PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

  • 2023 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

    To our 2023 FECDC Scholarship Recipients, Congratulations on your scholastic achievements. Your hard work and perseverance during such trying times is commendable. We are excited to be a part of your journey and wish you well in your future endeavors.

    Barbara Bigelow Memorial Scholarship
    Olivia Powell, Woodward Academy
    Olivia Grace Powell is a graduate of Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia and is the daughter of Richard and Muriel Powell. She is actively involved in several organizations including: the Fayette County Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc and Girl Scouts of America for 12 years. She is also a Youth Lifetime Member of the NAACP having previously served as a Committee Chair. At Woodward Academy, Olivia's accomplishments have included receiving the Gold Eagle Award for high academic achievement, being inducted into The Richard B. Thrower National Honor Society, being selected as Junior Class Homecoming Queen, Varsity Cheerleading and a school track record holder in multiple events. She was also selected as Outstanding Female Athlete during the 2021 Southeastern Region Teen Conference and is a Gold Medal Junior Olympic National Winner in the 100 Hurdles. Olivia will attend The Ohio State University on an athletic scholarship majoring in a pre-medicine discipline and plans to become a Surgeon.

    FECDC
    Kelsey Willingham, Westlake High School
    Kelsey Willingham graduated from Westlake High School in Atlanta Ga. Her interests include but are not limited to reading, volunteerism, playing basketball, running track, and curating sneakers to sell on the ever-expanding sneaker collectible websites. She also is a proud member of The Allen Temple AME Church. Kelsey won the Westlake High School ACT Achievement Award, she was recognized by the College Board as an African American Recognition SAT Award Recipient in 2022, she received the Westlake High School Academic Stellar Award, and St. John Fisher Service Scholar Award in 2023 and Kelsey will graduate in the Top 10% of her Graduating Class of 2023. One highlight of her high school years was a trip to Selma, Alabama in March of 2022 where she participated in the march to commemorate Bloody Sunday, March for Freedom. Additionally, Kelsey takes pride in her service role as a volunteer at the Banneker High School S.A.F.E. Center Food Distribution Pantry.

    Kelsey is a member of two State Championships and one National Championship Girls Basketball Team at Westlake High School. She will be majoring in Sociology and Law at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. Kelsey’s professional goal is to create and maintain systems of advocacy for the poor and working-class citizens in her community by implementing laws and policies that will better foster the mission of such systems.

    Pota Estel Coston Memorial Scholarship: 1
    Munachiso Okeke, Whitewater High School
    Munachiso Okeke is a recent high school graduate of Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, GA. He is thrilled to further his education at Columbia University as he will be majoring in Biochemistry. His passion for science and desire to contribute to the field has been a driving force throughout his academic career. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is an active member of the community.

    Munachiso’s goal is to use his education in Biochemistry to make a difference in the world by becoming a neurosurgeon. He is particularly interested in researching new treatments for diseases and disorders that significantly impact society. With the knowledge and skills that he will gain from Columbia, he is confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the field of Biochemistry.

    Pota Estel Coston Memorial Scholarship: 2
    Chayla Cooley, Whitewater High School
    Chayla Cooley was born in Chicago, Illinois, and lived there for 7 years until she relocated to Fayetteville, Georgia with her family to be closer to her grandfather who was ill. She currently works at a bakery that sells delicious cupcakes where she can fulfill her love for baking. As a scholar-athlete, Basketball has been a huge factor in her life for almost 10 years now. Chayla played recreation basketball in elementary school and played for her middle school basketball team. She played all four years in high school and was appointed co-captain her senior year.

    Growing up in metro Atlanta, Chayla alone with her sisters would tag along with their parents when they went to tour and prospect houses. Touring the homes nudged her curiosity and ignited her interest in architecture. Chayla attended architecture summer camps, downloaded computer programs, and started creating her own floor plans that would allow her to create buildings and designs of her own. Chayla plans to become an architect and add to the 0.4% of licensed architects that are Black women.

    Johnson Family Scholarship
    Jaivyn Beauford, Sandy Creek High School
    Jaivyn graduated from Sandy Creek High School with a 4.0 GPA. She was in the top ten percent of her class and received numerous honors for her commitment to academic excellence and advocacy. Jaivyn represents one percent of Georgia high school students as a 2022 Governor’s Honors Program finalist along with being named a Posse State Finalist. Her academic excellence earned her acceptances into the National Beta Club, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Mu Alpha Theta along with being recognized each year as an honor student since entering Sandy Creek High School in the ninth grade.

