This week, 2x Super Bowl Champion and New Orleans Saints Safety MALCOLM JENKINS and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors participating in the Foundation’s Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S. program (Reinforcing Education With Activities, Recreation and Developmental Supports) in partnership with College Track New Orleans.
As part of the 10th annual Launch to College and Careers Ceremony, Malcolm Jenkins popped on screen during the virtual event to surprise this year’s graduating class, as well as personally announce the 2021 Malcolm Jenkins Scholars. The Foundation honored 12 of the 59 graduating seniors with a $2,000 scholarship toward financing their college education. In addition to the one-time scholarship, each winning scholar will also receive a gift box including a special I.M.P.A.C.T. Collection Bow Tie from Malcolm Jenkins’ custom clothing company, DAMARI, symbolizing the Foundation’s commitment to helping youth embrace their Individuality, be Motivated, have Purpose, Advocate, be Confident and Thrive. All 59 seniors at the celebration will receive a swag bag containing gifts from TMJF, and African Ancestry, to help students dive deeper into learning about their heritage.
Since 2012, the Foundation has partnered with College Track New Orleans through its Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S. program to increase high school graduation rates, college eligibility, enrollment and completion. Designed to prepare students in grades 9 - 12 for the next level, the program helps them learn essential life skills while receiving necessary resources for future success beyond high school. The program also gives students the opportunity to earn scholarships through participating in an application process. This year, TMJF added an essay question to its application asking students if they had their own community, how would they keep it safe and would they have a police force in that society? During the event, Jenkins acknowledged the scholars’ responses to these questions as each student brought forth their unique ideas and solutions from police reform to addressing mental health. Jenkins awarded David Garcia and Shaundrea Sylvester with a Microsoft Surface Pro for their extraordinary responses.
“For the past decade, we are proud of our partnership with College Track which has given us the opportunity to support these exceptional students on their journey by furthering their education at the college and university level. In addition to scholarships, The Malcolm Jenkins Scholars have access to resources such as college campus visits, care packages during their finals as well as internship opportunities,” said President and CEO of TMJF, Gwendolyn V. Jenkins.
In 2008, College Track expanded to New Orleans with an inaugural class of 50 freshmen. Today, more than 470 students are on the path to a four-year degree, making College Track New Orleans the largest completion program in the city. Through TMJF’s community partnership with College Track, more than $175,000 in scholarships have been awarded to date, alleviating the burden of costly expenses such as books, supplies and other fees that come with attending college or a university.
"In my capacity at College Track, I've had the privilege of watching hundreds of students turn their dreams of a college degree into a reality. It is truly an honor to be surrounded by such driven and talented students every day," said College Track’s New Orleans Site Director Clara Baron-Hyppolite.
TMJF remains steadfast in its commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of youth. In addition to the scholarships, the Foundation has funded out-of-state college tours, career exposure events, job networking workshops and supported college freshmen with final exam study baskets. Most recently, the Foundation launched a new initiative focused on financial freedom to aid in closing the racial wealth gap. As part of its continuous efforts and long-term commitment to empowering youth to own their future and set them on a path of financial freedom, the Foundation will open 1,000 savings accounts for students in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Louisiana.
The 2021 Malcolm Jenkins Scholars:
Academic Excellence
Ali Taher
Gabriell C. Jackson
Overcoming the Odds
Shaundrea M. Sylvester
Jase A. North
Jamal Wright
Angel D. Johnson
Alejandro Bailey
Dascia S. Cofield
Sabian R. Burke
Adia B. Gardiner
Jonah E. Ledet
David A. Garcia
