2023 Greater Steps Scholars Awards Ceremony

Greater Steps Scholars Annual Awards Ceremony

LEGACY:

40 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

WELCOME.

It’s my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to the 2023 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, Legacy, was chosen to celebrate our 40th Anniversary AND acknowledge the 1,000 scholars whose lives have been impacted by Greater Steps Scholars since 1983. Many GSS alumni have honored GSS Founder Dr. John T. Crawford’s legacy by sharing their time, talents, and treasure to GSS - contributing financially, becoming mentors to current GSS scholars, and creating scholarships of their own to help the next generation.

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 relationship with them both.

Welcome to the 2023 Greater Steps Scholars Scholarship Fund Awards Ceremony

Education is key to improving one’s economic mobility. A student’s zip code should not dictate their future, nor should it determine who they will become. 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 2023 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 on 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 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

LEGACY: 40 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

2023 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

40th ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

Mistress of Ceremony

Welcome

Processional of Recipients

Introduction of Graduates

GSS Graduate Speaker

Endowed Scholarship Awards

Ashley Mitchell

Mrs. Aisha Strothers, Executive Director, Greater Steps Scholars

2023 GSS Recipients

2023 GSS Graduates

Unique Patton

Charles and Dorothy Earp Scholarship

Carole Ann Hoefener Scholarship

Tiara Adams

Willard & Virginia Gourley Scholarship

Lisa Warren

Samuel Lerner Scholarship

Dr. Julie Lerner Levine

The Leon Levine Foundation Scholarship

Land on Top Scholarship

Walk It Like I Talk It Scholarship

DeAnna Turner

Flag Ceremony Procession

Closing Remarks

Greater Steps Scholars Alumni

Dr. John T. Crawford, Founder

Greater Steps Scholars

MISTRESS OF CEREMONY

ASHLEY MITCHELL

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO

2023 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

JULAIZA ALVAREZ

Bachelor of Arts TELEVISION, RADIO & FILM Clark Atlanta University

LAIKYN BERRY

Bachelor of Science PSYCHOLOGY

North Carolina A&T State University

ZAHREKA BYNUM

Bachelor of Arts MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

North Carolina A&T State University

TAVARYA COVINGTON

Bachelor of Science BIOLOGY

Winston-Salem State University

TIM’ESHA HALL

Bachelor of Science SOCIOLOGY

St. Augustine’s University

DUROJAHYE HAMILTON

Bachelor of Arts CRIMINAL JUSTICE

North Carolina A&T State University

2023 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

KATIMAH IRVING

Bachelor of Science HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT

North Carolina A&T State University

JANASIA JEFFRIES

Bachelor of Arts HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT

Winston-Salem State University

TYREKE KING

Bachelor of Science EXERCISE & SPORTS SCIENCE

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Bachelor of Science ARCHITECTURE

Florida A&M University

TAI-NYIIZHEA

Bachelor of Science PSYCHOLOGY and SOCIOLOGY

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

TYREONNA MEDLIN

Bachelor of Science

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

ACCOUNTING

North Carolina A&T State University

JAYZA LOWRY

MCGILL

2023 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

TYRA MURRAY

Bachelor of Science

NURSING

North Carolina Central University

ALEX NAVARRO

Bachelor of Science CIVIC ENGINEERING

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UNIQUE PATTON

Bachelor of Arts DESIGN STUDIES BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

North Carolina State University

OLIVIA RICE

Bachelor of Science

PUBLIC HEALTH

Appalachian State University

MOHAMED SAFADI

Bachelor of Science

MATHMATICS FOR BUSINESS

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

BINIYAM SIMA

Bachelor of Science

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

North Carolina State University

2023 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES

LAWRENCE STEVENS

Bachelor of Arts

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

JORDAN WILLIAMS

Bachelor of Science

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTING

East Carolina University

MAZZANI WILLIAMSON

Bachelor of Arts

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Voorhees University

2023 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Andrea Aguirre >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina State University

Julaiza Alvarez >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta University

