HBCU Commission on Scholarships and Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rdevia Celebrates HBCU Scholarship Growth and Honors the HBCU Commission for Volunteering to Advance HBCU Success

Today, Rdevia proudly celebrates the people working behind the scenes who make our mission possible.

This year, Rdevia experienced extraordinary growth in scholarship applications. Last year, we received 25 applications. This year, we received 465 — a nearly nineteenfold increase! That growth tells a powerful story: more students are looking to HBCUs as places of purpose, possibility, and preparation. It also reminds us that the need for scholarship support continues to rise.

To meet this moment, Rdevia relied on dedicated volunteers who believe deeply in our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders and preserving the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. That is where our HBCU Commission on Scholarships and Awards stepped forward.

This remarkable group of volunteers represents a wide range of fields, including education, local government, nonprofit leadership, healthcare, and law. Together, they reviewed scholarship applications with care, thoughtfulness, and a shared commitment to identifying deserving students who reflect the promise and power of the HBCU community.

In addition to reviewing scholarship applications, the Commission also reviewed nominations for Rdevia’s first-ever HBCU Community Star Awards, created to celebrate HBCU students, graduates, and advocates who are making a meaningful difference in South Florida and beyond.

While the HBCU Community Star Awards are rooted in South Florida, Rdevia’s scholarship opportunities reached far beyond the region. This year, Rdevia received applications from students across 29 states, Washington, D.C., and Ontario, Canada.

“This year’s growth is exciting but it also tells the truth plainly: students want to go to HBCUs but they need help,” said Marquise M. McGriff, M.A., CCSP, Founder. “We have students across the country and beyond reaching out for support. In order to meet that need, it's going to take more of the community coming together.”

Rdevia is deeply grateful to its scholarship benefactors:

• Jeffrey E. Pierce, II, M.S., the benefactor of the Parallel Inception Grant for Leadership

• Dr. E. Renee Posey, the benefactor of the Dr. E. Posey Award of Excellence

• Deon Rhode, M.P.H., the benefactor of the Epic HBCU Journey Distance Learning Scholarship

We also thank our donors, whose generosity makes our general scholarships possible.

The organization is also thankful to the HBCU Commission on Scholarships and Awards for giving their time, energy, and wisdom to this important work.

“The volunteers on our HBCU Commission showed up with care, commitment, and a genuine belief in our students,” said Laurelle Davis, M.A., LMFT, Program Coordinator. “Reading hundreds of applications is no small task but they answered the call with grace and purpose. We are thankful for their service, and as this work continues to grow, we know there is room for even more people to join us in carrying the mission forward.”

This tremendous growth is both exciting and humbling. It affirms what Rdevia has always believed: HBCUs remain vital, relevant, and deeply needed. It also reminds us that students are dreaming boldly, but many still need financial support to turn those dreams into reality.

Behind every scholarship is a student with a dream. Behind every award is a story worth honoring. And behind this work is a community of people who believe that HBCU success deserves to be celebrated, supported, and sustained.

To learn more about the HBCU Commission, visit: rdevia.org/hbcu-commission

Winners of our HBCU Scholarships and HBCU Community Awards will be announced on Saturday, August 1 at our signature HBCU Scholarship Brunch and Community Awards: "Dew in the Morning." Purchase your tickets for Dew in the Morning at bit.ly/m/rdevia

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ABOUT RDEVIA

Rdevia (arr-deh-vee-uh) is a Public Charitable 501(C)(3) Nonprofit Organization that connects HBCU Students, Graduates, and Professionals to opportunities and resources. Rdevia was founded on March 5, 2015 by Marquise M. McGriff, M.A., CCSP, during his first year as a student at Florida Memorial University. Rdevia is fueled by the generosity of its Members, Leaders, Friends. Connect with Rdevia on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and LinkedIn.