Langley FCU & Langley for Families Foundation Support Norfolk State On Many Diverse Levels
Langley Federal Credit Union understands the global impact of obtaining a college degree. The financial institution, based in Newport News, Virginia, donates to several colleges in the region including Christopher Newport University, College of William & Mary, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and Old Dominion University. The credit union and its Langley for Families Foundation share the same passion and commitment for higher education as their Chief Impact Officer for Langley FCU, and Vice Chairman for Langley for Families Foundation, Jerome Fowlkes. Fowlkes received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech and an MBA from the College of William & Mary, but when he sets foot on the campus of Norfolk State University he says he feels that there is something special. “You feel wanted and a part of the university community. I really appreciate and value Norfolk State.”
Fowlkes arranged a campus tour at Norfolk State for several Langley Federal Credit Union teams. “The tour was to just see the University, the people, students, and the campus. Everybody came back so impressed, not only with the University’s mission and goals, but as an organization we needed to support. This is where it began.” In 2023, Langley committed $25,000 per year for a five-year period. The first year of the agreement began in 2024. “We wanted the money to be available to students each year—that was the only stipulation we put on the gift,” Fowlkes noted. “He further explained, “We wanted to be able to help kids right away.” Langley’s overall gift will total $125,000 that will support student scholarships.
“We’re always looking for other ways to help nonprofits. We worked with the NSU Alumni Association in 2024 to establish a partnership referral type of agreement. We were trying to develop a broader relationship with Norfolk State because we see it as a vital part of the community. NSU is a strong institution, and we want to be a part of that.”
Langley Federal Credit Union and the Langley for Families Foundation work in tandem to support nonprofit causes around Hampton Roads. Credit Union employees’ contributions are given to the foundation and used for a variety of different causes. Last year, Langley donated $586,658 to several organizations. Langley for Families Foundation, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024, has donated $1,272,481 to the community making the financial organization’s grand total giving around $1.85 million to 175 charitable organizations.*
“Our philosophy is that we strongly believe in the mission of higher education, and we want to help students to achieve that goal. That is why we support several colleges and universities. If our employees seek a higher education, we have programs to help them obtain a college degree. That degree doesn’t have to be in business but in whatever discipline the employee has an interest,” Fowlkes stated. “It’s always good when you try to help people who want to better themselves, do more and that want to contribute to the betterment of the community... and higher education is just another way that we can help people advance themselves and society.”
Fowlkes elaborates on why Langley provides financial support to Norfolk State University. Through education, the University changes the lives of students who in turn change the lives of their communities. “NSU is a very important part of this community. We believe in the mission of HBCUs–their mission and purpose. We believe in higher education in general and wanted to be a part of the good things going on at Norfolk State.”