2021 Greater Steps Scholars Scholarship Fund Awards Ceremony

2021 VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

AUGUST 1ST | 4PM

2

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

WELCOME.

It’s my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to the 2021 Greater Steps Scholars’ Annual Award Ceremony. I feel very privileged and honored to be here to acknowledge the achievements of our extraordinary scholars and graduates. Thank you to our scholars, alumni, board members, donors, and community partners for tuning in today. Thank you to our sponsors for your investment in our scholars.

This year’s theme, Focused Forward, was chosen to highlight the obstacles our scholars have had to overcome that threatened to steal their dreams of a post-secondary education. I think we can all agree it’s been an interesting year, and our Scholars’ perseverance and commitment to their education has been nothing short of inspiring and energizing. Despite how difficult and challenging this past school year has been, we are amazed every day by our students tenacity.

The work of the Greater Steps Scholars has been made possible due to a long-standing partnership between INLIVIAN and Foundation for The Carolinas. Both entities have come together to help us transform lives as we work to break the cycle of poverty through access to higher education, social capital, and career training. We are deeply grateful for our relationships with them both.

Welcome to the 2021 Greater Steps Scholars Scholarship Fund Awards Ceremony

Education is key in improving one’s economic mobility. A student’s zip code should not dictate their future. The investment we make in the education of our students through scholarships, mentoring and career-readiness workshops will give our students the tools needed to be successful as well as to help reverse generations of inequity in Charlotte and the nation.

To our 2021 graduates – Congratulations! You inspire us to continue the work we do. You have faced obstacles but have focused forward on the

Greater Steps Scholars 220 N. Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202

future. You have persevered and proved resilient. As you go out into the world, we expect you to build upon the Greater Steps Scholars’ legacy by providing leadership in your community and by paying it forward to help another student who is standing in your shoes. To our new and current

(704) 973-4567 www.greatersteps.org

student recipients, I am pleased to see you all working hard and excelling.

Well done and keep up the good work

Thank you again for joining us and enjoy the program!

Mrs. Aisha Strothers Executive Director Greater Steps Scholars

›››

OUR PROGRAM A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

Occasion

Ms. Onica Baker, 2002 GSS Alumnus Winston-Salem State University

Welcome

Mrs. Aisha Strothers, Executive Director, Greater Steps Scholars

Processional of Recipients

2021 GSS Recipients

Introduction of Graduates

2021 GSS Graduates

GSS Graduate Speaker

Ms. Emmanuella Dogbe-Tsogbe, 2021 GSS Alumna East Carolina University

Academic Achievers

Mr. Millard McCluney, Youth Services Program Manager, INLIVIAN

Endowed Scholarship Awards

Charles and Dorothy Earp Scholarship Carole Ann Hoefener Scholarship The Levine Foundation Scholarship

GSS Graduate Speaker

Mr. Jaire Clarida, 2021 GSS Alumnus North Carolina A&T University

Endowed Scholarship Awards

Samuel Lerner Scholarship Mrs. Julie Lerner Levine

021

FOCUSED FORWARD

3

›››

GSS Graduate

Speaker

Willard & Virginia Gourley Scholarship Mrs. Lisa Gourley Warren Tansen Ajmera Scholarship Mrs. Dimple Ajmera, City Council At-large Representative City of Charlotte Land on Top Scholarship Dr. Ohmar Land, 2001 GSS Alumnus Senior Director, CCS Fundraising Ms. Miracle T. Davis, 2021 GSS Alumnus North Carolina Central University

GSS 2021 Students of The Year

GSS 2021 Freshman Student of The Year GSS 2021 Sophomore Student of The Year GSS 2021 Junior Student of The Year GSS 2021 Senior Student of The Year

Closing Remarks

Dr. John T. Crawford, Founder Greater Steps Scholars

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMP AND REWARD

2021 VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

THANK YOU SPONSORS

›››

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

MISTRESS OF CEREMONY

ONICA BAKER

2002 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS ALUMNA CISCO SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

5

6

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

›››

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

JANET ALSAS

JAKAEL BENNETT

SABIYYA BROWN

Bachelor of Arts Journalism and Exercise Sports Science

Bachelor of Science Mass Communication

Bachelor of Arts Theatre

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

JAIRE G. CLARIDA

KIANTE J. COTTON

NI'REE CUNNINGHAM

Bachelor of Social Work Social Work

Bachelor of Social Sciences Recreation Administration Management

Bachelor of Science Forensic Science

North Carolina Central University

Fayetteville State University

North Carolina A&T State University

Emory and Henry College

›››

7

8

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

MIRACLE T. DAVIS Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice North Carolina Central University

EMMANUELLA DOGBE-TSOGBE Bachelor of Science Biology

JADA EASTERLING Bachelor of Science Health Systems Management The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

