The Links Honors 25 Black Seniors With College Scholarships
As Jewel Kelley sees it, the time has come to change the image of black men in America.
“We, as a black women’s group, see the desperate need to help African-American young males try to get a head start,” said Kelley, a member of the San Diego chapter of The Links Inc., a nonprofit group committed to educational, cultural and civic projects.
“We want to look at them as being analytically savvy,” Kelley said. “Rather than the typical stereotype of television and the movies that always portrays black males as criminals, misfits or just in general bad guys.”
Toward accomplishing her goal, Kelley joined other Links members on Sunday at the sixth annual “Affair of Honor” luncheon where 25 outstanding African-American high school seniors were awarded $27,000 in college scholarships.
High school counselors from throughout San Diego County recommended students for the scholarships, based on their academic, sports and arts achievements, Kelley said. Those selected will receive the one-time scholarships and also attend a six-month leadership program.
Of the 117 students who have received scholarships from The Links over the last five years, 114 are now enrolled in college and two have entered graduate programs, Kelley said.
This year’s achievers include:
Everett Alexander, La Jolla Country Day School; Ashinka Barnett, Crawford High School; Jason Boykin, Gompers Secondary; Llewellyn Burns, Hoover High School; Harold Cox Jr., Lincoln Preparatory; David Cunningham, Point Loma High School; Larry Edwards II, Chula Vista High School; Cedric P. Garner, San Diego High School; Hollis Gentry IV, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts; Derrick Harris, Crawford High School; Jacques Harris, Montgomery High School and Devin Henderson of Clairemont High School.
Also: Anthony Lindsey, Sweetwater High School; Bryan J. Loyce, Point Loma High School; Brandon Mosley, Morse High School; Kadir Nelson, Crawford High School; Kevon O’Bee, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts; Wynter Phoenix, Grossmont High School; Gerald Rhoden, Bonita Vista High School; Davin Ross, University City High School; Charles St. Hill, University of San Diego High School; Rashaan Salaam, La Jolla Country Day School; Gary Taylor, Morse High School; Damion Victor, Kearny High School and Tarik Williams, Rancho Bernardo High School.