Amanda Morrall Makes History as First Tulsan to Win Obama Foundation Scholarship, Set to Study at Columbia University

Amanda Morrall, a young African-American woman from Tulsa, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first person from Tulsa, USA, to be awarded the prestigious Obama Foundation Scholarship. Morrall secured her spot in the sixth cohort of Obama Scholars, marking her as only the fourth American to be admitted into the Columbia University cohort since the inception of the program.

The Obama Scholars Program, conducted at the University of Chicago and Columbia University in New York City, focuses on empowering leaders who are already making positive impacts in their communities. Candidates from around the world are considered for selection into this program, which provides academic, skills-based, and hands-on training.

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Morrall's remarkable accomplishments include holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from Duke University, where she was recognized as an Alice M. Baldwin Scholar and served as an Ex-Officio Board Member of the Sanford School. She furthered her education with a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California-Los Angeles, where she earned the title of Luskin Ann C. Rosenfield Fellow.

Morrall, an African American, has been actively involved in philanthropy and community service. She holds the distinction of being the first African American to run an endowed, private foundation in Tulsa city. Her goal is to transform philanthropy into a structure based on trust and driven by the community.

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In 2022, Morrall led a strategic planning process at the Coretz Family Foundation, focusing on identifying the needs of local nonprofits and the communities they serve. Her commitment to racial equity is evident through her role as the founding president of Blueprint 918 and her service as a Tulsa Young Professionals Foundation Trustee.

Despite her numerous achievements, Morrall remains dedicated to inspiring others to become philanthropists, emphasizing the importance of community support. She has played crucial roles in developing programs and events for esteemed institutions such as the White House, Duke University, The Aspen Institute, the University of California-Los Angeles, and the United Way.

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Morrall's upcoming studies at Columbia University under the Obama Foundation Scholarship are seen as a testament to her commitment to making a positive impact in her community and beyond.