Diocesan Reparations Committee presented $90k in scholarships to 16 students and 2 Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Garden City, NY – The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City was packed full as sixteen scholars selected for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island’s Barbara C. Harris Scholars Program were presented with their scholarships by the Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, Bishop of Long Island, during a “Juneteenth Jubilee” on June 17th.
$5,000 scholarships were awarded to sixteen college students demonstrating scholarly achievement and commitment to their communities. All scholars are the descendants of enslaved people who exhibited exceptional academic excellence and dedicated themselves to creating a more just world in their communities.
The 2023 scholars include: Alexandra Ebanks of Centerport; Aniya Strong of North Babylon; Ashlee Cox-Pinckney of Huntington; Devyon McDonnough-Canarsie of Brooklyn; Ivie-Ann Mergille of Greenlawn; Jamila Smith of West Hempstead; Jordon Basnightof Westbury; Julivonne Edme of Roosevelt; Kaiyn Ashley of Bushwick, Brooklyn; Kayla Jones of Coram; Kyla Woodroffe of Jamaica, Queens; Nayshawn Ferebee of Copiague; Olivia Colquhoun of Central Islip; Taylor Rae Almonte of Homecrest, Brooklyn; Tenaya Campfield of Roosevelt; and Vanessa Osse of Baldwin.
This is the second year that scholarships were awarded through the Barbara C. Harris Scholars Program, established in 2022 by the Reparations Committee of the Diocese of Long Island. Created specifically for Black, African American, or Caribbean American descendants of enslaved people pursuing higher education or vocational training, this program seeks to break down financial barriers that have hindered the educational aspirations of these scholars.
The selection process was rigorous, with 105 applications received and evaluated through three rounds by the diligent Reparations Committee, led by Penny Allen Grinage. Their vision is to expand and perpetuate this program annually, extending support to even more deserving students who are passionate about furthering their education.
In addition to recognizing the scholarship recipients, Voorhees University in South Carolina and St. Augustine's University in North Carolina – two Historically Black Colleges and Universities founded by The Episcopal Church – were awarded $5,000 each.
Bishop Provenzano Reflection
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Photos from the Jubilee
Photography by Jen Uihlein, Girl in a Camera Productions