NAACP and Walmart Announce Scholarships to Create Educational Pathways for Formerly Incarcerated Citizens
NAACP will offer the scholarships in the form of twenty $5,000 awards for a total of $100,000
Washington, D.C. – NAACP is proud to announce its partnership with Walmart to provide the Empowering a Better Tomorrow scholarship in the form of twenty $5,000 awards for a total of $100,000. The first of its kind between the two organizations, the scholarships will assist in creating pathways for those formerly incarcerated or those who have recently been convicted and have completed their sentence. Individuals best positioned to receive the scholarship will exhibit qualities of leadership, commitment to improving society, and a desire to give back to their community.
"The potential of our nation lies within the people and the promise of life and liberty," said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP. "Our partnership aims to curtail recidivism while providing support to formerly incarcerated individuals. We must offer a roadmap to those that are seeking to contribute to society in a meaningful way."
The NAACP recognizes the intentional and overdue support needed for formerly incarcerated citizens to thrive. This partnership delivers against the organization's mission to secure all persons' political, educational, social, and economic equality. It is well-documented that a lack of support systems for the formerly incarcerated has contributed to long-term unemployment, recidivism, and a host of other systemic issues. The work of the NAACP aims to shine a spotlight on the growing need for society to reevaluate our approach to the treatment of those formerly incarcerated and all other persons that have been marginalized.
"The challenges returning citizens of color face when furthering their education and careers can feel insurmountable," said Regine Moore, Director, Constituent Relations, Walmart. "This scholarship was created to aid and give hope in overcoming barriers. There is so much more that needs to be done to provide support to this community, and this is a worthy step towards helping them reach their goals."
Applications for the scholarships will open on December 9, 2021, and close on May 21, 2022. Eligibility requirements can be found on the application portal. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure applications are received within the submission timeframe.
###
About NAACP
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the country, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.
For more information, please visit naacp.org or follow us on Instagram @naacp.