Community Scholars for Black Lives Fellowship Program

Four scholars in chapel

Inspired by the challenge from North Central University to establish a George Floyd Memorial Scholarship, Cal Lutheran created the Community Scholars for Black Lives Fellowship Program to empower students to work in tandem with community leaders and create conditions for Black lives to flourish.

Through the Community Scholars for Black Lives Fellowship Program, a small cohort of Cal Lutheran students will be engaged in work that embodies progress toward a just society in which African Americans do not bear the brunt of racist structures and systems. The program features scholarship, mentorship and community engagement.

Note: This scholarship is contingent on California Lutheran University receiving grant funding from AMGEN Foundation.

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If you would like to make a gift to support this scholarship, you can give online to our fund.

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Program Benefits and Expectations

By becoming a Community Scholar for Black Lives, students gain access to a number of valuable benefits.

$5,000 Fellowship Scholarship Award
Mentorship from faculty
Engagement in organizations focused on African American progress

Travel funds to attend conference
Project budget up to $1,000
Recognition as Community Scholar

Scholar Expectations

Community Scholars for Black Lives are engaged in the following activities from September through April:

Orchestrate a project that illuminates the issues of systemic racism and/or social structures that perpetuate oppression while posing potential solutions to these problems through projects that engage the Cal Lutheran and/or Ventura County community. Project ideas include: Research paper, Community Forum, Speaker Series, Visual or Performing Arts, Educational Tour, Website, Film, Book Club.
Periodically meet with mentors for guidance on project
Participate in discussions and activities intended to increase understanding of issues impacting Black communities (i.e., community roundtable, contributions to Black Lives resource list)
Present oral reports of project outcomes at Cal Lutheran and at least one community forum
Attend NAACP, NUL, CORE or CBCF conference
Attend and be recognized during Cal Lutheran’s Black Culmination Celebration

About the Program

On May 25, 2020, the world witnessed the modern-day lynching of a Black man. His name, George Floyd, has been added to a litany of names of people who encountered similar fates. Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Rashard Brooks, Sandra Bland, Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin and Meagan Hockaday are among the numerous Black lives lost to the use of deadly force by police and racially motivated acts of violence, oftentimes with no criminal repercussion.

The year 2020 brought the issue of race to the forefront on many different levels. As students, you witnessed or heard about racial slurs and derogatory depictions of Black people on our own campus and, while amid working toward making Cal Lutheran a more welcoming place, the horrendous killing of George Floyd by police reminded us all of the gravity of racism in the U.S. In response, millions of people have taken to the streets to rally for change, yet the number of people who lack understanding about the inequities confronted by Black people is daunting. Of those who do understand the issues, many feel helpless or hopeless. So where do we go from here?

Community Scholars for Black Lives Fellowship Program Goals

Immerse students in activities and experiences designed to increase knowledge and strengthen skills toward improving the fate of the Black community
Creatively raise awareness, educate and train students and community members about systems and structures in need of change in order to alleviate oppression of Black people
Increase interracial understanding and cooperation toward a just society for all, with an emphasis on justice for Black people

2022-23 Community Scholars for Black Lives Cohort

Rakaihya Thomas

Rakaihya Thomas is a senior majoring in biology. Her project is “A Panel Discussion on Black Maternal Health,” which aims to educate and acknowledge bias for Black women throughout their maternal health journey. She is holding a panel discussion that delves into patient experience, community involvement and clinical care. Rakaihya hopes to invoke conversation and inspire aspiring and known health care professionals on medical racism, especially with Black women.

Elul Nedi

Elul Nedi is a senior majoring global studies. Her project is a series of three forums focusing on “Intersectionality in Black Excellence.” Elul’s three forums specialize in intersectionality in Black entrepreneurship, Black healthcare careers and Black international students. The goal of her project is to provide a diverse perspective on the values of different stereotypes and the diverse intersectionality of Black culture in the United States.

Adgbemisola (Gbemi) Abon

Gbemi Abon

Gbemi Abon is senior majoring in communications with minors in psychology and Christian leadership. Her project “Bridging the Gap” aims to give Black Americans an opportunity to feel connected to their African roots and investigates how not knowing where Black Americans came from in Africa has impacted them. Gbemi also is researching how the Black and African communities treat one another. Her work highlights the importance of identity and explores whether knowing one's ancestral background impacts one's mental well-being.

Valerie Salazar

Spotlights On Our Scholars

How to Become a Community Scholar for Black Lives

Student Eligibility

Open to Cal Lutheran undergraduate and graduate students with at least one year of studies left prior to graduation
Must be at least a sophomore during program year
Must have a GPA of 3.0 or above
Must demonstrate evidence of interest in equity and justice: major or minor discipline, community service, demonstrated involvement in organizations focused on advancing racial justice or specifically focused on progress for African Americans

Steps to Apply

Submit an application with a Statement of Purpose and Project Proposal attached (see Additional Instructions below for details)
Send a Cal Lutheran transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
Upload a Recommendation Letter

Submit Your Application

Important Dates

Date	Event
April 21, 2023 at 4 p.m. (Mandatory)	Application Webinar RSVP here
May 15, 2023	Application Period Opens
June 18, 2023	Application Priority Deadline
Accepting Applications for Fall 2023	Current Program Term

Applicant Review Criteria

The student’s motivation to become a Community Scholar for Black Lives is alignment with the purpose of the program (statement of purpose).
The proposed project advances the goals of the Community Scholars for Black Lives Program.
The project is clearly explained.
The need for the project is clearly established with evidence.
Project activities and related work are realistic and achievable.
The timetable for major activities is realistic and likely to be attained.
The budget is realistic.
Applicant is competent to carry out the project (academic achievement, educational background, experience).
The letter from a faculty member strongly supports the student’s capacity and interest to achieve the goals of the Community Scholars for Black Lives Program.
The essay and proposal are free from distracting errors.

Additional Instructions

Statement of Purpose

Write a single essay addressing the following prompts. Limit your statement to a maximum of three double-spaced pages, with 1-inch margins. Use Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point font.

Share your educational background, involvement in campus organizations and community activities.
What motivated you to apply to the Community Scholars for Black Lives program? Discuss how your participation in the program will help you achieve your goals.
Describe your preparation for participation in the Community Scholars for Black Lives program as it relates to your education and experience.
Discuss how the purpose of the Community Scholars for Black Lives program resonates with your own experiences or observations concerning issues disparately impacting Black communities, systemic oppression and racism.

Project Proposal

Limit your project proposal to a maximum of five double-spaced pages, with 1-inch margins. Use Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point font.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Summarize the purpose of your project.
1. What are the goals and objectives of the project?
2. What are the outcomes (intended results) of the project?

NEED STATEMENT

Why is there a need for this project?
1. Include evidence/data that supports your statement of need.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Provide a description of the project.
1. Describe the features of the project.
2. Who is the intended audience?
3. What is the timeline for major milestones in the planning and implementation of the project?
Capacity
1. What experience do you have with carrying out such a project?

BUDGET

Include a line-item budget for your project.
1. Show how you arrive at your costs.

Recommendation Letter

Submit one letter of recommendation from a Cal Lutheran faculty member.

Contact your letter writer, and tell the faculty member that you will be applying to the Community Scholars for Black Lives program (this should be your first step toward completing your application, thereby giving your recommender ample time to write your letter).
Send the name, email, title and department of your letter writer to blacklivesscholars@callutheran.edu. In your subject line write: Reference Submission for (your name).
We will send your letter writer an email with the instructions for writing and submitting your letter.
Make sure you provide us with the name and email address of your recommender as soon as you begin your application.

Questions? Email us today and we would be happy to assist you.

Past Cohorts of Community Scholars for Black Lives

2021-22

Teketa Bellamy

Teketa Bellamy

Jaden Lyons

Jaden Lyons

Sloan Sanders

Sloan Sanders

Sarah Wells

Sarah Wells

2020-21

Emozino Ayetuoma

Emozino Ayetuoma

Landry Irumva

Landry Irumva

Elysia Williams

Elysia Williams

Thank You to Our Community Partners

Cal Lutheran has partnered with six organizations based in Ventura County that focus on the advancement of African Americans. Representatives from each organization will weigh in on the selection of scholars and will participate as advisers to the scholars. The Community Scholars for Black Lives program will further permeate the community as each organization awards scholarships to college-bound high school seniors. Partner organizations are: