Across the country and in the Central Valley, we have beared witness to a series of events exposing the institutionalized violence and devaluation of life that this country and our communities has leveraged against Black people for hundreds of years. In response, we have witnessed not only vibrant and courageous shows of action in the form of protests and grassroots organizing, but also regrettable truths about racial injustice and anti-blackness that continue to plague all facets of our community - our homes, our schools, our economy, our healthcare, and our safety. These injustices are not new. They exist and have become normalized in American culture through bias, microaggressions, and more. They exist in the unjust killing of Black people by law enforcement, and they also exist in the absence of Black voices and leadership in education. 

 

Inclusivity is a paramount value within our organization, and our Black Student Scholarship is one example of how we are committed to supporting and creating spaces for Black students in the Central Valley. The Central Valley Scholars Black Student Scholarship recognizes exemplary Black students in the Central Valley who have faced obstacles due to biases, microaggressions, and systemic forms of oppression held against Black people in our education systems. Our scholarships are created with the central belief that every student is worth investing in and aim to choose recipients based on their identity, need, and potential for growth; aspects often overlooked by other educational institutions. The Black Student Scholarship invites vulnerability, encourages empowerment, and gives Black students in the Central Valley the space to validate their stories and find the beauty in their struggles.