WS Chronicle

The local branch of the NAACP awarded five $1,000 scholarships to deserving students last week during the organization’s Freedom Fund Gala held at the Anderson Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University. 

The Freedom Fund Gala is the local branch’s biggest fundraiser and directly supports scholarship efforts. Since 2018, the Winston-Salem NAACP has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships. To be considered for the scholarship students had to submit a written essay, letters of reference, show success in the classroom, leadership, and a record of community service.

This year’s scholarship recipients are: Cameron Adams, Marcelo Blackwell, Caman Chaplin, Brandon Sutton, and Michael “MJ” Mullins Sr. 

*Adams maintained a 4.0 weighted GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, and served as vice president of the Health Occupation Club of America (HOSA) at Walkertown High School. Adams also volunteers in the community tutoring at-risk youth. This fall Adams will be attending UNC-Greensboro majoring in nursing.

*Blackwell held a 3.9 weighted GPA, is a member of the Rotary Club, the orchestra and the track & field team at Glenn High School. Blackwell also volunteers at the Vineyard Summer Camp. This fall Blackwell will attend UNC-Greensboro and major in international business. 

*Chaplin will graduate from West Forsyth High School with a 4.0 weighted GPA. He also participated in the Dual Enrollment Program at Forsyth Technical Community College, National Honor Society, Crosby Scholars, Key Club, and Black Achievers. Chaplin was also a member of the football and track & field teams. This fall Chaplin will attend Fayetteville State University with aspirations of becoming an engineer.

*Sutton maintained a 4.0 GPA while participating in the National Honor Society, Crosby Scholars, football and track & field at East Forsyth High School. This fall Sutton will attend Wofford College where he plans to major in business administration. 

*Mullins participated in the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Finance Academy and Crosby Scholars and maintained a 3.9 GPA. He was a member of  both the football and basketball teams at East Forsyth. Mullins also volunteers with local football camps and the Reading Buddies program at W.R. Anderson Recreation Center. This fall Mullins will attend Winston-Salem State University where he plans to major in sports management. 

For demonstrating excellence in the classroom and in the community, Mullins also received the Rev. Dr. Carlton A. Eversley Award. The award is named in honor of the late Rev. Dr. Calton Eversley, who was a life-long member of the NAACP and known throughout the community for his activism. 

The keynote address during the Gala was delivered by Dr. Jack Monell, a Provost Fellow and Associate Professor of Justice Studies at Winston-Salem State University. With over 28 years of experience working in criminal justice, social work and human service under his belt, Dr. Monell is known throughout the country for his research on Afro Latin youth and their families, Black masculinity, pop culture and delinquency paradigm shifts.  

Monell’s address was centered around the theme, “Back to the Future.”  With protests happening on college campuses across the country, and a push to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) framework, Monell said there is an attack against education and it’s up to us to do something about it. 

He said while many across the country are pushing for things to go back to a time where discrimination and prejudices were the lay of the land, those who believe in justice and equality should go back, too. Back to the times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and local legend Larry Little, a time when  individuals weren’t afraid to stand up and challenge the status quo. 

And that was Monell’s challenge to the large crowd gathered at the Anderson Center last Friday night. “I stand on the shoulders of giants, Dr. Simon G. Atkins, Dr. King, Malcolm X, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Larry Little,” he said.   

“I challenge you to challenge the status quo. We have to pay attention, we have to continue to be informed, we have to continue to fight. We still haven’t reached the mountain top yet … don’t get too comfortable. The goal is to ensure that we lift as we climb and we help those behind us.”

Sponsors for the Freedom Fund Gala included Judge Whit Davis, Food Lion, Mt. Moriah Outreach Center, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Winston-Salem State University Foundation. 

The Winston-Salem Chapter NAACP prides itself in ensuring political, educational, social and economic equality for minority citizens of Forsyth County. If you would like to make a donation to the Winston-Salem Chapter NAACP or to its scholarship fund to continue to help with the economic mobility of the youth and citizens of Forsyth County, please contact the office at 336-767-3470 or visit http://naacpws.org/.