The Educating Young Minds’ 2013 Scholarship Awards Gala recently honored 17 college-bound high school graduates with scholarships totaling more than $200,000. They are joining over 50 EYM alumni now in college. The event took place during the BET weekend on June 29th, 2013 at the LAX Marriott Hotel. Educating Young Minds’ Programs and the scholarship awards dinner and gala are supported by Toyota, Nestle, City National Bank, CVS, Edison, Union Bank and many others.
The event was an empowering and inspirational show that not only awarded collegiate scholarships but empowered other young people in the audience with revealing stories that captured the challenges and obstacles these students have overcome. The gala was directed and produced by film, television & theatrical star Obba Babatunde.
The high school seniors that were honored at this year’s gala included: Qaasimah Alexis, Darnell Cates, Esther Clement, Selasie De-Souza, Seynabou Diop, Zachy Ezedin, Amir Farah, Ruta Gebreyesus, Erin Jackson, Chynna Jones, Justin McCartney, Yasmin Mohamed, Taylor Onouye, Joaquin Ramirez, Anthony Stidum, Shane Williams, and Usama Zaid.
The red carpet gala was attended by notable politicians, celebrities, corporate sponsors, parents, EYM Alumni and students. Attendees included Celleste Alleyne of Microsoft, Karen A. Clark of City National Bank, Quentin D. Strode of Strode and Associates Consulting, Millena Gay, Della Reese, Senator Curren Price, Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas and many others.
The Ray Charles / Educating Young Minds Enrichment and Learning Program serves as one of the most astute educational after school tutoring programs in the nation. To date 94% of EYM’s students have graduated from 4-year collegiate institutions such as USC, UC Berkeley, Spelman, Morehouse, UC Irvine, UCLA, Stanford, Columbia (N.Y.) and 4% have graduated from 2 year institutions and programs. Educating Young Minds has supported more than 3500 students, parents and their families with tutorial support and outreach programs for more than 26 years. To qualify for the scholarship program students must be enrolled in the Ray Charles / Educating Young Minds Enrichment and Learning Program.
For more information about the scholarship program & requirements to attend Educating Young Minds, please visit: www.educatingyoungminds.org or call their office at (213) 487-2310.