East Carolina University

KOFFI EGLOH

JASMINE FIELDS

A'YANA HUGHES

Bachelor of Science Health Systems Management

Bachelor of Science Exercise Sports Science

Bachelor of Science Business Administration

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Benedict College

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

›››

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

TARANIQUEWA JACKSON

CALEAF JONES

AMODSIW JZAR

Bachelor of Arts Pre Justice Studies

Bachelor of Science Biology

Winston Salem State University

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

SHIJA MCFADDEN

KAHRON MCNEIL

DES'RAE MITCHELL

Bachelor of Science Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Science Journalism and Mass Communication

Bachelor of Science Psychology and Sociology

North Carolina A&T State University

Jacksonville University

Bachelor of Science Psychology Lewis University

North Carolina A&T State University

›››

9

10

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

TAKYRA SHARÉ MOORE

MARIAH MORRISON

SHA-ASIA M. MURPHY

Bachelor of Arts Sociology

Bachelor of Arts Sociology concentration Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Arts Justice Studies

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Shaw University

Winston Salem State University

TAREK SAFADI

SATIVA TEMPLE

JONTE WILKES JR.

Bachelor of Science Biology

Bachelor of Business Administration Business Administration

Bachelor of Arts Exercise Science

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina Central University

Brevard College

›››

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

CURTIS WILLIAMS

DEMONICA WRIGHT

Bachelor of Science Information Technology

Bachelor of Science Business Administration

Winston Salem State University

Winston Salem State University

"Mute the negativity.

Replay the positivity.

Remember to live life by you."

- JAIRE G. CLARIDA ›››

11

12

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

›››

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Andrea Aguirre>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina State University Julaiza Alvarez>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta University Julissa Alvarez >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta University Erick Arrendell>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CPCC/EPCI Lashawn Audrey>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Wesleyan College Nathaniel Bailey>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wingate University Quwamee Bell>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University Abriana Berry>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Claflin University Laikyn Berry>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Jamaica Bluefort>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Lauryn Bluefort >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Appalachian State University Delicia Bost>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Saint Augustine's University Desire Boykin>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Queens University of Charlotte Jadlyn Brown>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Persona Brown>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shaw University Tyreonna Brown>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Florida A&M University Zoe Brown>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University Nilaja Brown-Roberts>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University D'Amani Bryant >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Zahreka Bynum >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Tychovia Chapman>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Quaonna Chavis>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Destinee Clark>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Livingstone College Tarvarya Covington >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University DeMarques Daniels >>>>>>>>>>>>>> ackson State University

13

14

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Azariah Davis>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson & Wales University Malique Davis>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> East Carolina University Lailah Derios>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Yarisvet Estevez>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Western Carolina University Cerena Falls>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wingate University Cierra Falls>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Fayetteville State University Jahniyah Francois>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Chamberlain University Talaishya Funderburk>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro Deangelo Gladden>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Daimoya Graves >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University Joshua Grier>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Tim'Esha Hall>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Saint Augustine's University Durojahye Hamilton>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Makyra Hamilton>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta University Asparrow Hargro-Cole>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Kobe Harris>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Aaliyah Hatcher>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wingate University Me'Ashia Hicklen>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ECPI University Shazaria Hoover>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Appalachian State University TaMerra Howell>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro Tiana Hubbard>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro Erica Hughes>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro William Ingram>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Aveda Arts and Science Institute Katimah Irving>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Tyquon Jackson>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pfeiffer University

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Janasia Jeffries>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University Alicia Jones >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Tyreke King >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Pembroke Adore Knight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Howard University Hannah Leathers >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Rebecca Leathers>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wake Forest University Trekenya Lewis>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University Jordan Linton>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Ashanti Lowery >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Jayza Lowry>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Florida A&M University Tai-Nyiizhea McGill >>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro Tyreona Medlin >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Breanna Miller>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Elizabeth City State University Faith Moore>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro Tianna Moore>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Akia Morrison >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Tyra Murray>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University Alex Navarro >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Kimberly Nelson>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lenoir Rhyne University Danasha Nesbitt>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University Unique Patton >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina State University Dontavious Pegues>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Coastal Carolina University Deandre Pendergrass>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Jairen Propst>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Caleb Quarles >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson & Wales University Astrid Ramirez Campos >>>>>>>>>>> Queens University of Charlotte

