MANASOTA ASALH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMs

The Manasota Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) proudly awarded $45,000 in scholarships to 17 outstanding students from Manatee and Sarasota counties during its annual scholarship awards ceremony, held on May 24, 2025. This effort is part of the organization's ongoing commitment to supporting the educational success of students in the region.

Now in its latest cycle, the Manasota ASALH Scholarship Program supports high school seniors and college students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, community involvement, and a dedication to pursuing higher education. In addition to these new awards, Manasota ASALH continues its support of recurring scholars, allocating an additional $10,000 to students currently enrolled in higher education institutions. This sustained support helps ensure long-term academic success and degree completion for returning students.

To date, Manasota ASALH has awarded more than $701,000 in scholarships to 333 students in the Sarasota and Manatee region—a powerful testament to the organization's mission to advance educational equity and opportunity.

Jada Wright-Greene, Executive Director of Manasota ASALH, emphasized the importance of this initiative for the community’s future. “This scholarship program is a direct investment in our youth,” said Wright-Greene. “By supporting their educational paths, we are helping to build a stronger, more equitable community. These students represent hope, progress, and the enduring legacy of excellence.”

The scholarship program is led by Harriet Cowan, Scholarship Committee Chairman, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in guiding and mentoring students throughout their academic journeys. “We are not only awarding scholarships—we are investing in futures,” said Harriet Cowan. “Our goal is to walk alongside these students as they navigate college and career, offering encouragement, resources, and a strong support network.”

The 17 new recipients received individual awards to support their studies at accredited colleges, universities, and vocational institutions. Many are pursuing fields such as education, engineering, medicine, and science. This impactful program is made possible through the generous support of local donors, sponsors, and community members who believe in the power of education to transform lives.

Sixteen talented and deserving graduates were awarded scholarships at the Manasota ASALH, Inc. (Association for the Study of African American Life and History) 24th Scholarship Program on May 25th, 2024. These outstanding scholars were honored in a ceremony held at the Betty J. Johnson Library. It was well attended by ASALH board members, members, scholarship recipients, and guests. Also honored were the three graduating seniors who have been the recipients of the Cheryl Watkins Snead Scholarship since their sophomore year in college.

The scholars, graduating from Sarasota and Manatee High Schools, will be furthering their education at several prestigious universities such Duke University and Spelman College, as well as universities throughout the state of Florida. Over $645,000 has been given to more than 335 students since the inception of the ASALH Scholarship Program. 

The ASALH Scholarship Committee, composed of nine members from professional backgrounds led by Harriet Cowan, Committee Chairperson, prompted the students to introduce themselves and speak about their college plans and future goals. The guest speaker for the ceremony was Ms. Carol Hall. She shared information about her life and travels and gave students many useful strategies for college success. Finally, Tiona Settles, a 2012 ASALH Scholarship recipient currently employed at Centerplace, Sarasota, spoke to the graduating seniors regarding her career experience and expectations for incoming college freshmen.

Sixteen talented and deserving graduates were awarded scholarships at the Manasota ASALH, Inc. (Association for the Study of African American Life and History) 23rd Scholarship Program on May 27, 2023. These outstanding scholars were honored in a ceremony held at the Betty J. Johnson Library. All but two of the recipients attended with their family and friends.

The scholars, graduating from Sarasota and Manatee High Schools, will be furthering their education at several prestigious universities such as Harvard, John Hopkins University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and universities throughout Florida. In addition to these scholars, $12,000 will continue to be awarded to the rising seniors who have been the recipients of the Cheryl Watkins Snead Scholarship Fund since their sophomore year in college. Over $540,000 has been given to more than 290 students since the inception of the ASALH Scholarship Program. 

The ASALH Scholarship Committee, composed of eight members from professional backgrounds led by Harriet Cowan, Committee Chairperson, prompted the students to introduce themselves and speak about their college plans and future goals. The guest speaker for the ceremony was Ms. Sherry Suggs. She shared information about her life and travels and gave students ten useful strategies for college success. Finally, Chloe Sebiro, a 2022 ASALH Scholarship recipient currently at Meharry Medical College Summer Institute, spoke to the graduating seniors via Zoom regarding expectations for incoming college freshmen.

We are enormously grateful to all our donors who have continued to demonstrate generosity by contributing to our “360 Plan” to fund our 2022-2023 Program, which was renamed the Phyllis White Fund in honor of Phyllis White, a long-standing ASALH active member. We owe gratitude to the Amica Company, which contributed $10,000 from our grant request, supporting the three Snead students finishing their junior year. In addition, the Joan Byrd annual ASALH Scholarship Fund has been created in memory of Joan Byrd, one of the first Manasota ASALH members. We continue to be thankful to Danny Lynch, who has donated $5,000 each year for the past seven years in memory of his sister, Patricia Lynch-Pepin by establishing the Patricia Lynch-Pepin Scholarship fund. We are so grateful to Bernice Giscombe, who established the Gary Giscombe fund to honor the memory of ASALH’s Vice President, who passed away in 2022. Because of these funds and the caring generosity of several donors, for the first time, ASALH can start a renewable scholarship award for a deserving student. We thank everyone for your support to keep our scholarship program viable!

Fourteen talented students were awarded scholarships at the Manasota ASALH, Inc. (The Association for the Study of African American Life and History) scholarship program on May 21, 2022. These deserving scholars were honored in a ceremony held at the Betty J Johnson Library. Some of the recipients were in attendance with their families and others participated in the awards ceremony on Zoom. Scholars graduating from Sarasota and Manatee High Schools will be furthering their education at several prestigious schools such as Yale, Harvard, Duke, The Ringling School of Art & Design as well as Universities throughout the state of Florida. Since the inception of the program, over $500,000 has been granted to more than 275 students. The Scholarship Committee, composed of 8 members from professional backgrounds led by Harriet Cowan committee chair, prompted the students to introduce themselves and speak about their college plans and future goals. Detective Dominic Harris was the guest speaker. He praised the students and impressed upon them the need to be responsible citizens as they pursue their goals.

With the support of the President of the Manasota Branch, David G. Wilkins, Esq., and the entire Executive Board , a campaign drive "Closing the Gap" provided the funding for students to receive this year's awards.  Generous multi-year contributions have also been received from the estate of Patricia Lynch-Pepin, and her brother Danny Lynch, in memory of his sister, a dedicated and tireless volunteer with the Friends of the North Sarasota Public Library. Also, in 2017 new ASALH members Morrie and Quincy Tharps and family  made a generous pledge of $10,000 to the ASALH Scholarship Fund in honor of his late brother, Vernon Tharps. Since the 2000  school year, Manasota ASALH has awarded over $500,000 in college scholarships to 283  Sarasota and Manatee Counties students.    The KBR Foundation was founded by the late Margaret Dole Rust in 1992. The Foundation was principally established to provide funds to assist disadvantaged children, to support health and medical facilities and to continue to provide assistance to the various types of charitable beneficiaries that Mrs. Rust generously supported during her lifetime. Since 2019, this Foundation has generously donated $27,500 to the ASALH Scholarship Fund. We are forever grateful to the KBR Foundation for their donations.