2022 HBCU Scholarship Recipients

Linda Akele

My name is Linda Akele, a rising senior Political Science major, Criminology minor from New Jersey attending Howard University. I transferred to Howard in the Spring of 2022 from Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey, to pursue something significant for myself. I aspired to attend law school right after graduation, to become an attorney in the future, and I know that Howard University is the best choice for me to fulfill my goals.

Once I began my tenure at Howard University, I became involved in numerous establishments, such as Resident Assistant of Howard University Housing, Juvenile Justice Advocates Organization, Howard University NAACP (Political Action Committee), and most importantly Howard University Transfer Student Association (HUTSA). As the President of HUTSA, my job is to ensure the progressiveness of Howard University Transfer Student Association and indirectly the constitutional goals of the organization. In this position, I am able to advocate for students on issues such as housing, mentorship as well as scholarship(s).

Receiving scholarships as a transfer student is a challenge I faced while pursuing my degree. Being able to receive this scholarship from this foundation will not only be a blessing for me, but will allow me to help with my education expenses. This will lift a lot of stress knowing that I don’t have to worry about my tuition. Because of this scholarship, this will push me harder to fulfill my goals of starting up a scholarship foundation for the future and for sure, giving back to this specific foundation.

One day, I will be in a good financial position to help other students who are in my position now struggling with their tuition because I strongly believe that every student should be able to attend a higher education without having to worry about how they’ll pay. Education at a higher institution is very important and knowledge that is needed within this world, especially within the Black community.

Once again, thank you so much for giving me this scholarship and being able to excel in my academics.

Sean Clemons

My plan is to enroll at Howard University as a Karsh STEM Scholar and pursue an undergraduate STEM degree. My ultimate goal is to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science that will enable me to enroll in a highly specialized computer science career or teach at the college level. I understand that to earn a Ph.D. I must prove academic success in my undergraduate program. I desire to learn more about the different specialty areas of Computer Science like Robotics and Software Engineering. I am interested in joining an initiative that focuses on increasing access to STEM careers within low to mid-income communities. In this sense, students from marginalized communities can have more of a presence within these industries. The Karsh STEM Scholars program will provide the opportunity for me to achieve my goals with the support of mentors and peers.

My ability to excel in my high school computer programming course is driven by my enjoyment of solving problems and my early exposure to the STEM field by my aunt and her organization, ACCESS Educational Services Inc. She and her program has been one of my greatest influences. At ACCESS, a problem I solved was when I had to recreate the game Yahtzee. I was confused on why the code I had written to detect a Small Straight (achievement in Yahtzee) did not work. I had to repeatedly go over my work and try to find new solutions until I created a code that worked perfectly.

Inevitably, I intend on giving back to both my college community and my hometown. My endeavors will focus on facilitating early exposure to STEM programs and mentorship to underrepresented and underserved youth. I aspire to invest my time to teach youth about computer science and the importance of technological advancements in marginalized communities. I intend on placing emphasis on how to use technology in a fun and engaging way that they would not learn otherwise. As technology continues to change rapidly, and become more prominent, it will be necessary for people to understand how to code and work with computers. There are many job opportunities that will require technical skills and it is just good to know in general. This program will teach youth the basics of computer science from beginner to advanced lessons. The goal is for students to enjoy computer science, learn skills, and have the desire to attend college in the pursuit to earn a degree in STEM.

I believe I deserve this scholarship because not only do I meet the criteria but receiving this prestigious scholarship would mean the world to me. First, it would be an incredible honor and blessing to have my hard work over the course of four years be recognized by such an esteemed organization. Secondly, this scholarship would help me meet my future academic and career goals by making college more affordable. And finally, I can help my parents out and lessen their financial burden. Since preschool, they have always made a significant investment in my education, along with my two brothers. Education has always been their number one priority and for that, I am eternally grateful and will always find a way to give back.

2022 Hesus Fund Scholarship Recipients

Jamaya Scott

I once believed that as a scholar, leadership meant being the most assertive, commanding, and unique student in the room — doing things my way, even if I was going against the masses. While those qualities could make a great leader, leadership is more than that. A leader does not always have the answers but is willing to work through any situation and ask for help. Thus far, I have embodied that.