15

16

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Gabrielle Randle >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Daikwon Redfearn>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University Adreanna Reece>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro Olivia Rice>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Appalachian State University Sherelle Robinson>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Chatika Ross>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson C. Smith University Jameka Russell>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University Mohamed Safadi>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Ava Sanders>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Tre'Shonda Sanders>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Livingstone College Bethlehem Seyoum>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New York University Biniyam Sima>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina State University Antwanette Smalls>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University Kamaiyah Smith>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Divine Health Academy Lawrence Stevens>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Ajia Strickland >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Marcus Swinton>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Asheaunte Tate>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro Saniya Turner>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro Araona Walker>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Jaron Whack >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Jakeenen Whitmire>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Central Piedmont Community College Nyasia Wilder>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University Ayanna Williams>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte Jordan Williams>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> East Carolina University Mazzani Williamson>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Voorhees College Dymond Young >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2021-22 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

PROGRAM

RECIPIENTS

> Jadlyn Brown

> Persona Brown

> Tychovia Chapman

> Quaonna Chavis

> Joshua Grier

> Kobe Harris

> Ky’Asia Jefferson

> Alicia Jones

> Trekenya Lewis

> Akia Morrison

> Kimberly Nelson

> Danasha Nesbitt

> Jairen Propst

> Ava Sanders

> Kamaiyah Smith

> Marcus Swinton

> Jaron Whack

> Jakeenen Whitmire

17

FOCUSED FORWARD A CELEBRATION TRIALS, TRIUMPH REWARD FORWARD >>>>>> A CELEBRATION OFOF TRIALS, TRIUMP ANDAND REWARD 18 FOCUSED

GRADUATE SPEAKER

EMMANUELLA DOGBE-TSOGBE EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE BIOLOGY

›››

›››

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

19

2021-22 CHARLES AND DOROTHY EARP SCHOLARSHIP

FAITH MOORE

HANNAH LEATHERS

NYASIA WILDER

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Winston Salem State University

TYQUON JACKSON

BINIYAM SIMA

TYREONA MEDLIN

ERICA HUGHES

Pfeiffer University

North Carolina State University

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

2021

LAIKYN BERRY

Must be recipients of the Greater Steps Scholarship Fund

Must be enrolled at an accredited four-year college or university

DUROJHYE HAMILTON

NILAJA BROWN-ROBERTS

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

ANDREA AGUIRRE North Carolina State University

Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) Must demonstrate financial need

20

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

2021-22 THE LEON LEVINE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

OLIVIA RICE

JORDAN LINTON

D’AMANI BRYANT

Appalachian State University

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

ASTRID RAMIREZ-CAMPOS

ASHEAUNTE TATE

LASHAWN AUDREY

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Queens University of Charlotte

›››

YARISVET ESTEVEZ Western Carolina University

2021

Must be recipients of the Greater Steps Scholarship Fund Must demonstrate outstanding community service

Entering college freshmen must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative high school GPA and current college students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)

›››

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

21

LAILAH DERIOS

UNIQUE PATTON

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

North Carolina State University

2021

2021-22 WILLARD & VIRGINIA GOURLEY SCHOLARSHIP

›››

Must be recipients of the Greater Steps Scholarship Fund Must be a racial minority.

BETHLEHEM SEYOUM

MALIQUE DAVIS

New York University

East Carolina University

There will be 4 students receiving this scholarship – the rising senior, junior, and sophomore who received the scholarship last year, and an incoming college freshman

FOCUSED FORWARD A CELEBRATION TRIALS, TRIUMPH REWARD FORWARD >>>>>> A CELEBRATION OFOF TRIALS, TRIUMP ANDAND REWARD 22 FOCUSED

GRADUATE SPEAKER

›››

JAIRE CLARIDA NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK SOCIAL WORK

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2021 CAROLE ANN HOEFENER SCHOLARSHIP 2021 LAND ON TOP SCHOLARSHIP

2021 SAMUEL LERNER SCHOLARSHIP 2021 TANSEN AJMERA

›››

DEANGELO GLADDEN North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

BREANNA MILLER Elizabeth City State University

ADORE KNIGHT Howard University

NATHANIEL BAILEY Wingate University

23

FOCUSED FORWARD A CELEBRATION TRIALS, TRIUMPH REWARD FORWARD >>>>>> A CELEBRATION OFOF TRIALS, TRIUMP ANDAND REWARD 24 FOCUSED

GRADUATE SPEAKER

›››

MIRACLE T. DAVIS NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE CRIMINAL JUSTICE

2021

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2021 STUDENTS OF THE YEAR 2020-2021 FRESHMAN STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2020-2021 SOPHOMORE STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2020-2021 JUNIOR STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2020-2021 SENIOR STUDENT OF THE YEAR

ASTRID RAMIREZ-CAMPOS Queens University of Charlotte

BINIYAM SIMA North Carolina State University

REBECCA LEATHERS

Wake Forest University

JAIRE CLARIDA

North Carolina A&T State University

25

26

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

HISTORY 38 YEARS

Greater Steps Scholars (GSS), formerly the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, fights poverty by giving youth access to education. Our mission is to ensure that every child living in housing subsidized by INLIVIAN has the opportunity for the expectation of a college education.

GSS was designed to serve as a vehicle of hope for students – those under the age of 25 and living in INLIVIAN-managed residences – that have a desire to attend college or a technical/vocational school but lack financial means. In addition to offering up to five years of scholarships to our Scholars, our program also considers the entire picture of what a student needs to succeed. Through mentorship, focused workshops that teach career, financial and life skills; and activities that expose students to potential internship and career opportunities, we provide programming designed to inspire young people to work toward becoming independent and selfreliant citizens of the community. Nearly all of our Scholars are first-generation college students who have gone on to become successful attorneys, physicians, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, and business executives.

2021 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS HISTORY

OUR STORY BEGINS IN 1983 WHEN DR. JOHN CRAWFORD, A FORMER YOUTH SERVICES COORDINATOR AT INLIVIAN, WAS APPROACHED BY A YOUNG INLIVIAN RESIDENT WHO NEEDED $

300 TO BE ABLE TO RETURN TO COLLEGE FOR HIS SENIOR YEAR. Dr. Crawford could not

The work of GSS has been made possible through a dynamic

imagine

this

partnership between Foundation For The Carolinas, the

chances

Greater Steps Scholars Advisory Board, and INLIVIAN.

for a brighter future to

Funding for scholarships is made possible by contributions

be derailed – he himself

from individuals, churches, foundations, corporations, and

had come from a family

other community groups. No federal, state, or county funds are

that was rich in spirit

received for scholarships.

young

allowing man’s

but struggled financially, so

to

Greater Steps Scholars have attended over 75 colleges,

help someone in need

any

opportunity

including the University of North Carolina system schools,

was second nature. He

Johnson C. Smith University, Queens University of Charlotte,

and a friend pooled their

Winthrop University, Howard University, Spelman College,

resources and helped the student return to school and knew

Wake Forest University, Central Piedmont Community

there were hundreds of other students who were residents of

College, and the Art Institute of Charlotte. Degrees earned

public housing and had the same limited financial resources.

include mechanical engineering, computer science, medicine, accounting, psychology, business management, and social work.

This experience made it clear that this young man’s burden of

92% of recipients are first in their families to attend college.

limited financial resources was shared by hundreds of otherwise talented students who happened to be residents of public

With a 38-year legacy, John Crawford remains optimistic about

housing. As a result, Dr. Crawford decided to create Greater

the future of the scholarship fund and the continued success

Steps Scholars to ensure that these youth could have a permanent

of its recipients. “Education is the key to positive life outcomes,

source of support for their educational pursuits. With the help

especially for underserved kids,” he notes. “When I first wanted

of several advisors and community members, Dr. Crawford

to start the scholarship fund, I remember being told that it was

and his colleagues raised $64,990 to establish Greater Steps

a nice idea but that I’d never get very far. Over the years, I have

Scholars and assisted 16 students with funding for their college

enjoyed proving the naysayers wrong.”

education in the fall of 1984 - officially launching GSS. Since 1984, GSS has awarded 965 scholarships totaling over $4 million in funds.

27

28

FOCUSED FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OF TRIALS, TRIUMPH AND REWARD

2021 GREATER STEPS FUNDRAISING & ADVISORY BOARD • Mr. Skip Tappy, Chair

• Mrs. Ladreon Hare

• Mr. Marcus Kornegay, Vice Chair

• Mr. Scottie Harris

• Mr. Jackson Price, Secretary

• Mrs. Brenda Hayden

• Mrs. Lynn Leary, Immediate Past Chair

• Ms. Margaret Lynch

• Mr. Lawrence Belton, Jr.

• Mr. David Singletary

• Ms. Meredith Dean

• Ms. Dorothy “Dottie” Stowe

• Ms. Erica Frazier

• Mrs. Sheila Weaver

EMERITUS MEMBERS >>> Dr. John T. Crawford, Greater Steps Scholars Founder >>> Mr. John M. Richards

GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SUPPORT STAFF

Mrs. Aisha Strothers Executive Director Greater Steps Scholars

Mr. Gregory “Dee” Rankin Program Coordinator Greater Steps Scholars

Mr. Millard McCluney

Youth Services Program Manager INLIVIAN

Mr. Ryan Grace

Youth Outreach Specialist INLIVIAN

Ms. Qiana Austin

Vice President and Scholarships Program Officer Foundation For The Carolinas

Mrs. Edwenda Avery

Assistant Vice President of Scholarships Foundation For The Carolinas

Mrs. Carla McCrorey

Senior Scholarship Specialist Foundation For The Carolinas

THANK YOU

GreaterStepsScholars greaterstepsscholars greatersteps UCru8d_nVYUd17PxJ0O7jgjw