    Jaivyn currently serves as a Brown Girls Do Ballet Ambassador. She also serves as a National Ambassador for the National Society of High School Scholars and is the 2021 and 2022 Gold Medalist for the Atlanta Branch NAACP Afro-Academic Technological Scientific Olympics. Jaivyn is the founder of DanceShoez, a program initiative that empowers young dancers. Jaivyn currently holds the title of Miss Georgia HBCU Teen, The People’s Choice Award Winner and 1st Runner Up to the national title of Miss HBCU Teen.

    She will attend Johnson C. Smith University in the Fall as a James B. Duke Presidential Scholar and plans to major in Biology Pre-Health and minor in Dance.

    Johnson & Freeman, LLC Scholarship
    Jessica Hicks, Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy
    Jessica Anastasia Hicks is a graduate of Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy. Jessica received many honors and achievements such as being recognized for serving as an inspiration for the rights and abilities of all girls during a Fulbright Service-Learning Project in Malawi Africa. She was selected as the 2022 Positive Athlete of Georgia recipient in swimming and soccer, 2021 Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) Semi-finalist in Social Studies, 2022 Young Georgia Author Award, Atlanta Public Schools recipient and 2022 REEX Scholarship Award recipient at New York University for a summer design project in Brooklyn.

    She plans to attend Hampton University and major in International Relations and Global Psychology with aspirations of wanting to serve as an international development consultant or Advisor and support international organizations such as government agencies, nonprofits, and private corporations as they assist developing countries and communities around the world.

    Kid Care Pediatrics/ We Care Pediatrics
    Alana Gulley, Westlake High School
    Alana Gulley recently received her International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from Westlake High School’s Magnet Program, with a 4.0 GPA. She was a high performing scholar and talented musician and recognized academically as one of the top 5 % of high school seniors in the state of Georgia. She balanced a rigorous academic course load (Advanced and IB courses), Westlake Marching Band practices/performances, serving the community, and part-time work as a lead service agent at a local grocery store.

    Alana has received recognition as Westlake High School Top 25, Georgia Merit Scholar, Principal’s Honor List, Star Student, National Honor Society, Beta Club and President of the Science National Honor Society. Over the past several years, Alana participated in Fulton County’s Junior District Attorney Program, Justice Robert Benham Law Program and actively volunteers with United Way of Greater Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity, and with Partnering Under Real Situations Everyday (P.U.R.S.E) foundation which was established to put a stop to teen dating violence. She has developed an increased interest in public policy and behavioral health, which has led to her professional interest in becoming a Forensic Psychologist. Alana will attend Howard University with a major in Psychology.

    Robert J. Holmes Memorial Scholarship
    Storm Chavis, Hapeville Charter Career Academy
    Storm Maddison Chavis is an Honors Scholar who recently graduated from Hapeville Charter Career Academy in Hapeville, Georgia, she was in the top 10% of her graduating class. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Club, Student Government Association, the Math & Yearbook Clubs, and the Soccer team Manager. Storm served as a Class President during high school and an ambassador for school programs and events.

    Storm was recently presented as a Debutante in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s East Point/College Park Alumnae Chapter’s Jabberwock Cotillion, where she earned multiple financial scholarships as its Miss Jabberwock 1st Runner-Up. Storm is also a participant in the chapter’s GEMS program and a recipient of its Book Stipend Scholarship.

    Storm enjoys serving her community as a volunteer at the Atlanta Community Food Bank among other non-profit and civic organizations and enjoys working at the Villages at Carver Family YMCA.

    Storm is a 5 Strong Foundation Scholar and a recipient of the foundation’s full 4-year tuition-free scholarship to the historic Fort Valley State University. She plans on becoming a registered nurse and will be a part of the university’s inaugural nursing school program. Storm is also a State of Georgia HOPE Scholar.

  • 2022 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

    To our 2022 FECDC Scholarship Recipients, Congratulations on your scholastic achievements. Your hard work and perseverance during such trying times is commendable. We are excited to be a part of your journey and wish you well in your future endeavors.

    Alexander Rivera Nevarez (Liesa Johnson Family Scholarship)
    Graduate, South Atlanta High School
    Alexander Rivera Nevarez is a 2022 graduate of South Atlanta High School in Atlanta, GA. While at South Atlanta he was a peer leader in The Dukes Foundation, an Atlanta based non-profit youth mentoring services organization whose mission is to ‘serve, provide tools, opportunities, and support to help at-risk young men dream, achieve, and become healthy successful adults.’ Alexander credits The Dukes Foundation for providing him a solid foundation in communication, teamwork and leadership, which has garnered him several awards and acknowledgements. He is a first generation college student, being the 1st person in his family to attend college and is attending Georgia State University majoring in Film and Media.

