Charlotte, N.C./Oct. 4, 2021 -Keiona Marshall ’22 was awarded a $5,000 scholarship by the Philadelphia Foundation, the organization which oversees the Luther and Mary Ida Vandross Scholarship. It is the highest amount awarded for the scholarship.
Marshall, a social work major, said she was hopeful shewouldreceive a grant when she applied but never expected toreceiveasmuch as she did.
“I can’t believe I received the highest amount for this scholarship,” Marshall said.“Ithas strengthened my faith, especially given the really stressfultimeswe’re livingindue to thepandemic. Adjusting to the prospects of a new normal has really been a lot.”
The scholarship, named for Luther VandrossJr.andhismother, Ida, is awarded annually to upperclassmen enrolled inundergraduate programs at HBCUs. Vandross was anR&Bartistwith a careerthatspanned fivedecades,sellingover25millionrecordsand winning eightGrammy Awards.
Marshall is grateful for the award and says the financial assistance for her undergraduate degree will assistherin saving forgraduateschoolwhere she plans to pursuea master’s degree in social work.
“This scholarship represents hope and the beliefthatyoungpeople,likemyself,shouldcontinue to dream and strivetowardour goals. I am so excited to be the recipient of such an amazing award and the vision behindit,” said Marshall.
Dr.Judith D. Crocker Billingsley,assistant professorof Social Work, wrote the letter of recommendation for Marshall and was taken aback when she heard the high amount of the award.
"‘Are you serious?’ I asked," said Billingsley, remembering when she had been told. “‘Oh my goodness,ithad to be about the letter of recommendation.’"
Marshall appliedbecauseshe wanted toshowcaseherskills and work effort as well as to minimize the cost of education so shewouldnot be bogged downindebtwhen she leavesschool.
While at Johnson C. Smith, Marshall has been a leader inhermajor, serving as an executive producer of media activities for the 2020 celebration of“Marchis Social Work Month” andindeveloping student-driven projects withinhercoursework including a faculty, staff and student celebritybasketballgame. She also led the Social Work Club in arecordnumber offundraisingopportunities for the Dorothy I. Height Social Work Scholarship Fund.
Though proud ofheraccomplishments, Marshall is most proud of having had the opportunity to intern with theCongressionalBipartisanHBCU Caucus, working alongside Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) andRep.FrenchHill (AR-12).
Marshall says the BSW program at JCSU is tough at times, but she is thankful to have relationships with her professors because their support has been the key to her success. After graduate school, she plans to be a traveling social worker, hoping to travel the world while applying the knowledge she has gained from her education.
