Last Updated on September 14, 2023
The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative) has announced its eighth cohort of 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 HBCU Scholars will be invited to the 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.
ALABAMA HBCU SCHOLARS
Roulan Abunahla, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Brianna Brooks, Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL
Michelle Dees, J.F. Drake State Technical College, Huntsville, AL
Kennedy Davis, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Ashton Hall, Talladega College, Talladega, AL
Ayala Seaborn, Talladega College, Talladega, AL
Ashleigh Smith, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
Austin Smith, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
Bruce Taylor, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
Lydia Williams, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
ARKANSAS HBCU SCHOLARS
Aaron Slater, Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock, AR
J ‘Nya Thompson, Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HBCU SCHOLARS
Kimberly Gardner, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Fatoumatta Tunkara, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
DELAWARE HBCU SCHOLARS
Inaaya Coleman, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Juliana Paul, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
FLORIDA HBCU SCHOLARS
Stephen Bowen, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Naim Brown, Edward Waters University, Jacksonville, FL
Myrlandie Myrbel, Florida Memorial University, Miami, FL
Brianna Pendergrass, Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL
Kerra Kelly, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
GEORGIA HBCU SCHOLARS
Valerie Bennett, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
LeShawn Doolittle, attends Paine College, Augusta, GA
Taylor Dorsey, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Brandon Graham, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
Alexandre Hurley, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Chandler Nutall, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
Madison Stafford, Paine College, Augusta, GA
KENTUCKY HBCU SCHOLARS
Chaundra Bush, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY
Demetrius Young, Kentucky State University, Frankfurt, KY
LOUISIANA HBCU SCHOLARS
Jordan Braithwaite, Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
Ebony Cormier, Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Normandie Cormier, Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
Jerika Edwards, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
Kevin Taylor-Jarrell, Southern A&M University, Baton Rouge, LA
Spencer Jones, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
Edrius Staff, Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Noah Williams, Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
MARYLAND HBCU SCHOLARS
Paige Blake, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
Lauren Brown, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Michael McGee, Bowie State University, Bowie MD
Christy Turner, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
Janine Jackson, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
MISSISSIPPI HBCU SCHOLARS
Kristopher Bond, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
Sydney Burks, Hinds Community College, Utica, MS
Kalon Johnson, Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
Sydney Nelson, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Iyunola Owoyemi, Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
Alexandria Williams, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Ganesa Williams, Rust College, Holy Springs, MS
NORTH CAROLINA HBCU SCHOLARS
Raven Hamilton, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
Rachel Richards, North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC
Efhe Ikharo, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Kayla Jenkins, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
Quintin Jordan, Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
Milosh McAdoo, North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, NC
Zauria Murphy, Bennet College, Greensboro, NC
Varvara Papakonstantinou, Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC
Derrick Stanfield, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Shemika Summer, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
SOUTH CAROLINA HBCU SCHOLARS
Javonni Ayers, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
Jayla Berry, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
Angelon Brooks, Denmark Technical College, Denmark, SC
Albertus Cocklin, Allen University, Columbia, SC
Quitasia Donaldson, Voorhees College, Denmark, SC
Joshua Gayle, Voorhees College, Denmark, SC
Skylar Groves, Norfolk State University, Durham, SC
Elijah Kelly, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
Deben Peterson, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, SC
TENNESSEE HBCU SCHOLARS
DeShawn Barnes, Lane College, Jackson, TN
Joseph Fields, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Brittany Fitzgerald, American Baptist College, Nashville, TN
Kelsey Henderson,Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Doug McCollum, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
PENNSYLVANIA HBCU SCHOLARS
Jayla Ross, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
Z' Sakina Jackson, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
SOUTH CAROLINA HBCU SCHOLARS
Javonni Ayers, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
Jayla Berry, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
Angelon Brooks, Denmark Technical College, Denmark, SC
Albertus Cocklin, Allen University, Columbia, SC
Quitasia Donaldson, Voorhees College, Denmark, SC
Joshua Gayle, Voorhees College, Denmark, SC
Elijah Kelly, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
Deben Peterson, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, SC
TENNESSEE HBCU SCHOLARS
DeShawn Barnes, Lane College, Jackson, TN
Joseph Fields, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Brittany Fitzgerald-Hill, American Baptist College, Nashville, TN
Kelsey Henderson, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Doug McCollum, Tennessee State University, SC, TN
TEXAS HBCU SCHOLARS
Kiyana Akins, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
Raven Hollis, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Darius Martin, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, TX
Dexter Maryland, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
Taylon Owens, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Cassandra Walker, Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX
VIRGINIA HBCU SCHOLARS
Skylar Groves, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
McKinley Lowery, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Jacob Robinson, Hampton University, Hampton, VA
Alexis Walker, Hampton University, Hampton, VA
More information about the 2021 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.
