Black History Committee raises more than $50,000 for student scholarships
Mar 22, 2021
More than two dozen students at Houston Community College will receive scholarships to help fulfill their college goals because of the more than $53,000 raised by the Black History Committee at its 2021 scholarship celebration.
The figure represents the largest amount raised for college scholarships by the Black History Committee in its 16-year history.
“Words cannot begin to express how proud and delighted we are to have secured more than $50,000 for college scholarships during a pandemic and tight economic times,” says Black History Committee co-chair Donnell Cooper. “But our donors know the need is real and they responded.”
“We know people saw the quality and sincerity of the program, and recognized how well our past scholarship recipients expressed their gratitude for receiving a Black History Scholarship,” says Black History co-chair Fheryl Prestage. “We believe these factors – and many others – contributed to the event’s success.”
The HCC Black History Scholarship Celebration featured KPRC veteran meteorologist Khambrel Marshall as its keynote speaker. The one-hour fundraiser was livestreamed February 25 via KPRC’s online website: click2Houston.com.
"The fundraising success of the 2021 Black History Committee Scholarship Celebration will yield tremendous impact for HCC students seeking to climb the ladder of economic success,” says Ryan McCauley, HCC Foundation Board Vice Chair of Fundraising and Board Chair-Elect. “We congratulate the Committee members for their dedicated commitment and extend our gratitude to the donors who so generously provided support on behalf of HCC student success."
The celebration’s theme – Knowledge is Power – was expertly reflected upon by Marshall, who spoke of his own family’s experience with a cross burning in Arkansas City, Arkansas in 1961. Marshall’s family of well-respected African-American educators, he suggested, posed a real threat to the powers that be in this small town and needed to be sent a message. The family remained undeterred in their educational mission and continued to teach hundreds of students in local schools, Marshall said.
Hosted by veteran event announcer Karl “King Motivator” Mayes, the HCC Black History Scholarship Celebration also featured the poet Se7en, past scholarship recipients, State Senator Borris Miles, HCC Chancellor Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC Board Vice Chair Dr. Reagan Flowers, HCC employees and BHC committee members.
The 11-member Black History Committee, an affinity group of the HCC Foundation, gives special thanks to KPRC’s Vice President & General Manager Jerry Martin and the KPRC marketing and production team for providing support of the scholarship fundraiser, and the HCC Foundation for its ongoing partnership and encouragement.
To view the event or to make a donation, please go to: www.hccs.edu/blackhistory or https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/BHS2021