Photo via: Coachella
To complement her tribute to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) during her historic performance as the first Black woman to headline Coachella, Beyoncé announced the Homecoming Scholars Award Program for HBCUs on Monday.
Through her BeyGOOD initiative, one qualifying student from Wilberforce University, Tuskegee University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Bethune-Cookman will receive $25,000 for the upcoming academic school year of 2018-2019.
Following the announcement, the singer’s mother Tina Knowles-Lawson wrote in an Instagram post, “I told Beyoncé that I was afraid that the predominately white audience at Coachella would be confused by all of the Black culture and Black college culture because it was something that they might not get. Her brave response to me made me feel a bit selfish and ashamed. She said I have worked very hard to get to the point where I have a true voice and at this point in my life and my career I have a responsibility to do whats best for the world and not what is most popular.
She said that her hope is that after the show young people would research this culture and see how cool it is, and young people Black and white would listen to LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING and see how amazing the words are for us all and bridge the gap. She also hopes that it will encourage young kids to enroll in our amazing Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I stand corrected.”
Last year, the singer celebrated the first year anniversary of her landmark visual album, “Lemonade,” by establishing a merit scholarship program called “Formation Scholars.” The scholarship was awarded to four young women pursuing degrees in music, literature, the creative arts or African American studies at Howard University, Spelman College, Berklee College of Music, and Parsons School of Design.
For the Homecoming Scholars Award Program, applicants must be studying literature, creative arts, African American studies, science, education, business, communications, social sciences, computer science, and/or engineering. They must also keep a 3.5 GPA. The selected schools will provide further details on how eligible students can apply.
Beyoncé, thank you for continuously using your platform to pay it forward and celebrate Black culture and excellence.