ties to HBCUs, including spouses and children who also attended, naturally led them to join the leadership of Morgan Stanley’s HBCU Scholars Program. Established in 2020 through the firm’s Institute for Inclusion, the program provides full scholarships to students at Howard, Morehouse, and Spelman while offering career training to set them on paths to lifelong success.
Initially, the program funded five four-year scholarships per institution, with plans to grow to a total of 60 scholars by 2024. Covering the entire cost of attendance, the scholarships are available to students across all disciplines and majors.
Opening New Career Pathways
Henderson, whose daughter chose Howard over other prestigious universities, underscores the practical and emotional reasons HBCU alumni feel driven to support the program. “Many of us maintain connections with our alma maters throughout our careers,” he explains. “Morgan Stanley’s decision to involve HBCU alumni in this initiative was a great call.”
While the scholarships have no obligations for recipients to join Morgan Stanley, the ambassadors hope the program will inspire students to explore careers in financial services—an industry that could greatly benefit from more diverse talent.
“Introducing students who might not otherwise consider our industry is something I’m passionate about,” says Wingfield, noting the financial sector’s need for more bright, talented Black graduates. Henderson agrees: “This program gives us a chance to recruit diverse candidates and generate greater interest in an industry that still lacks diversity.”
Celebrating the HBCU Experience
The ambassadors also highlight the unparalleled value HBCUs provide for Black students. “Having professors and peers who look like you, who truly care about your success, and who understand your challenges is invaluable,” says Wingfield.
Dodoo echoes this sentiment, describing his time at Morehouse as “unbelievable.” Small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a powerful alumni network set his experience apart. He credits a fellow Morehouse graduate with helping him secure his first job in banking, offering guidance throughout the interview process. “To this day, he’s like a brother to me,” Dodoo shares.
In early 2022, Dodoo joined the HBCU Ambassador team and vividly recalls the day he interviewed students for the program’s latest cohort. “Hearing how some didn’t know if they could afford to continue their education—and realizing we could make a difference—brought tears to my eyes. This program has a profound impact on young lives.”
Looking Ahead
As the program enters its third year, Wingfield, Henderson, and Dodoo remain committed to its growth and impact. “As long as I’m at Morgan Stanley, I’ll be part of the HBCU working group, always looking for ways to engage students and make the program even better,” says Wingfield.
Dodoo envisions a future where program graduates join Morgan Stanley. “I can easily see not just one or two, but several of them working alongside me. To me, it’s not just likely—it’s highly likely.”
Together, they continue to champion the mission of HBCUs, ensuring these institutions and their students thrive for generations to come.