Zoee Andrews >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Spelman College

Lashawn Audrey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Wesleyan College

Tysun Austin >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Greensboro College

Laila Belton >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University

Abriana Berry >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lander University

Jamaica Bluefort >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Lauryn Bluefort >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Appalachian State University

Nailah Brewer >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

De’Metrius Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University

ZiYonna Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Zoe Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University

Destinee Clark >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Livingstone College

Efuru Cole-Brewer >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Donyea Coleman >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lake Erie College

2023 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Jordan Covert >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Malique Davis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> East Carolina University

Dasia Dixon >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson C. Smith University

Yarisvet Estevez >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Western Carolina University

Brian Fulwiley >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University

Talaishya Funderburk >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Estella Gethers >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Valdosta State University

Deangelo Gladden >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Khaliyah Grant >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Western Carolina University

Dyamond Grate >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Niyla Guy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Makyra Hamilton >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta University

Shazaria Hoover >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Appalachian State University

Essence Hopkins >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> East Carolina University

TaMerra Howell >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Vivian Hower >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University

Tiana Hubbard >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Erica Hughes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Devanae Humphrey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Soukhena Hunter >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Aniya Johnson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson C. Smith University

Hannah Leathers >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Amare’e Maple >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Elizabeth City State University

Breanna Miller >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Elizabeth City State University

2023 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

Faith Moore >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Tianna Moore >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Alana Murray >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Kimberly Nelson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Dontavious Pegues >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Coastal Carolina University

Zachary Perry >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University

Astrid Ramirez Campos >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Daikwon Redfearn >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University

Adreanna Reece >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Elijah Rice >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Jameka Russell >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University

Bethlehem Seyoum >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New York University

Antwanette Smalls >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University

Erica Hughes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Brandon Snowden >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> St. Andrew’s University

Ajia Strickland >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Kamilya Strickland >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

Asheaunte Tate >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Madison Tucker >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

E’Mari Walker >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Southeastern University

Ayanna Williams >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Ayrion Williams >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Dymond Young >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University

2022-23

GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

PROGRAM RECIPIENTS

• Khaliq Ameer-Bey

• Nathaniel Bailey

• Jaime Barr-Raynor

• Lauryn Bluefort

• Nikiya Boyd

• Jadlyn Brown

• Persona Brown

• Tyreonna Brown

• Tychovia Chapman

• Quaonna Chavis

• Azariah Davis

• Lailah Derios

• Cerena Falls

• Cierra Falls

• Chloe Gloston

• Joshua Grier

• Jahmeek Harper

• Kobe Harris

• Me’Ashia Hicklen

• D’Maru Hill

• Ky Asia Jefferson

• Alicia Jones

• Lamareanna Jones

• Trekenya Lewis

• Jordan Linton

• Elijah Mackey

• Akia Morrison

• Danasha Nesbitt

• Isangobong Ottong

• Alfredo Perez

• Jairen Propst

• Chatika Ross

• Trebion Russell

• Ava Sanders

• Kamaiyah Smith

• Honor (Marcus) Swinton

• Jakiya Tillman

• Saniya Turner

• Jaron Whack

• Jakeenen Whitmire

• Ayriah Williams

2023 ENDOWED 2024 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

2023 CHARLES AND DOROTHY EARP SCHOLARSHIP

• Must be a Greater Steps Scholars scholarship recipient.Must be enrolled at an accredited four-year college or university.

• Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

• Must demonstrate financial need.

• There will be 10 students receiving this scholarship in 2023.

2023 CAROLE ANN HOEFENER SCHOLARSHIP

• Must be a Greater Steps Scholars scholarship recipient.

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

• Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

• Must demonstrate financial need.

• Preference will be given to nominees who have expressed a career interest in architecture or a related field.

2023 LEON LEVINE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

• Must be a Greater Steps Scholars scholarship recipient.

• Must demonstrate outstanding community service.

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

• There are 4 students receiving this scholarship in 2023.

