Black students, get serious about minority scholarship applications (Pt. 3)
BlackTechLogy: With Affirmative Action outlawed, Republicans are trying to block black scholarships altogether
Writer’s note: Click here for part 1, highlighting the Apple HBCU Scholars Program. Applications opened on Sept. 8. Click here for part 2, highlighting the HBCU Tuition & Travel Grant. Application deadline is November 1. Click here for part 4, highlighting the Diversity in Law Scholarship Contest. Application deadline is July 28. Click here for parts 5 and 6, highlighting the Innovation in Education Scholarship (deadline is the 20th of each month) and AIChE Minority Scholarship Award (deadline extended to September 1).
After the Supreme Court’s recent decision to ban colleges and universities from taking race into consideration for granting admission, it appears that’s not enough damage done. MSNBC reports that Republicans are now focusing their lens on minority scholarships altogether.
Republican speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, Robin Vos, claimed via Twitter that minority scholarship programs designated for students who are Black; Indigenous; Hispanic; or of Laotian, Vietnamese or Cambodian descent amounted to “discrimination.” Translation: They’re trying to get back to the days of guessing jelly beans to vote — only this time the ballot is replaced by textbooks and a seat in class.
While black students are already facing mixed-bag obstacles while trying to walk across a graduation stage, this is as good of a time as any to really get serious about applying for minority scholarships before (or if) they’re banned too.
Recommended Read: “White teachers, please stop judging your black students ~ The fine line between empathy, pity and casual racism in education”
This summer and via this “BlackTechLogy” series, I will be highlighting a minority scholarship each week that African-American students can apply for, specifically ones geared toward HBCUs.
Recommended Read: “Black teachers, please don’t tear down your black students ~ Contrary to popular belief, words do hurt”
MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHT: Ron Brown Scholarship
Application Start (and Deadline) Dates: Early applicants (current high school seniors only, not current college students) can submit starting November 1 with a final deadline of January 9 of the following year. Click here for the application (not currently open).
Prize Amount: 45-50 four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 each year)
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
Additional Perks: Finalists are notified and invited to participate in a weekend selection process in Washington, D.C. at the expense of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. After an interview with members of the RBSP National Selection Committee, several activities will require your participation that weekend. Scholarship winners are selected on the basis of their application materials, interviews and participation in weekend activities.
Major/Mandatory Area of Focus: If chosen as a winner, recipients may use the renewable scholarships to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice within the United States. Ron Brown scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective.
HBCU Relevance: Must be Black/African American, along with exhibiting “exceptional leadership potential” and participate in community service activities
Affiliates: Scholarship honors the legacy of Ronald H. Brown, the first African-American to serve as Secretary of Commerce. Brown made it his mission to generate jobs and provide opportunities for “ordinary” Americans. He was also an ardent supporter of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration fleet.
For more information, click here.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the weekly posts every Wednesday. Thanks for reading!