2016 Scholarship Recipients
Chyasia Blake of Jamaica, New York, graduated from Excelsior Prep High School. This fall she will be attending Hampton
University, majoring in Public Relations. Professionally, as a Public Relations specialist, she will be responsible for designing communication campaigns, writing press releases, speeches and handling the appropriate media protocols.
On a personal level, she wants to be a catalyst for a paradigm shift in the negative perception that many in the world hold of the African American community. Chyasia, along with other like-minded individuals, would strive to design media campaigns to show the African American youth and the world, the many positive aspects of African American culture and contributions to our global society.
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Sydney Gordon of St Albans, New York, is a graduate of St. Francis Preparatory High School. As a student she passionately participated in various community service programs, which included: working in soup kitchens and pantries, mentoring elementary students, fundraising and collecting clothing for the less fortunate.
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Sydney is currently a a junior at SUNY Buffalo State College, carrying a dual major in Hospitality and Tourism, with a concentration in Hotel Management and Public Relations. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Residence Hall Association (RHA). In this role, her primary responsibility is to "create a home away from home," for students living in the dormitory at Buffalo State.
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Sydney's professional goal is to become the General Manager of a luxury hotel in "The City of Lights," Las Vegas.
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Autumn Leslie of Brentwood, New York, graduated from St. John the Baptist High School. During her time as a student in Brentwood, she was very active volunteering for the dance team and church organizations. As a youth minister, she was the choreographer for the dance team, and was the first youth in her church to be named chairperson for The Annual Women's Day Program. Autumn is extremely proud that in 2014, she was named recipient of The Mary McLeod Bethune Youth of the Year Award for her community service and academic excellence by the National Council of Negro Women.
This fall, Autumn will attend St. John's University as a Pre-Med major. Her life aspiration is to continue to improve her community while serving as a model citizen.
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Taj Trenton Anthony Johnson graduated from Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School with an Advanced Regents Diploma and a Distinction in Community Service. A freshman at SUNY Buffalo, he is pursuing a career in mathematics as an Educator.
An exceptional pianist, Taj participated in the Summer Jazz Institute at Skidmore College as a rising High School senior. He played in the York College Blue Notes and NYC Department of Education All-City Jazz Ensemble. He taught instrumental music at a community college prep program and volunteered at CYCSA, creating math and music lesson plans. Taj represented his high school in the Brooklyn Philharmonic Instrumental Competition, completing NYSSMA Level 6 for piano and achieving a near perfect score.
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Rosa Jones graduated from The Stony Brook School in May 2016, with an Honors Diploma. She was a true student athlete, earning the position of Captain on the Boy's Golf Team and competing at the Boy's County Conference Championships. Rosa was also Co-Captain of the Girl's Track Team, where she competed in the 200 meter, 400 meter and 800 meter events, as well as the 4x100 meter relay and distance Medley Teams.
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Rosa is a young woman of fine character who reaches out and contributes to our community through participation in Junior Golf Camps and Clinics, serving not only as a Junior Instructor, but also as a role model for other African American and Latina girls to follow.
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Rosa is currently attending Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire and is majoring in Health Sciences. She hopes to pursue her dream of becoming an Anesthesiologist, where she feels she can give back to the community and enrich the lives of patients as a medical Professional.
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Christopher Wilson of Jamaica, New York, graduated from Holy Cross High School. This Fall he will be attending the University of New Haven, majoring in Computer Engineering. He looks forward to advanced studies abroad to develop his analytical and people skills, as well as gaining knowledge about Computer Engineering from a global perspective. He realizes the computer field is ever changing, therefore, he must remain extremely knowledgeable and competent in all new technological advances in the field.
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Christopher's ultimate goal is to design and develop new software and hardware which will improve the quality of life for humanity.
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