Born from Crisis. Built on Community.
ACTCTW was founded because the founder watched brilliant students disappear from campus — not because they failed academically, but because a single financial emergency derailed everything.
Our Mission
ACTCTW exists to ensure that no HBCU student loses their education to a temporary financial crisis. We provide emergency scholarships — fast, direct, and without bureaucratic delay — so students can stay enrolled, stay focused, and finish what they started.
Speed
Emergency means now. We process and disburse funds within 72 hours of approval — because a student facing eviction can't wait weeks for a committee review.
Dignity
We treat every applicant with respect. Financial hardship is not a character flaw. Our process is private, compassionate, and free of shame.
Community
We are alumni, faculty, donors, and neighbors who believe the AUC is a national treasure. Protecting it means protecting every student in it.
Accountability
Every dollar is tracked and reported. Donors receive impact updates. Students are supported, not surveilled. Transparency builds trust.
Kymberli Miles Lawson
Founder & Executive Director
Kymberli Miles Lawson is the Founder and Executive Director of A Choice to Change the World (ACTCTW), a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for students through education, financial empowerment, and economic development.
Originally from California and now based in Atlanta, Georgia, Kymberli's passion for service was shaped by her own experiences overcoming financial challenges while pursuing higher education. Those experiences inspired her to create an organization committed to ensuring that financial hardship never stands in the way of someone's dreams.
Through ACTCTW, Kymberli is leading initiatives that provide emergency scholarships, educational resources, mentorship, entrepreneurship support, and community outreach programs designed to help individuals build lasting financial stability and generational wealth. Her vision is to create pathways that empower people not only to succeed academically and professionally but also to become leaders who positively impact their communities.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Kymberli is an entrepreneur focused on financial literacy and business development. She believes that education, ownership, and access to resources are the foundation for transforming lives and strengthening communities.
Kymberli's long-term vision for ACTCTW is to expand its impact nationwide by partnering with colleges, corporations, community organizations, and donors to fund scholarships, support small business development, and create sustainable programs that change lives for generations to come.
“One choice can change a life. Together, we can change the world.”
— Kymberli Miles Lawson
How the Emergency Scholarship Model Works
Student Applies
Students submit a confidential application describing their emergency, the amount needed, and supporting documentation. Applications take under 20 minutes.
Review Within 24 Hours
Our volunteer review committee — composed of AUC faculty, alumni, and financial aid professionals — evaluates each application within one business day.
Funds Disbursed in 72 Hours
Approved students receive funds directly to their student account or via direct deposit within 72 hours of approval. No loans. No repayment required.
Follow-Up Support
We connect students with campus financial counseling and long-term resources so the same crisis is less likely to recur.
The Atlanta University Center
The AUC is the world's largest consortium of historically Black colleges and universities. Its four institutions have produced generations of Black doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, and leaders — including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Marian Wright Edelman, and Spike Lee. ACTCTW serves students across all four campuses.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Whether you give $25 or $25,000, your contribution keeps a student in school.