GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS 2024 SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
AWARDS CEREMONY
ELEVATE: SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024
WELCOME
It’s my distinct pleasure to welcome you all to the 2024 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.
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 to 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 2024 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 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
2024 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS | 41st ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
ELEVATE: SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS
Mistress & Master of Ceremony
Welcome
Introduction of Scholars
Introduction of Program Participants
Ms. Jewel Jeffries, 2017 GSS Alumnus (5 min)
Fayetteville State University
Mr. Maurice Grier, 2018 GSS Alumnus
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Mrs. Aisha Strothers, Executive Director (3 min)
Greater Steps Scholars
2024-25 New and Returning GSS Scholars (4 min)
Mr. Dee Rankin, Voiceover
2024-25 GSS Program Participants (3 min)
Introduction of Graduates 2024 GSS Graduates (10 min)
Endowed Scholarship Awards
Graduate Speaker
Closing Remarks
OUR PROGRAM 2024
Charles and Dorothy Earp Scholarship (6 min)
Carole Ann Hoefener Scholarship
The Levine Foundation Scholarship
Samuel Lerner Scholarship
Willard & Virginia Gourley Scholarship (3 min)
Walk It Like I Talk It Scholarship, Still I Rise (3 min)
Land on Top Scholarship (3 min)
Jalen C. Moxley Scholarship of Academic Excellence –Chris Moxley (3 min)
Daikwon Redfearn, 2024 GSS Alumnus (5 min)
North Carolina Central University
Dr. John T. Crawford, Founder (5 min)
Greater Steps Scholars
GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
MAURICE GRIER
CO-HOST
JEWEL JEFFRIES
2024 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS GRADUATES
JULISSA ALVAREZ
Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Journalism
Clark Atlanta University
SHAZARIA HOOVER
Bachelor of Art Art Education
Appalachian State University
JAMAICA BLUEFORT
Bachelor of Science
North Carolina A&T State University
2024 GREATER STEPS
YARISVET ESTEVEZ
Bachelor of Science Nursing
Western Carolina University
TALAISHYA FUNDERBURK
Bachelor of Science Business Administration
UNC Greensboro
Bachelor of Science Social Work
UNC Greensboro
HANNAH LEATHERS
Bachelor of Science Geography
UNC Chapel Hill
ERICA HUGHES
SCHOLARS GRADUATES
FAITH MOORE
Bachelor of Science Political Science
UNC Greensboro
ANTWANETTE SMALLS
Bachelor of Science Biology
Winston-Salem State University
Bachelor of Science Criminology
North Carolina Central University
AJIA STRICKLAND
Bachelor of Science Pre-Law
North Carolina A&T State University
DYMOND YOUNG
Bachelor of Science Business
North Carolina A&T State Universit
DAIKWON REDFEARN
2024 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS
2024 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS
Andrea Aguirre >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina State University
Zoee Andrews >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Spelman College
Lashawn Audrey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Wesleyan College
Tysun Austin >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Greensboro College
Tamia Barber >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Chapel Hill
Jada Boyd >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
Nailah Brewer >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro
Antonio Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte
De’Metrius Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University
William Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University
ZiYonna Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte
Zoe Brown >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University
Destinee Clark >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Livingstone University
Efuru Cole-Brewer >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
Donyea Coleman >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lake Erie College
Atalia Cooper >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte
Ciarra Covert >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
Jordan Covert >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte
Zonte (Malique) Davis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> East Carolina Univerity
2024 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS
Dasia Dixon >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson C. Smith University
Asher Fermin >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wingate University
Brian Fulwiley >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University
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
Na'Kayla Hamilton >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University
Me'Ashia Hicklen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Cappella University
Essence Hopkins >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> East Carolina Univerity
TaMerra Howell >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro
Vivian Hower >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Winston-Salem State University
Tiana Hubbard >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro
Eric Hughes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Benedict College
Devanae Humphrey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro
Soukhena Hunter >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