Coming from an underprivileged neighborhood, the educational and housing disparities became more apparent as I grew older. With each two-hour train commute to my high school in East Harlem from my home in Jamaica, Queens, I noticed the progression in the street's refinement and pleasant surroundings as I crossed into Manhattan. More importantly, though, I saw children's destinies change depending on their birth street. I knew that I was not meant to thrive in my community, or at least I would not be able to be successful without help. And so, I sought the help I needed to elevate myself by becoming an SEO scholar.

Though a considerable part of leadership is having a clear vision and believing in your cause enough to advocate for your ideas to be heard, it is not solely about self-advocacy but advocacy for others. For this reason, I use my privilege as a Cornellian to advocate for more students of color, specifically Black women in law. I am a proud member of Cornell's Pre-Professional Law fraternity, Kappa Alpha Pi, where I engage in weekly debates on Constitutional Law to develop my communication and analytical skills and learn to synthesize arguments as a team. As the only freshman, one of two black students, and only HEOP scholarship recipient to join this Pre-Professional organization fall semester, I initially felt isolated. Instead of sulking about being one of the few, I realized that I could work to change those statistics. After all, I am a prime example of the capabilities of New York City's students when provided the opportunity to beat the destiny of generational poverty. I strive to advocate for more diversity and actively aid in the inclusion of minority students. I now participate in panels for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion talks and training and work to engage black community members through social media influence. I urge students to believe in their ability to be leaders and take control of their destiny the same way I did.

After Cornell, I intend to pursue a career as a family lawyer. I am passionate about redirecting the family court system to be more accessible for underrepresented and minority communities and more centered around acting in the children's best interest. To reach those next steps, I must first overcome the financial burdens of attending an Ivy League school, even as a HEOP recipient. If chosen, this scholarship will aid in offsetting a student contribution of $3,000 for the upcoming school year. With the financial weight lifted, I hope to delve deeper into my role as an advocate and take on an executive board position as the Diversity and Inclusion chair in Kappa Alpha Pi this upcoming year.

Ethan Moses

Ever since I was five and locked eyes on the large TV in my living room showcasing staticky episodes of Judge Judy, I wanted to become someone who could step into a room and ooze intellect and success. When I was younger, I imagined myself as a judge, sitting with a gavel in my hand, wearing a navy silk robe, the American flag on my right, and the New York City flag on my left. 

To achieve my dream – and any other version of it: a diplomat, a lawyer, a politician, or even a historian – meant I needed to get an education. My Ghanaian mother, who made it to the U.S. despite tremendous adversity, seized every opportunity without a formal education. Growing up in Harlem, she taught me, I too would need to embrace every opportunity that came my way, and I did: from chess, history, art, and law electives in high school, to a Saturday history academy at the Museum of the City of New York, to a weekend institute at NYU Law School. Through these experiences – in school and out – I began to realize that becoming educated, was a much broader endeavor than I had initially thought. To me, being educated now means following your intellectual dreams and taking every opportunity to grow by meeting new people and learning about new ideas.

In the next stage of my life, I want to immerse myself in communities passionate about learning and using their skills to improve themselves and their environment. I want to absorb every experience and every piece of knowledge I can so I can become a catalyst for growth and change for my community. Since arriving at Penn, I’ve become involved in several organizations. Whether it be the Black Student League, the Black Pre-Law Association, or chess and boxing clubs, these communities help me find my sense of belonging in a new state, in a new institution, and in a new academic mindset. By taking leadership positions in these clubs, such as the Marketing Chair for the Black Pre-Law Association and the Social Media Marketer for the Penn Law Journal, I embrace the value of learning through taking initiative and risks. From collaborating with my board to plan our annual Black Pre-Law conference, in which we had Attorney General Karl Racine join us, to the weekly events I managed for the undergraduate students, I was able to continue to hone my leadership skills, but through my passions and my thirst for learning. I plan to continue immersing myself in these virtuous communities and working immensely hard to reach that position in law I’ve always desired. If selected for this scholarship, I would have the opportunity to be the utmost prepared for my undergraduate studies by funding the rather expensive books required in rigorous classes I’m attempting such as Strategy, Policy and War, Intermediate Swahili II, and even Ancient Political Thought, as well as fund the transportation to and from university, in addition to transportation fees whilst on campus.

Lesly Ramirez Melchor

Being first generation is not an easy task, nor will it ever be. I would often discredit my sacrifices by comparing them to the ones my parents had made. I would often overwork myself because I’ve grown into the habit of my parents who constantly overworked. I often forgot that my mental health should come first because of how taboo mental health was in my Mexican family.

Growing up, I believed a leader was someone who was openly loud, not afraid of anything and had some privilege. I thought my tan skin and my Spanglish tongue prevented me from ever becoming a leader. Not until my senior year of high school did I realize my skin color and language had nothing to do with becoming a leader. My biology teacher recommended that I apply for the Student Voice Program, a non-profit program run by students who advocate for student-driven solutions to educational inequality. Although I was declined for the journalism fellowship program, they offered me a spot for the District Direct Action Leadership Training that allowed me to train and learn how to host meetings or address an issue to the D.O.E. and college board members. With the skills I learned, I met with my principal and discussed how there should be more counselors with better training. I mentioned the experience I had with one of my school counselors and how I felt unheard, had no privacy, and was afraid to ask for help.

Over the summer of 2021, I facilitated small gatherings to talk about the social issues that were highly rising, for instance, the Anti-Asian hate crimes, the Black Lives Matter Movement, Women’s Rights, etc. Facilitating these events wasn’t just for me to educate myself and others on these social issues, but it was also an opportunity to hear and support the stories many of my friends and other peers were afraid of sharing. I also hosted a safe space for scholars to talk about their experiences and concerns on mental health as first-generation students. Being at SEO Scholars made me realize the other numerous first-generation students who also struggled with getting help or having a place to talk about their mental health.

At Baruch College, I plan to create a club that allows first-generation students to talk about their struggles and help advocate for better mental health resources. My goal is to become an immigration lawyer and an advocate for mental health. I have heard the stories many minorities are afraid to tell, and I have experienced insufficient help on my mental health as a first-generation student. I plan on using the HESUS Fund to pay for my tuition and books, and donate to the Baruch College Counseling Center because the counseling center was the first place to give me and other first-generation students the tools to process the traumas many of us face.

Crystal Secaira

When applications for the next Latinos Unidos (my high school's Latino group) president opened, I contemplated whether or not I could lead the club. Entering high school, I felt disconnected from my Latine identity as, since middle school, I grew accustomed to having my ethnicity weaponized against me to prove I didn't belong. However, during my sophomore year, the club president assured me that if I joined, I wouldn't regret it. And I didn't. The president created an environment where other members and I felt confident learning about new topics while we grew more comfortable using our voices.

This experience prepared me to become one of the first event managers in my junior year. Instead of focusing on perfection, I concentrated on what I could improve by analyzing past events. Thus, I dedicated time to ensure I had the proper resources, and I frequently collected feedback from my community to present to my team on what we could improve. As I gained more experience, I discovered I enjoyed being a mentor as an event manager, a Latinos Unidos member, and a Science Olympiad, as others could learn from my experiences and build on them, leading to even better events, discussions, and community ties.

Reflecting on the past, I decided to apply for the presidency, as I wanted to give back to the group that had done so much for me. During my time as Latinos Unidos' president, I combined the knowledge from past presidents with my own experience. I hosted "Community Hour" after every weekly meeting to ensure that members had space to express themselves and give their input on future projects. I also dedicated time to searching for scholarships and programs I knew my members would benefit from, as I knew the impact an opportunity could have on one's future. For my juniors, I created a college guide because I knew how critical it was to demystify terms like FAFSA for first-generation students. Today, I continue to act as a mentor for some former club members.

At Swarthmore College, I’m continuing to grow as a leader as I take every opportunity to get involved with my community. I tutor for Dare 2 Soar where I enjoy pushing my tutees to challenge themselves and find their own love of learning. I'm a part of ENLACE, my school's Latine group, and QuestBridge's board, and I will never forget how the Latinos Unidos community helped me embrace my identity.

If chosen for the HESUS Fund scholarship, I would certainly purchase a laptop, and save myself the constant worry of needing to do all my work in the library to access a functioning computer. This would allow me to dedicate more of my time to leading and supporting positive changes and opportunities on my campus. 

2022 HESUS FUND SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION