Lincoln Foundation’s Whitney M. Young Scholars Senior Banquet Celebration 

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Academic achievement and opportunity took center stage this weekend as dozens of Louisville-area students were recognized for an extraordinary milestone. 

The Lincoln Foundation hosted the 31st Annual Whitney M. Young Scholars Senior Scholarship Banquet on Saturday, May 16th at Bellarmine University’s Frazier Hall. 

The event honored 24 graduating high school seniors who completed a rigorous five-year college-preparatory program—and together, they earned an impressive $11,852,057 in scholarships and awards. 

Among those honors, 11 students secured scholarship packages exceeding $500,000, with three scholars earning more than $1 million each — a testament to their academic dedication and perseverance. 

The evening brought together education leaders, community supporters, and elected officials. U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey attended and presented a congressional proclamation recognizing both the scholars and the program’s long-standing impact on expanding college access. 

A highlight of the banquet was the live unveiling of $106,000 in additional scholarships, awarded as surprises to the scholars during the ceremony. That included the prestigious Dr. Samuel Robinson Award of Excellence, a $40,000 scholarship package supporting tuition, technology, and study-abroad opportunities. 

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Aaron Thompson, President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, who emphasized that earning a college degree extends beyond career preparation—helping foster lifelong learning, personal growth, and stronger communities across Kentucky. 

Organizers said the annual banquet served as more than a celebration—it demonstrated the powerful results of sustained investment in students and their futures. 

The Whitney M. Young Scholars Program continues to serve as a powerful model for expanding college access and helping students succeed long after high school. 

TheVIPPReport: Louisville Native George T. French, Jr., President of Clark Atlanta University, to speak at the Louisville UNCF Luncheon honoring Alice and Wade Houston and give a full scholarship to a high school senior in Louisville

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George T. French, Jr., graduate of Trinity High School and the University of Louisville and now the President of Clark Atlanta University is coming to Louisville to help Mayor Fischer honoring Wade and Alice Houston for all their years of dedicated service to the UNCF (United Negro College Fund).

To help celebrate the event and especially the Houstons, President French will provide a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta University for the Fall 2023.

For upcoming high school seniors, please submit a one pager (no more than 500 words) on why you want to attend Clark Atlanta University and why community service is so important to your educational experience.

The HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Clark Atlanta University initiatives include:

·Innovative research to help cure prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s

·Create new solutions in cybersecurity

·Accelerate new avenues of entrepreneurship

·Opportunities in finding new ways to eradicate social and racial injustices 

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) was the nation’s first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans and was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. Today, with over 4000 students, representing 9 countries, CAU is the largest of the four institutions (CAU, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine) that comprise the Atlanta University Center Consortium. Clark Atlanta University is also the largest of the 37-member United Negro College Fund (UNCF) institutions.

Clark Atlanta University continues a 150-year legacy rooted in African American tradition while focusing on the future through global innovation, transformative educational experiences and high-value engagement.

CAU Programs Include:

•The only Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development of its kind

•A Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development

•An Institute for Civic Engagement, Social Justice & Leadership Institute

•The W.E.B. Du Bois Southern Center for Studies in Public Policy

•A Center for Workforce Development

•A program in Cyber Physical Systems

•39 undergraduate programs, 28 graduate programs, 9 doctoral programs

“I am proud of my Louisville legacy – being born and raised with my sisters, graduating from Trinity High School and then from the crown jewel of the city – the University of Louisville. Now, as the President of the largest College Fund school – Clark Atlanta University, I want to provide an opportunity for a 2023 high school graduate – a future innovator, entrepreneur, C-Suite Executive through a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta University.”

For upcoming high school seniors, please submit a one pager (no more than 500 words) on why you want to attend Clark Atlanta University and why community service is so important to your educational experience.

For interviews with President French: sshanklin@vippcommunications.com

Please send your 500-word essay to: Rohena@nichemktg.com

The VIPP Report: Miss USA Deshauna Barber will be in Louisville to speak at Black Achievers Celebration

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By Sherlene M. Shanklin

With scholarship as their main objective, the Chestnut Street Family YMCA Black Achievers program announces their keynote speaker for their 41st celebration.

Miss USA 2016 DeShauna Barber will be the keynote speaker.  The U.S. Army Reserve Captain will motivate young aspiring leaders to stay disciplined as they follow their dreams even when there’s a hardship not to stop trying to reach their goals.

Youth Achiever of the Year is Tajalia Tillman who attends DuPont Manual High School.

The 41st YMCA Black Achievers Celebration will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at the Galt House Hotel at 5:30pm.  Tickets are $100 per person and they can be purchases and the Chestnut Street YMCA or by emailing ljohnson@ymcalouisville.org.

The YMCA Black Achievers Program includes events such as Spring Break College Tours, Community Service Projects, Leadership training, ACT workshops, college & career fairs plus much more.

I have the great honor of announcing the scholarships and institutions they plan to attend.  For many families, this will be the first time they will hear the school and the amount of scholarship money their child will receive.  It’s truly an exciting moment and I have to say that when I received the long list of names and the amount of money they will get in scholarships it’s super impressive and I can only imagine what their families will feel on Saturday.

Congratulations to the scholars of the Chestnut Street Family YMCA Black Achievers.  Our future is in great hands with your leadership.