2023 WILLARD & VIRGINIA GOURLEY SCHOLARSHIP

• Must be a Greater Steps Scholars scholarship recipient.

• Must be a racial minority.

• 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.

2023 LAND ON TOP SCHOLARSHIP

• Must be a Greater Steps Scholars scholarship recipient.

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

• Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

• Must have overcome a major obstacle or setback, yet persevered.

2023 WALK IT LIKE I TALK IT SCHOLARSHIP

• Must be a Greater Steps Scholars scholarship recipient.

• Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale

• Preference given to male West Charlotte High School graduates.

• Selected and awarded by Still I Rise Scholars.

2023 SAMUEL LERNER SCHOLARSHIP

• Must be a Greater Steps Scholars scholarship recipient.

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

• Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

• Must demonstrate unmet financial need.

GRADUATE SPEAKER

UNIQUE PATTON

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

BACHELOR OF ARTS

DESIGN STUDIES

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

CLOSING REMARKS

DR. JOHN T. CRAWFORD

GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS

FOUNDER

40 YEARS

HISTORY

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.

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.

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 imagine allowing this young man’s chances for a brighter future to be derailed – he himself had come from a family that was rich in spirit but struggled financially, so any opportunity to help someone in need was second nature. He and a friend pooled their resources and helped the student return to school and knew there were hundreds of other students who were residents of public housing and had the same limited financial resources.

This experience made it clear that this young man’s burden of limited financial resources was shared by hundreds of otherwise talented students who happened to be residents of public housing. As a result, Dr. Crawford decided to create Greater Steps Scholars to ensure that these youth could have a permanent source of support for their educational pursuits. With the help of several advisors and community members, Dr. Crawford and his colleagues raised $64,990 to establish

Greater Steps Scholars and assisted 16 students with funding for their college education in the fall of 1984 - officially launching GSS. Since 1984, GSS has awarded 1,000 scholarships totaling over $4.4 million in funds.

The work of GSS has been made possible through a dynamic partnership between Foundation For The Carolinas, the Greater Steps Scholars Advisory Board, and INLIVIAN. Funding for scholarships is made possible by contributions from individuals, churches, foundations, corporations, and other community groups. No federal, state, or county funds are received for scholarships.

Greater Steps Scholars have attended over 80 post-secondary institutions, including the University of North Carolina system schools, Johnson C. Smith University, Queens University of Charlotte, Winthrop University, Howard University, Spelman College, Wake Forest University, Duke University, and Central Piedmont Community College. Degrees earned include mechanical engineering, computer science, medicine, accounting, psychology, business management, and social work. 92% of recipients are first in their families to attend college.

With a 40-year legacy, John Crawford remains optimistic about the future of the scholarship fund and the continued success of its recipients. “Education is the key to positive life outcomes, especially for underserved kids,” he notes. “When I first wanted to start the scholarship fund, I remember being told that it was a nice idea but that I’d never get very far. Over the years, I have enjoyed proving the naysayers wrong.”

2023 GREATER STEPS FUNDRAISING & ADVISORY BOARD

• Marcus Kornegay, Chair | Novant

• Cecil Burrowes, Vice Chair | Wells Fargo

• Skip Tappy, Immediate Past Chair

• Lawrence Belton, Jr. | Ally Bank

• Lori Bequette | Wake Forest University

• Chantelle Bynum | Project Management

• Will Carrouthers | Oportun

• Scottie Harris | LPL Financial

EMERITUS MEMBERS

• Evodie Kayembe | Centene Corporation, Greater Steps Scholars Alumni

• Curtis Morgan | Idealist.org

• Kondra Rattley | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

• David Singletary | Subsalt

• Dorothy “Dottie” Stowe | INLIVIAN Resident Representative - Ex-Officio

• Sheila Weaver | GSS Selection Committee RepEx-Officio

>>> 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 Mentor Coordinator Greater Steps Scholars

Mr. Maurice Grier Program Coordinator Greater Steps Scholars

Mr. Jonathan Nettles Youth Services Program Manager 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

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