    Charity Cloud (FECDC Foundation Scholarship)
    Graduate, Whitewater High School
    Charity Cloud is a graduate of Whitewater High School, in Fayetteville, GA. She will be attending Oglethorpe University studying Business Administration this fall. Charity will begin her college career as a member of the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels Women’s Basketball Team, having been named the Most Positive Athlete in Girls Basketball for the State of Georgia. She enjoys creating pajamas and loungewear for, DreamCloud Sleepwear, a company she and her sister formed together. Charity also enjoys giving back to her community through her family’s non-profit organization, Dreams of Lois Inc., a mentor group for young girls and women who have lost their mothers to cancer, disease, accidents, and other tragedies.

    Elise Copeland (Pota Costen Memorial Scholarship)
    Graduate, Whitewater High School
    Elise Copeland is a 2022 graduate of Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, GA where she was a four-time member of the Whitewater Varsity Volleyball team, First-Team All-Region, All-County Team, Georgia All-State Team, Georgia All-Star Team, AVCA Under Armor All-America Watchlist, four-time Scholar Athlete and Junior of the Year. Elise was also a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Social Studies National Honor society, English National Honor Society and Key Club. She is currently a freshman, Chemistry major, at Georgia State University, in Atlanta, Georgia, with plans to pursue a medical degree specializing in orthopedic medicine.

    Jacob Robertson (Asthma Action Hero APP / KidCare Pediatrics Scholarship)
    Graduate, Tucker High School
    Jacob Robertson is a May 2022 Dual Enrollment Program graduate of Tucker High School in Tucker, GA. He was a member of the Tucker Tigers Varsity Soccer Team and recently completed a summer program at Morehouse College for students in tech. He is currently a freshman, Computer Science major, at Howard University in Washington DC, on a partial scholarship. Jacob plans to enter the technology field upon graduation as a computer programmer or software engineer, eventually forming his own company to encourage youth in STEM.

    Maria Sneed (Barbara Bigelow Memorial Scholarship)
    Graduate, Westlake High School
    Maria Sneed is a 2022 graduate of Westlake High School in South Fulton, GA. She is a member of the 21st Century Leaders in Healthcare and IT Leadership Development Institute Program, a healthcare-focused residential leadership development program at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. Maria was certified as a community health worker through the Morehouse School of Medicine Community Health Workers Training Program, and attended Brain Camp at Auburn University, an interactive camp for rising juniors and seniors in high school. AUBC offers the rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience in neuroscience –with an unprecedented opportunity for campers to map their own brain using state-of-the-art functional magnetic resonance imaging. Maria is currently a freshman at Howard University in Washington, DC, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After college, her goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatrician.

    Tracy Guo (Edward Jones Scholarship)
    Graduate, McIntosh High School
    Tracy Guo graduated from McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, GA. White at McIntosh Tracy was Vice President of the Unity Project, a student-led volunteer club that strives to unite students within the community. Through the Unity Project, she helped alleviate hunger at Midwest Food Bank, helped with dog adoptions and funds for animal rescues at Fayette Humane Society, cleaned up the city with Keep Peachtree City Beautiful, preserved land with Southern Conservation Trust, supported veterans with Healing 4 Heroes, and spread civic engagement with the NAACP. Tracy also initiated the “Kindness Matters” project to spread positivity and kindness in the community. She is currently a first-year Mathematics major with a concentration in Probability and Statistics and a Business Option at The Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) in Atlanta, Georgia.

    Julianne York (Edward Jones Scholarship)
    Graduate, Whitewater High School
    Julianne York is a 2022 graduate of Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, GA, where she was on the all A’s honor roll from 9th-12th grade. Julianne was a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, recipient of the Beta Club Medallion and a member of the Executive Board for the Class of 2022. While attending Whitewater, Julianne was also Vice-President of Marketing and an award winning member of DECA, placing 1st in the Region, 2nd, 3rd, and 9th in the State, and qualifying twice for the International Competition. Julianne’s countless hours of community service are her way of honoring her late mother, who passed away of complications from M.S. She volunteers as a coping mechanism hoping to inspire others to channel their emotions through service in the community. Julianne will continue her education at The Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) in Atlanta, Georgia.

2024 FECDC Scholarship Application

OPENS SOON!


AWARD REQUEST PROCESS

Recipient:
Scholarship:
Amount:

 The amount of the award will be disbursed in the Fall or Spring semester based on financial need.

Send Request to:
The Fortitude Educational and Cultural Development Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 764
Red Oak, GA 30272

Once you have enrolled in the educational institution of your choice, please provide your student identification number and the name and mailing address of the appropriate school financial affairs officer. This information should be sent to the post office box listed above. The award is payable to the school for educational expenses and is not disbursed to the student. A check will be forwarded to the appropriate office in your name.

Should you have questions or require additional information, email President@fecdc.com or scholarships@fecdc.com

Again, congratulations and much success to you in your future endeavors!