A vivid and comprehensive account of the history of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). -- Dwayne Ashley Teachers College Record 2007 Reveals the multifaceted story of the organization's effort on behalf of black colleges. -- Bobbi Booker Philadelphia Tribune 2007 So many issues are imbedded in the intersection of race and philanthropy, yet so few researchers have tried to probe them. Gasman is to be admired for being bold enough to examine the 'double consciousness' that existed for both Blacks and Whites in leading and supporting the UNCF. -- Pier C. Rogers Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly 2007 A thoughtful, incisive history of the UNCF. -- Alvin J. Schexnider Diverse Issues in Higher Education 2008 A solid basis for continued consideration of the intersections of race, philanthropy, and higher education. -- Jean Preer Journal of American History 2008 Gasman convinces the reader that agency is complex and compelling, and as a result she reminds the reader that the historical and contemporary ironies of opportunity in this democracy deserve exploration and discussion. -- Philo A. Hutcheson Review of Higher Education 2008 Envisioning Black Colleges is a worthy addition to the larger field of philanthropic history, and it brings new depth to the study of the history of African American higher education in the US. -- Jana Nidiffer NEA Higher Education Journal 2008 Marybeth Gasman has provided an excellent study of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). -- Antonio F. Holland Register of the Kentucky Historical Society 2008 Professor Gasman fills an important and neglected gap in the history of black higher education and its ongoing relationship with philanthropy in the mid- to late twentieth century. -- Thomas O'Brien History of Education 2009 Gasman's book is a very informative history of the founding and the evolution of the UNCF during the period examined. Her use of visual images from UNCF campaign advertisements is powerful, underscoring their strong symbolism reflective of the times and each story deftly told. -- Caroline S. V. Turner Oral History Review 2010 Gasman is to be admired for being bold enough to examine the 'double consciousness' that existed for both Blacks and Whites in leading and supporting UNCF. -- Pier C. Rogers Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly 2007