Photos from the 2024 African American Graduation Awards Ceremony
Celebrating the academic achievements of African American Students since 1980
Photos from the 2023 African American Graduation Awards Ceremony
Donate to
Give a Memorial Scholarship or
Boost the Scholarship Fund
Submit your list of Scholarship Recipients Online HERE
Community Awards (Option B) - you decide who to award a scholarship to and celebrate them at the Annual African American Graduation Awards Program
CLICK HERE to download the form to mail in your Memorial Scholarship donation and information or your Community Award (Option B) information
SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
Scholarships to High School graduates are awarded based on the following criteria:
Submission of a complete book scholarship application packet. Packet must include completed application, personal essay, sealed letters (2) of recommendation and an official transcript.
Successful review of the application packet for significant achievement in one or more areas including: grade point average, school leadership activities, community service participation or athletic competition. There is also consideration of financial need.
Submission of receipt for payment in 12 or more college units. Registration must be completed within the first semester after high school graduation.
High School students nominated for a book scholarship must meet all of the above criteria. In the event a student fails to meet any of the criteria for the award (e.g. submitting proof of registration in college), the award remains in the scholarship fund to be awarded in a subsequent year.
The Foundation partners with Community Donors who wish to give scholarships to deserving high school students. Some Community Donors give funds to The Foundation for scholarship distribution while others give directly to the student.
ABOUT the Annual African American Graduation Awards
The African American Graduation Awards program is a celebration of High School and Eighth Grade graduates in Kern County.
High School graduates are presented with book scholarships from our Scholarship Fund as well as Memorial Scholarships from the public. Churches and other organizations are also invited to recognize their scholarship recipients during this program.
Eighth Grade graduates are presented with certificates of recognition. These are honor roll students who were recommended to the program by their middle school principals and counselors.
The annual scholarship application is available online at www.gradawards.org
