White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Announces 2021 HBCU Scholars

Courtesy of US Department of Education

The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative) 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 nation’s 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.

“The HBCU Scholars announced today all have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their learning and exemplify the talent that our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities have nurtured for generations,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 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.”

“As President of the State of Florida’s 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 nation’s highest achieving scholar students from across our 105 historic institutions,” said Edward Waters University President & CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. “The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Scholars Program’s 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.”

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.

“Supporting 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 Initiative” says Elyse Jones, HBCU Scholar Program Coordinator. “It 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 can’t wait to see what they will do as leaders.”

Selected HBCU Scholars will be invited to the 2021 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, which will take place September 7-10, 2021. This year’s conference theme is “Exploring Equity.” 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 Scholars’ 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 school’s location. (Sorted by School Location)

ALABAMA

Athens- Michelle Dees—attends J.F. Drake State Technical College, Huntsville, AL

Mobile- Jerika Edwards—attends Dillard University, New Orleans, LA

Montgomery- Austin Smith—attends Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL

Montgomery- Lydia Williams—attends Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL

Pelham- Ayala Seaborn—attends Talladega College, Talladega, TX

Prichard- Kennedy Davis—attends Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL

Talladega- Ashton Hall—attends Talladega College, Talladega, AL

Tuskegee- Bruce Taylor—attends Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL

ARKANSAS

Little Rock- Aaron Slater—attends Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock, AR

Marion- Spencer Jones—attends Dillard University, New Orleans, LA

North Little Rock- Alexandria Williams— attends Jackson State University, Jackson, MS

West Memphis- DeShawn Barnes—attends Lane College, Jackson, TN

CALIFORNIA

Hayward- Zauria Murphy—attends Bennet College, Greensboro, NC

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

District of Columbia- Chandler Nutall—attends Spelman College, Atlanta, GA

FLORIDA

Cocoa- Deben Peterson—attends Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, SC

Miami- Myrlandie Myrbel—attends Florida Memorial University, Miami, FL

North Port- Brianna Brooks—attends Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL

Riverview- Naim Brown—attends Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL

GEORGIA

Acworth-Jacob Robinson—attends Hampton University, Hampton, VA

Acworth-Taylor Dorsey—attends Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA

Albany-Brianna Pendergrass—attends Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL

Atlanta- Alexandre Hurley—attends Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA

Atlanta- Ashleigh Smith—attends Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL

Atlanta-Brandon Graham—attends Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA

Atlanta- Jayla Ross—attends Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA

Atlanta- Raven Hollis—attends Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX

Atlanta-Valerie Bennett—attends Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA

Augusta-LeShawn Doolittle—attends Paine College, Augusta, GA

Augusta-Joshua Gayle—attends Voorhees College, Denmark, SC

Cartersville- Christy Turner—attends Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD

Jonesboro- Madison Stafford—attends Paine College, Augusta, GA

McDonough- Kerra Kelly—attendees Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

Snellville- Sydney Nelson—attends Jackson State University, Jackson, MS

ILLINOIS

Harvey- Kristopher Bond—attends Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS

KENTUCKY

Frankfort–Chaundra Bush –attends Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY

LOUISIANA

Baton Rouge- Edrius Staff—attends Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA

Lafayette- Normandie Cormier—attends Xavier University, New Orleans, LA

Ponchatoula- Noah Williams—attends Xavier University, New Orleans, LA

Zachary- Kevin Taylor- Jarrell—attends Southern A&M University, Baton Rouge, LA

MARYLAND

Bowie- Paige Blake—attends Bowie State University, Bowie, MD

Bowie-Janine Jackson—attends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

Ellicott City- Lauren Brown—attends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

Hyattsville- Michael McGee—attends Bowie State University, Bowie MD

Silver Spring- Fatoumatta Tunkara—attends Howard University, Washington, D.C.

MICHIGAN

Detroit- McKinley Lowery—attends Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA

Inkster- Jayla Berry— attends Benedict College, Columbia, SC

MISSISSIPPI

Columbus- Ganesa Williams—attends Rust College, Holy Springs, MS

Jackson- Sydney Burks—attends Hinds Community College, Utica, MS

Pickens- Kalon Johnson—attends Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS

MISSOURI

Florisson- Jordan Braithwaite—attends Grambling State University, Grambling, LA

NORTH CAROLINA

Charlotte—Raven Hamilton—attends Shaw University, Raleigh, NC

Charlotte- Rachel Richards—attends North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC

Durham- Derrick Stanfield—attends North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC

Efland- Milosh McAdoo—attends North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC

Jamestown- Shemika Summer—attends Shaw University, Raleigh, NC

Raleigh- Efhe Ikharo—attends North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC

Winston-Salem- Varvara Papakonstantinou—attends Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC

NEW JERSEY

Camden-Inaaya Coleman—attends Delaware State University, Dover, DE

Ewing- Elijah Kelly—attends Benedict College, Columbia, SC

Jersey City- Kimberly Gardner—attends Howard University, Washington, D.C.

NIGERIA

Ekiti- Iyunola Owoyemi—attends Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS

OHIO

Dayton- Demetrius Young—attends Kentucky State University, Frankfurt, KY

Dayton- Quintin Jordan—attends Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC

OKLAHOMA

Ardmore- Joseph Fields –attends Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

Oklahoma City- Kiyana Akins—attends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

PALESTINE

Rafa Gaza Strip- Roulan Abunahla—attends Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia- Juliana Paul—attends Delaware State University, Dover, DE

Philadelphia- Stephen Bowen—attends Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

Philadelphia- Z’ Sakina Jackson—attends Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Columbia- Albertus Cocklin—attends Allen University, Columbia, SC

Demark- Angelon Brooks—attends Denmark Technical College, Denmark, SC

Denmark- Quitasia Donaldson—attends Voorhees College, Denmark, SC

Lexington- Javonni Ayers—attends South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC

Rock Hill- Skylar Groves—attends Norfolk State University, Durham, SC

TENNESSEE

Memphis- Kelsey Henderson—attends Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

Memphis- Doug McCollum—attends Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Nashville- Brittany Fitzgerald-Hill—attends American Baptist College, Nashville, TN

TEXAS

Dallas- J ‘Nya Thompson—attends Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR

Grand Prairie- Ebony Cormier—attends Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA

Houston- Dexter Maryland—attends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX

Hutchens- Taylon Owens- attends Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University, Prairie View, TX

LeLand- Cassandra Walker—attends Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX

San Antonio- Darius Martin—attends St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX

Southlake- Alexis Walker—attends Hampton University, Hampton, VA

VIRGINIA

Richmond- Kayla Jenkins—attends Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC