2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS 39th ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

2022 VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

JULY 31ST | 4PM

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

WELCOME.

It’s my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to the 2022 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, Endurance & Strength, was chosen to highlight our Scholars’ perseverance as they navigated and overcame obstacles in the pursuit of their post-secondary education. Their commitment to crossing the finish line has been nothing short of inspiring and energizing. Despite the challenges, we are truly amazed 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.

Education is key in improving one’s economic mobility. A student’s zip code

Welcome to the 2022 Greater Steps Scholars Scholarship Fund Awards Ceremony

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 2022 graduates – Congratulations! You inspire us to continue the work we do. You have persevered and crossed one more finish line! As you begin your next chapter, remember that we expect you to build upon the Greater Steps Scholars’ legacy by providing leadership in your community

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

and by paying it forward to help another student who is standing in your

(704) 973-4567 www.greatersteps.org

Thank you again for joining us and enjoy the program!

shoes. To our new and current student recipients, I am pleased to see you all working hard and excelling. Well done and keep up the good work.

Mrs. Aisha Strothers Executive Director Greater Steps Scholars

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OUR PROGRAM ENDURANCE & STRENGTH

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2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS 39th ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY Ohavia Phillips

Welcome

Mrs. Aisha Strothers, Executive Director, Greater Steps Scholars

Processional of Recipients

2022 GSS Recipients

Introduction of Graduates

2022 GSS Graduates

GSS Graduate Speaker

Rebecca Leathers

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CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

Mistress of Ceremony

Endowed Scholarship Awards

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GSS 2021-22 Students of The Year

Special Message

Charles and Dorothy Earp Scholarship Carole Ann Hoefener Scholarship The Levine Foundation Scholarship Willard & Virginia Gourley Scholarship Land on Top Scholarship Ohmar Land Walk It Like I Talk It Scholarship Johnesha Truesdale Jalen C. Moxley Scholarship of Academic Excellence Chris Moxley Samuel Lerner Scholarship Tansen Ajmera Scholarship Dimple Ajmera

GSS 2021-22 Freshman Student of The Year GSS 2021-22 Sophomore Student of The Year GSS 2021-22 Junior Student of The Year GSS 2021-22 Senior Student of The Year

Dr. John T. Crawford, Founder Greater Steps Scholars

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

2022 VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

PARTNERS AND FUNDERS

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2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

CEREMONY HOST

OHAVIA PHILLIPS MULTIMEDIA MAVEN, ACTIVIST AND SERVEFLUENCER

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

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2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

QUWAMEE BELL

DELICIA BOST

Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education

Bachelor of Science Exercise Science

North Carolina Central University

NILAJA BROWN-ROBERTS Bachelor of Arts Political Science

Saint Augustine’s University

North Carolina A&T State University

D’AMANI BRYANT

DEMARQUES DANIELS

JAHNIYAH FRANCOIS

Bachelor of Science Health System Management

Bachelor of Liberal Arts Music Education

Bachelor of Arts Nursing

University Of North Carolina at Charlotte

Jackson State University

North Carolina Central University

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

DAIMOYA GRAVES

ASPARROW HARGRO-COLE

AALIYAH Q. HATCHER

Bachelor of Arts English Literature

Bachelor of Science Criminolgy

North Carolina Central University

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Wingate University

TYQUON JACKSON

ADORE K. KNIGHT

REBECCA LEATHERS

Bachelor of Science Business Management & Leadership

Bachelor of Arts Strategic Legal Management Communications

Bachelor of Science Business & Enterprise Management

Pfieffer University

Howard University

Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education

Wake Forest University

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2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

CALEB QUARLES

SHERELLE ROBINSON

TRE’SHONDA SANDERS

Bachelor of Science Culinary Arts

Bachelor of Arts Pre-Law

Bachelor of Arts Social Work

Johnson & Wales University

North Carolina A&T State University

Livingstone College

ARAONA T. WALKER

NYASIA WILDER

Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Science Marketing

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Winston Salem State University

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

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2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Andrea Aguirre>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina State University Julaiza Alvarez>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta University Julissa Alvarez >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta University Khaliq Ameer-Bey>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson C. Smith University Lashawn Audrey>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Wesleyan College Nathaniel Bailey>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wingate University Abriana Berry>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Edward Waters University Laikyn Berry>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Jamaica Bluefort >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Lauryn Bluefort >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Appalachian State University De’Metrius Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University Tyreonna Brown>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Florida A&M University ZiYonna Brown>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte Zoe Brown>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University Zahreka Bynum >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Destinee Clark>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Livingstone University Efuru Cole-Brewer>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Jordan Covert >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte Tarvarya Covington >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston Salem State University Zonte (Malique) Davis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> East Carolina University Lailah Derios >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte Yarisvet Estevez>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Western Carolina University Cerena Falls>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wingate University Talaishya Funderburk>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Estella Gethers>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Valdosta State University

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2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Deangelo Gladden>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Dyamond Grate>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Niyla Guy>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Tim'Esha Hall>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> St. Augustine's University Durojahye Hamilton>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Makyra Hamilton>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta University Me'Ashia Hicklen>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> College of Health Sciences D'maru Hill>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Livingstone University Shazaria Hoover>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Appalacian State University TaMerra Howell>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Tiana Hubbard>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Erica Hughes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Devanae Humphrey>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Katimah Irving>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Janasia Jeffries>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University Tyreke King>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Pembroke Hannah Leathers >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Chapel Hill Jordan Linton>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Jayza Lowry>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Florida A&M University Amare'e Maple>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Elizabeth City State University Tai-Nyiizhea McGill >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Tyreona Medlin >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Breanna Miller>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Elizabeth City State University Faith Moore>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Tianna Moore >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Alana Murray>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Tyra Murray>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NC Central University Alex Navarro >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte Unique Patton >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina State University Dontavious Pegues >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Carolina Coastal University Astrid Ramirez Campos >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte Daikwon Redfearn>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NC Central University Adreanna Reece>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Elijah Rice >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Olivia Rice>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Appalacian State University Jameka Russell>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University Mohamed Safadi >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte Bethlehem Seyoum >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New York University Biniyam Sima>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina State University Antwanette Smalls>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University Lawrence Stevens>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte Ajia Strickland >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Kamilya Strickland>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University Asheaunte Tate >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Saniya Turner>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro E'Mari Walker >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Southeastern University Ayanna Williams >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte Ayrion Williams>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro Jordan Williams>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> East Carolina University Mazzani Williamson>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Voorhees College Dymond Young >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

2022-23 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

PROGRAM

RECIPIENTS

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

• Mahlet Abera

• Elijah Mackey

• Jaimee Barr-Raynor

• Akia Morrison

• Nikiya Boyd

• Kimberly Nelson

• Desire Boykin

• Danasha Nesbitt

• Jadlyn Brown

• Isangobong Ottong

• Persona Brown

• Deandre Pendergrass

• Tychovia Chapman

• Alfredo Perez

• Quaonna Chavis

• Jairen Propst

• Azariah Davis

• Gabrielle Randle

• Cierra Falls

• Chatika Ross

• Chloe Gloston

• Trebion Russell

• Miracle Green

• Ava Sanders

• Joshua Grier

• Kamaiyah Smith

• Jahmeek Harper

• Honor (Marcus)

• Kobe Harris

Swinton

• Ky Asia Jefferson

• Jakiya Tillman

• Alicia Jones

• Jaron Whack

• Lamareanna Jones

• Jakeenen Whitmire

• Trekenya Lewis

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING FINISH LINE AND REWARD FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OFTHE TRIALS, TRIUMP 16 FOCUSED

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GRADUATE SPEAKER

REBECCA LEATHERS WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT

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2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

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2022-23 CHARLES AND DOROTHY EARP SCHOLARSHIP

ABRIANA BERRY

JAMAICA BLUEFORT

YARISVET ESTEVEZ

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Edward Waters University

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Western Carolina University

DUROJHYE HAMILTON

TAI-NYIIZHEA MCGILL

TYREONA MEDLIN

FAITH MOORE

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Must be recipients of the Greater Steps Scholarship Fund Must be enrolled at an accredited four-year college or university

ALANA MURRAY University of North Carolina at Greensboro

2022

LAIKYN BERRY

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

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

2022-23 WILLARD & VIRGINIA GOURLEY SCHOLARSHIP

UNIQUE PATTON

MALIQUE DAVIS

North Carolina State University

East Carolina University

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

ESTELLA GETHERS

BETHLEHEM SEYOUM

Valdosta State University

New York 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

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

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2022

2022-23 THE LEON LEVINE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Must be recipients of the Greater Steps Scholarship Fund Must demonstrate outstanding community service

AYRION WILLIAMS

NIYLA GUY

LASHAWN AUDREY

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

North Carolina Wesleyan College

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)

ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING FINISH LINE AND REWARD FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OFTHE TRIALS, TRIUMP 20 FOCUSED

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JORDAN COVERT University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2022 WALK IT LIKE I TALK IT SCHOLARSHIP 2022 JAYLEN C. MOXLEY SCHOLARSHIP FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

2022 CAROLE ANN HOEFENER SCHOLARSHIP 2022 LAND ON TOP SCHOLARSHIP

2022 SAMUEL LERNER SCHOLARSHIP 2022 TANSEN AJMERA SCHOLARSHIP

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JAYZA LOWERY

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

DEANGELO GLADDEN North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

ASHEAUNTE TATE University of North Carolina at Greensboro

BINIYAM SIMA North Carolina State University

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2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING FINISH LINE AND REWARD FORWARD >>> A CELEBRATION OFTHE TRIALS, TRIUMP 22 FOCUSED

SPECIAL MESSAGE

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DR. JOHN T. CRAWFORD GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS FOUNDER

2022

2022 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

2022 STUDENTS OF THE YEAR 2021-2022 FRESHMAN STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2021-2022 SOPHOMORE STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2021-2022 JUNIOR STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2021-2022 SENIOR STUDENT OF THE YEAR

TAMERRA HOWELL The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

FAITH MOORE The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

UNIQUE PATTON North Carolina State University

DELICIA BOST Saint Augustine's University

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

HISTORY 39 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.

2022 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 39-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 985 scholarships totaling over $4 million in funds.

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ENDURANCE & STRENGTH >>> CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

2022 GREATER STEPS FUNDRAISING & ADVISORY BOARD •

Mr. Marcus Kornegay, Chair

•

Mr. Scottie Harris

•

Mr. Skip Tappy, Immediate Past Chair

•

Mrs. Brenda Hayden

•

Mr. Jackson Price, Secretary

•

Mr. Evodie Kayembe

•

Mr. Lawrence Belton, Jr.

•

Mr. Curtis Morgan

•

Mrs. Lori Bequette

•

Ms. Kondra Rattley

•

Ms. Chantelle Bynum

•

Mr. David Singletary

•

Ms. Meredith Dean

•

Mrs. 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

Ms. Kim Roseboro

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 Greater Steps Scholars