CHRISTOPHER F. EDLEY

Christopher F. Edley was an African-American administrator and lawyer. In 1960, he was chief of the Administration of Justice Division of the US Commission on Civil Rights. A yardstick for his career was that he helped raise $700 million to aid students attending America's traditionally Black colleges. As part of that effort, he kicked off the first nationally televised telethon for education, the annual ''Lou Rawls Parade of Stars,'' which has raised about $100 million. Edley was a ''man on a mission'' at UNCF, according to his son Christopher Edley Jr. In 1973, he succeeded Vernon Jordan as president of the organization; his objective was to open higher education to tens of thousands who otherwise might not have had that chance. Edley took the wheel just after the group started its famous ad campaign "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." The success of that campaign and his leadership and fund-raising ability transformed the United Negro College Fund into one of the nation's best-known charities. In addition to helping boost annual donations fivefold, Edley also secured a $50 million challenge grant from TV Guide founder and former diplomat Walter H. Annenberg, allegedly the largest single gift in the history of Black philanthropy. He retired in 1991. Christopher F. Edley died in 2003.

PAUL CUFFE

Paul Cuffe was a philanthropist, merchant, and sea captain. A nationalist and Quaker, he was shaped by the major currents of his era. The concerns of his people did not alone define his interest, but they were at the center of his life and accounted for much of his influence. It was through his efforts that blacks were granted the right to vote in Massachusetts in 1783. Most of Cuffe's life was spent in Westport, a Quaker enclave in southwestern Massachusetts where in 1797, he bought a farm for $3500. He had earned his fortune from whaling and trade in the Americas and Europe. He owned shares, over a period of time, up to ten ships, and the financial support of the Friends and their doctrine figured in his success as a businessman. They captained some of his ships and like him, believed in the virtues of the countinghouse, such as industry and frugality, were pleasing in the sight of God. Cuffe's faith was a factor in his using a substantial portion of his wealth to help others, building a school when the community failed to do so and contributing to the raising of a new Friends meetinghouse in Westport. He died in 1818.

REATHA CLARK KING

Reatha Clark King is an African-American administrator, educator, scientist, and philanthropist. Upon completing her graduate chemistry program studies, King did research work in fluorine flame colorimetry for six years at the National Bureau of Standards. She then became a professor of chemistry and associate dean at York College, and then moved on to earn her third graduate degree, this time in business. The President of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota for eleven years, she worked to promote opportunities for minorities and women in higher education. Currently, King is also retiring after fourteen years as president and executive director of the General Mills Foundation, a contributor to the area of education, health and social action, the arts, and cultural affairs.