The Rashawn Brazell Memorial Scholarship
Empowering the Next Generation of Scholars and Activists
The Rashawn Brazell Memorial Scholarship aims to provide a sustainable tribute to Rashawn Brazell, a 19-year-old Brooklyn native who was brutally murdered in February 2005. With each year the award is offered, we encourage a new wave of New York City high school students to reflect upon Brazell’s legacy of selfless service and to think critically about the impact of intolerance and violence on their communities.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to a college-bound student of color who resides in New York City. Although the award is not need-based, it is need-sensitive, meaning we strongly encourage applications from students who experience financial hardship. The scholarship is available to high school seniors, recently graduated students (within 1 year of graduation) and recent GED attainees (within 1 year) who have been accepted to an accredited undergraduate program. Immigration status will not impact an applicant's eligibility.
Selection will be based on the student's interest in the struggle against racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression, as well as their commitment to creating peace in the community by affirming and celebrating diversity.
Scholarship Features:
Scholarship winners will receive a one-time award of $1500 in the summer prior to their freshman year. Because this award is paid directly to the selected scholar, the student (and his/her family) may decide to apply it to tuition, living costs, books or other college-related expenses.
In addition to the monetary award, selected scholars also have the opportunity to be paired with a RBMS mentor. Throughout the year, mentors and students maintain regular contact to establish an ongoing dialogue about how to face the challenges that students often encounter in their community service and scholarly pursuits. Moreover, mentors provide emotional support at a crucial time in the lives of our scholars, as they begin to develop both their professional and personal visions.
Scholarship Details:
Applications must be postmarked by June 15, 2009.
Late applications will not be considered.
PDF Files available for download:
- Application Form: Click to download
For information on how to become a Mentor, click here.