Six Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati area students were awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Lincoln/William Grant Scholarship Foundation based on their academic achievements and financial needs. Three of the students honored are Covington natives, with two graduating from Holmes and one from Holy Cross.
The Lincoln/William Grant Legacy Scholarship is awarded to two students of high academic promise and financial need who are descendants of former Lincoln-Grant School students, faculty or staff.
The Lincoln-Grant School provided elementary and secondary education to African-American students in Covington. The high school school closed in 1965, but continued to operate as an elementary school until 1976.
“Those students, we honored them to receive not only the scholarship, but they were provided with a plaque and some information about our foundation, and really a link to us for future contact to tell them that if they ever have any further needs,” said Rev. Richard Fowler, board member of the scholarship foundation. “Perhaps they could give us a call and we will see how to assist them in navigating through the college system, and also to get assistance in some of the areas that they needed.”
That event took place on July 16 in the lobby of the former Lincoln-Grant School, which is now the local Scholar House. Parents and friends were present to watch as the recipients received plaques acknowledging their status, as well as other gifts provided by members of the foundation.
The scholarship foundation began in 2017. It has expanded in recent years, now honoring up to six students with three different scholarships.
In 2018, the Dr. Nancy C. Riley Walton Memorial Scholarship Award was introduced. This scholarship does not require a biological connection to a prior Lincoln-Grant School constituent. Two of these $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually.
The Charles F. James, Sr. Fund was also added to give the foundation’s portfolio more financial resources for scholarship applicants. The fund awards two $1,000 scholarships annually. The fund is also available to students who are not descendants from Lincoln-Grant attendees.
“Our intent is to grow so that eventually, we can pay for the entire school year with funding, which is our target objective to grow to,” Fowler said. “In addition to that, eventually we want to give recipients backpacks that include a laptop and some other items to help them navigate through school as well.”
Mickala Davis, a Covington native and graduate of Holmes High School, will attend the University of Kentucky in the fall. She received the Dr. Nancy C. Riley Walton Memorial Scholarship Award.
Jy’Asian Hill is a Covington native and graduate of Holy Cross High School. Hill received the Lincoln/William Grant Legacy Scholarship Award and will attend Northern Kentucky University in the fall.
Alaynah Johnson is a Covington native and graduate of Holmes High School. Johnson received the Lincoln/William Grant Legacy Scholarship Award and will attend the University of Louisville in the fall.
