Congratulations, Harlem And Other Students Awarded Nearly Half Million In Scholarships

The UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Empower Me Tour (EMT) awarded nearly one million dollars in scholarships to New York area students who attended Saturday’s EMT at Hunter College in NYC.

Twelve of the winners were surprised with $5,000 on the spot. Ria Parker, a graduating senior at Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy, beamed with excitement when her named was called. “The EMT scholarship will give me opportunities to achieve my goals in my education, my career and in my personal life,” says Parker. “Many of us who go to public school don’t have to pay for books or tuition, we don’t even think about these costs. So, this scholarship will be extremely helpful as I work towards paying for tuition, books, a new laptop and other school supplies in college.”

Many of the winners represented schools from Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and New York City. The winners include, Britney Lacy, Benjamin Cardozo High School; Christelle Jean-Francois, Mother Seton Regional High School; Simone Mitchell-Smith, North Star Academy Washington Park High School; Olivier Kologo, Bronx International High School; Nathalie Arbelaez, Francis Lewis High School; Selden Tenzing, Newton High School; Nicole Guillen, Renaissance Charter High School for Innovation; Shawnia Yon, Talented Unlimited High School; Aliyah Mayers, Achievement First Brooklyn High School; Sokhna Sarr, International High School at Union Square and Justin Goris, Kipp NYC College Prep.

EMT is a free, traveling college-and-career-readiness roadshow that provides a platform for high school students to earn on-site scholarships and admission to the nation’s top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). UNCF is the largest scholarship provider to students of color in the United States, awarding more than $100 million annually in scholarships to more than 7,200 students across the country.

Through partnerships with the City of New York and local sponsors Colgate-Palmolive, Hunter College and national sponsors Wells Fargo, Target, P&G, The Walt Disney Company, and FedEx, UNCF’s Empower Me Tour offers the full college fair experience with access to recruiters from HBCUs, college prep workshops, dynamic presenters and award-winning educational experts.

New York is the first stop on the multi-city Empower Me Tour. Other cities include Milwaukee, WI; Fort Worth, TX; and Los Angeles, CA.

For more information, visit EmpowerMeTour.org. You can also follow EMT on social media @UNCF and #EmpowerMeTour.

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter, @UNCF and #EmpowerMeTour.

Photo credit: UNCF/ Tim Caver Left to Right: Britney Lacy, Benjamin Cardozo High School; Christelle Jean-Francois, Mother Seton Regional High School; Simone Mitchell-Smith, North Star Academy Washington Park High School; Olivier Kologo, Bronx International High School; Nathalie Arbelaez, Francis Lewis High School; Selden Tenzing, Newton High School; Justin Goris, Kipp NYC College Prep; Nicole Guillen, Renaissance Charter High School for Innovation; Shawnia Yon, Talented Unlimited High School; Sharon Murphy, Executive VP, Wells Fargo; Aliyah Mayers, Achievement First Brooklyn High School; Ria Parker, Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy; Sokhna Sarr, International High School at Union Square; Catherine Domenech, VP Community Affairs, Wells Fargo; and Eugene Kelly, VP Global Diversity & Inclusion, Colgate-Palmolive.