Aniya Johnson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson C. Smith University
2024 GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS
Mashayla Lide >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
Jayden Locklear >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte
Amare'e Maple >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Elizabeth City State University
Breanna Miller >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Elizabeth City State University
Alana Murray >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro
Kimberly Nelson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Charlotte
Jakayla Newby >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina Central University
Mckenzie Pinnix >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
Tyquan (TK) Rankin >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Johnson C. Smith University
Astrid Ramirez Campos >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Rocky Mountain College of Design
Elijah Rice >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
Bethlehem Seyoum >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> New York University
Kamilya Strickland >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
Asheaunte Tate >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro
Madison Tucker >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> North Carolina A&T State University
E'Mari Walker >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Southeastern University
Ayrion Williams >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UNC Greensboro
Kamiya Wright >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clark Atlanta Unive
2024-25 PROGRAM RECIPIENTS
GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS
• Khaliq Ameer-Bey
• Nathaniel Bailey
• Jaimee Barr-Raynor
• Abriana Berry
• Laila Belton
• 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
• D'maru Hill
• Ky asia Jefferson
• Alicia Jones
• Lamareanna Jones
• Trekenya Lewis
• Jordan Linton
• Ariel Martin
• Tianna Moore
• Akia Morrison
• Danasha Nesbitt
• Caleb Ottong
• Isangobong Ottong
• Dontavious Pegues
• Zachary Perry
• Jairen Propst
• Chatika Ross
• Jameka Russell
• Trebion Russell
• Ava Sanders
• Kamaiyah Smith
• Brandon Snowden
• Honor (Marcus) Swinton
• Jakiya Tillman
• Jessiah Tillman
• Saniya Turner
• Jaron Whack
• Jakeenen whitmire
• Ayanna Williams
• Ayriah Wiliams
DAIKWON REDFEARN
2024 GRADUATE SPEAKER
2024-25 CHARLES AND DOROTHY EARP SCHOLARSHIP
ASTRID
Must be recipients of the Greater Steps Scholarship Fund
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
KHALIYAH GRANT
RAMIREZCAMPOS
ALANA MURRAY
MCKENZIE PINNIX
AUSHEAUNTE TATE
KAMIYAH WRIGHT
JAYDEN LOCKLEAR AYRION WILLIAMS
TAMERRA HOWELL
DEVANAE HUMPHREY
CIARRA COVERT
2024-25 WILLARD & VIRGINIA GOURLEY SCHOLARSHIP
Must be recipients of the Greater Steps Scholarship Fund
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
ESTELLA GETHERS
DAVIS
ASHER FERMIN
NA’KAYLA HAMILTON
2024-25
BRIAN FULWILEY
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
2024 JAYLEN C. MOXLEY SCHOLARSHIP FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Electrical Engineering
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)
The Jaylen C. Moxley Scholarship was founded by Christopher B. Moxley, a Greater Steps Scholars Alum who grew up in the Dillehay Courts community. He was determined to beat the odds and never allowed the would-be trappings of my environment to limit his reach and ambition.
The scholarship is named in honor of Chris’ son and was created as a stepping stone for economically disadvantaged incoming UNC Charlotte freshmen.
The recipient must be an entering freshman at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and demonstrate outstanding commitment to volunteering in the community. Preference is given to a Greater Steps Scholars recipient and first-generation college student. The scholarship award is $1,000.
JAKAYLA NEWBY
ANTONIO BROWN
DR. JOHN T. CRAWFORD
GREATER STEPS SCHOLARS FOUNDER
CLOSING REMARKS
2024 CAROLE ANN HOEFENER SCHOLARSHIP
2024 LAND ON TOP SCHOLARSHIP
2024 SAMUEL LERNER SCHOLARSHIP
2024 WALK IT HOW YOU TALK IT
Spelman College
E’MARI WALKER
ZOEE ANDREWS
BRIAN FULWILEY
HISTORY
41 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.
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 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 985 scholarships totaling over $4.6 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 colleges and 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, Central Piedmont Community College, and the Art Institute of Charlotte. 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 41-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.”
2024 GREATER STEPS FUNDRAISING & ADVISORY BOARD
• Cecil Burrowes, Chair Wells Fargo
• Marcus Kornegay, Immediate Past Chair Novant Health
• Lori Bequette Wake Forest University
• Chantelle Bynum Wells Fargo
• Will Carrouthers Wells Fargo
• Scottie Harris LPL Financial
EMERITUS MEMBERS
John T. Crawford
Greater Steps Scholars Founder Civic Leader (Emeritus Member)
• Evodie Kayembe Centene Corporation Greater Steps Scholars Alumni
• Curtis Morgan Idealist.org
• David Singletary Subsalt
• Dorothy “Dottie” Stowe INLIVIAN Resident Representative - Ex-Officio
• Sheila Weaver GSS Selection Committee Rep - Ex-Officio
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 Nettle
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
John Richards Wells Fargo Advisors (Emeritus Member)
80 MILLION $4.6
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