Leaders in Social Justice


Posted on October 19, 2021
Lance Crawford


From left: Priscilla Agyemang, Kennedy Reese and Amiyah Kelly have been awarded the first Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship established by the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile. data-lightbox='featured'
From left: Priscilla Agyemang, Kennedy Reese and Amiyah Kelly have been awarded the first Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship established by the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile.

Three seniors are the first recipients of the Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship awarded to students who demonstrate leadership, a commitment to social justice and perseverance characteristics.

Priscilla Agyemang, Amiyah Kelly and Kennedy Reese are this year鈥檚 winners. 

鈥淭he name of the scholarship motivated me to apply since social justice is something I care about,鈥 said Agyemang, an Honors College senior majoring in sociology. 鈥淚 was very excited and grateful when I found out that I had won.鈥

Agyemang and Kelly are roommates, both plan to attend medical school after completing their undergraduate studies and Kelly has a simple life rule.

鈥淓veryone should treat every person with the respect no matter their race, ethnicity or gender,鈥 the biomedical sciences major said. 鈥淓veryone deserves an equal opportunity to be successful.鈥 

Reese, a secondary education major, has been a leader of social inequities during her time at South and serves as vice president for the University South Alabama chapter of the NAACP.

鈥淚 believe to see the more progressive world I deeply desire; it is very important that I use my voice and inspire others to use theirs to stand up to any injustices they may face. We are the change,鈥 she said.

The 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile, in partnership with the University, established the Leadership in Social Justice and Perseverance Scholarship in 2020 with an initial gift of $10,000 to remember all of those who have fallen to systems of oppression and injustice. 

The award is in addition to the 100 Black Men 91短视频 Scholars of Perseverance and Social Justice, a full-tuition scholarship for an incoming freshman.

鈥淭he three women who were selected for the scholarship were just outstanding,鈥 said Dr. Andre Green, president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile. 鈥淭he committee was impressed by all three young women and thus decided to award them all.鈥 

To date, the University has raised more than $140,046 for the scholarship with donations from Alabama Power Foundation, Hancock Whitney Bank, AT&T Foundation, University administrative leaders and many individuals. The Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative, which matches donations dollar for dollar, brings that total to $280,092. 

Find out how to support this initiative here. 

Or contact the Office of Development at 251-460-7032.

To apply for this scholarship log on to JagSPOT using your J-number and JagMail password.


Share on Social Media

Archive Search

Latest University News