by Vanessa Roberson
The eight cohort of HBCU Scholars has just been announced, and it a solid list of over 80 students! Learn who the scholars are, and why the scholars program is so important in the full story from The U.S. Department Of Education below.
The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative) today announced its eighth cohort of HBCU Scholars. This program recognizes 86 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, civic engagement and much more.
Currently enrolled at 54 of our nationâs HBCUs, the scholars were selected from an applicant pool of over 200 students who submitted completed applications that included a transcript, resume, essay, and letter of recommendation. Applications also required the signature of their university president, adding a level of prestige to this application process.
âThe HBCU Scholars announced today all have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their learning and exemplify the talent that our nationâs Historically Black Colleges and Universities have nurtured for generations,â said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. âThe students who hold this honor are committed to creating a more just and equitable society through their civic engagement. They are leaders and change-makers in their communities, and I cannot wait to learn from them as they serve as ambassadors both for the White House Initiative and their institutions of higher education.â
âAs President of the State of Floridaâs first Historically Black College or University I am exceedingly pleased to support the tremendous work of the Initiative in its most recent selection and recognition of the nationâs highest achieving scholar students from across our 105 historic institutions,â said Edward Waters University President & CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. âThe White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Scholars Programâs longstanding commitment and emphasis upon platforming the very best and brightest amongst our students and showcasing their exceptional high scholarship and demonstrable leadership on a national stage speaks directly not only to the continuing contemporaneous relevance of HBCUs but equally underscores the uncontroverted depth of extraordinary talent that our institutions continue to produce and possess.â
Over the course of an academic school year, the HBCU Scholars selected through this program will serve as ambassadors of the Initiative and their respected institution. The Initiative will provide scholars with information about the value of education as well as networking opportunities. Scholars can also share these resources with their fellow students.
Through their relationships with community-based organizations, and public and private partners, all of which are gained through this recognition, scholars will also share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential.
This cohort of HBCU Scholars will also participate in national and regional events and monthly classes with Elyse Jones, HBCU Scholar Program Coordinator, Initiative staff and other professionals from a wide range of disciplines. All HBCU Scholar events are designed to connect HBCU students with non-profit, business, and federal leaders to discuss professional development while identifying challenges and providing equitable solutions to barriers that HBCU students face when preparing and entering the 21st century workforce.
âSupporting the next generation of student leaders who will continue their education and graduate from HBCUs has been the highlight and joy of my career with the Initiativeâ says Elyse Jones, HBCU Scholar Program Coordinator. âIt is my honor to announce these 86 students who will continue to make meaningful contributions to our country. Each student selected into this program has demonstrated their commitment to their academic achievements and improving their communities. I look forward to working with them as partners I canât wait to see what they will do as leaders.â
Selected HBCU Scholars will be invited to the 2021 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, which will take place September 7-10, 2021. This yearâs conference theme is âExploring Equity.â During their time at the conference, they will participate in sessions about entrepreneurship, innovation, and personal and professional development. Most importantly, they will also have opportunities to engage with one another and showcase their individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.
More information about the  HBCU Scholarsâ activities will be provided in the coming months as they serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on Historically Black colleges and Universities.
Below is a list of the 2021 HBCU Scholars in alphabetical order by their hometown state, and including the city they are from, the school they attend and the schoolâs location. (Sorted by School Location)
ALABAMA
Athens- Michelle Deesâattends J.F. Drake State Technical College, Huntsville, AL
Mobile- Jerika Edwardsâattends Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
Montgomery- Austin Smithâattends Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
Montgomery- Lydia Williamsâattends Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
Pelham- Ayala Seabornâattends Talladega College, Talladega, TX
Prichard- Kennedy Davisâattends Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Talladega- Ashton Hallâattends Talladega College, Talladega, AL
Tuskegee- Bruce Tylerâattends Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
ARKANSAS
Little Rock- Aaron Slaterâattends Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock, AR
Marion- Spencer Jonesâattends Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
North Little Rock- Alexandria Williamsâ attends Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
West Memphis- DeShawn Barnesâattends Lane College, Jackson, TN
CALIFORNIA
Hayward- Zauria Murphyâattends Bennet College, Greensboro, NC
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
District of Columbia- Chandler Nutallâattends Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
FLORIDA
Cocoa- Deben Petersonâattends Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, SC
Miami- Myrlandie Myrbelâattends Florida Memorial University, Miami, FL
North Port- Brianna Brooksâattends Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL
Riverview- Naim Brownâattends Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL
GEORGIA
Acworth-Jacob Robinsonâattends Hampton University, Hampton, VA
Acworth-Taylor Dorseyâattends Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Albany-Brianna Pendergrassâattends Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL
Atlanta- Alexandre Hurleyâattends Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta- Ashleigh Smithâattends Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
Atlanta-Brandon Grahamâattends Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta- Jayla Rossâattends Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
Atlanta- Raven Hollisâattends Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Atlanta-Valerie Bennettâattends Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
Augusta-LeShawn Doolittleâattends Paine College, Augusta, GA
Augusta-Joshua Gayleâattends Voorhees College, Denmark, SC
Cartersville- Christy Turnerâattends Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
Jonesboro- Madison Staffordâattends Paine College, Augusta, GA
McDonough- Kerra Kellyâattendees Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Snellville- Sydney Nelsonâattends Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
ILLINOIS
Harvey- Kristopher Bondâattends Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
KENTUCKY
FrankfortâChaundra Bush âattends Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY
LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge- Edrius Staffâattends Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Lafayette- Normandie Cormierâattends Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
Ponchatoula- Noah Williamsâattends Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
Zachary- Kevin Taylor- Jarrellâattends Southern A&M University, Baton Rouge, LA
MARYLAND
Bowie- Paige Blakeâattends Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
Bowie-Janine Jacksonâattends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Ellicott City- Lauren Brownâattends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Hyattsville- Michael McGeeâattends Bowie State University, Bowie MD
Silver Spring- Fottmatta Tunkaraâattends Howard University, Washington, D.C.
MICHIGAN
Detroit- McKinley Loweryâattends Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Inkster- Jayla Berryâ attends Benedict College, Columbia, SC
MISSISSIPPI
Columbus- Ganesa Williamsâattends Rust College, Holy Springs, MS
Jackson- Sydney Burksâattends Hinds Community College, Utica, MS
Pickens- Kalon Johnsonâattends Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
MISSOURI
Florisson- Jordan Braithwaiteâattends Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
NORTH CAROLINA
CharlotteâRaven Hamiltonâattends Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
Charlotte- Rachel Richardsâattends North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC
Durham- Derrick Stanfieldâattends North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Efland- Milosh McAdooâattends North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC
Jamestown- Shemika Summerâattends Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
Raleigh- Efhe Ikharoâattends North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Winston-Salem- Varvara Papakonstantinouâattends Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
NEW JERSEY
Camden-Inaaya Colemanâattends Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Ewing- Elijah Kellyâattends Benedict College, Columbia, SC
Jersey City- Kimberly Gardnerâattends Howard University, Washington, D.C.
NIGERIA
Ekiti- Iyunola Owoyemiâattends Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
OHIO
Dayton- Demetrius Youngâattends Kentucky State University, Frankfurt, KY
Dayton- Quintin Jordanâattends Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
OKLAHOMA
Ardmore- Joseph Fields âattends Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Oklahoma City- Kiyana Akinsâattends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
PALESTINE
Rafa Gaza Strip- Roulan Abunahlaâattends Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia- Juliana Paulâattends Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Philadelphia- Stephen Brownâattends Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Philadelphia- Zâ Sakina Jacksonâattends Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbia- Albertus Cocklinâattends Allen University, Columbia, SC
Demark- Angelon Brooksâattends Denmark Technical College, Denmark, SC
Denmark- Quitasia Donaldsonâattends Voorhees College, Denmark, SC
Lexington- Javonni Ayersâattends South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
Rock Hill- Skylar Grovesâattends Norfolk State University, Durham, SC
TENNESSEE
Memphis- Kelsey Hendersonâattends Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Memphis- Doug McCollumâattends Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
Nashville- Brittany Fitzgeral-Hallâattends American Baptist College, Nashville, TN
TEXAS
Dallas- J âNya Thompsonâattends Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR
Grand Prairie- Ebony Cormierâattends Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Houston- Dexter Marylandâattends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
LeLand- Cassandra Walkerâattends Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
San Antonio- Darius Martinâattends St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
Southlake- Alexis Walkerâattends Hampton University, Hampton, VA
VIRGINIA
Richmond- Kayla Jenkinsâattends Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
mâattends Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
Nashville- Brittany Fitzgeral-Hallâattends American Baptist College, Nashville, TN
TEXAS
Dallas- J âNya Thompsonâattends Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR
Grand Prairie- Ebony Cormierâattends Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Houston- Dexter Marylandâattends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
LeLand- Cassandra Walkerâattends Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
San Antonio- Darius Martinâattends St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
Southlake- Alexis Walkerâattends Hampton University, Hampton, VA
VIRGINIA
Richmond- Kayla Jenkinsâattends Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC