“A people without a voice cannot be heard.”
Help us keep it that way by making a generous donation for as low as $2. Your support will fund local, investigate journalism for the community, by the community.
“A people without a voice cannot be heard.”
Help us keep it that way by making a generous donation for as low as $2. Your support will fund local, investigate journalism for the community, by the community.
The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper
By Courtesy of Louise Labrie
The University of San Diego’s University Center became a beacon of hope and achievement on June 1st, as the Ebony Pearls Foundation of San Diego Inc. in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter celebrated academic excellence and invested in the future of our youth.
The Annual Scholarship Reception & Awards Ceremony distributed $78,200 in scholarships, with the Ebony Pearls Foundation awarding $55,200 to 26 college bound high school seniors and Alpha Phi Alpha’s Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter contributing $23,000 to 7 students.
The scholarship recipients represent the best of the Class of 2025: Ilori Baham, Tia Bell, Isabella Bonner, Serenity Catlin-Mitchell, Aliyah Drake, Roman Evans, Fatuma Hamisi, Kyson Hansen, Ashley Harvey, Jordyn House, Jada Jones, Leilah Jones, Theon Kambon, Wambui Kennedy, Chyire Killens, Sajanah King, Addison Martin, Jayden McGilveary, Aryah Palms, Tori Patrick, Eugene Rice, Zamir Rose, Nychelle Sanders, Deondranae Smith, Ajahna Tate, Johnnie Welborne III, Caron Baker, and Taylen Hall.
Awards were also bestowed for the Essay and Spoken Word Contest. Essay 1st place winners included William Mooreland, middle school, and Aliyah Drake, high school. Alycia Rankin earned the top honor for spoken word.
Seven-year-old Kye Jones moved the 200 guests with his stirring rendition of “Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing. Other cultural entertainment included an empowering spoken word presentation from Kalia Oliver and an energetic marching band performance by the Heartbeat Music Performing Arts Academy.
The ceremony included a special segment featuring college students Jayla White and Jared Jones, who shared practical “Pearls of Wisdom” with the scholarship recipients. Their insights aimed to help the graduating seniors navigate the challenging transition from high school to higher education.
Honorees truly embody this year’s theme, “Voices of the Future: Rising, Thriving, Leading,” which was perfectly captured in Aliyah Drake’s powerful essay excerpt: “I refuse to reside in a world where silence wins. We will not let the chains of the past be rebirthed into the policies of the present. We will lead in schools, in politics, in business, in art: not just to exist in these spaces, but to transform them.”
Scholarship Donations to support future scholars can be made to the Ebony Pearls Foundation of San Diego at P.O. Box 881473, San Diego, CA 92168, or at theebonypearlsfoundation.com
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