North Hills Ebony Women Inc. will host its annual scholarship reception at 3 p.m. June 23 at La Roche University’s Zappala Campus Center in McCandless.
The occasion celebrates the achievements of Black high school and college students who have been awarded academic scholarships by NHEW.
Since its founding in 1979, NHEW has been dedicated to recognizing and promoting African-American identity, heritage, education and unity. The organization provides vital support and services to the community, with a strong emphasis on educational advancement through its scholarship program.
The program offers scholarships to Black high school students from the Pittsburgh Public Schools and North Hills area school districts, as well as college students from La Roche University. The Norma Jean Ware Duncan and North Hills Ebony Women Inc. Scholarships have had a profound impact on the lives of numerous students and young professionals across the country.
The keynote speaker on June 23 is Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, a board-certified pediatrician and the medical director of Prehospital and EMS at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She has a career in pediatric emergency medicine and has made significant contributions to the development of educational curriculums for EMS personnel.
Owusu-Ansah is also a prominent advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, having co-authored several anti-racism statements and serving in leadership roles on national committees. Her inspiring journey and achievements in the medical field and advocacy work make her an exemplary role model for NHEW’s 2024 scholarship recipients:
• Andrea Edwards recently graduated from Pittsburgh Westinghouse. She plans to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the fall as a nursing major. Andrea achieved a 3.6 GPA while working as a cashier at a local eatery and participating in extracurricular activities such as cheerleading, and serving on the Superintendent Student Advisory Council and as a Pittsburgh Promise Ambassador.
Andrea has a keen ability to analyze and make connections between complex concepts effectively and eloquently. It was her dedication, executive leadership skills and focus that lead to a perfect attendance award and being named to the high honor roll.
• Janiya Walker is a graduate of Pittsburgh Obama Academy of International Studies. Her consistent academic excellence is evidenced by her 3.6 GPA and placement in the top one-fourth of her class.
Janiya has demonstrated her outstanding leadership capabilities consistently throughout her time at Pittsburgh Obama while serving as captain of the cheerleading squad and as a member of a competitive dance team. She participated in many extracurricular activities, such as African-American History Bowl and Delta Gems.
She showed her initiative through her volunteerism at Saved by Grace Church and as a teacher volunteer at her school. Janiya will be attending Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black Colleges and Universities, in the fall and was awarded the Provost’s Scholarship for her academic excellence. She will major in business finance with plans to open her own nail school.
• Kamili Wiley is a graduate of Winchester Thurston School, where she took an interest in the medical field. Her high school transcript evidences a steady progression in course difficulty and rigor, yet she managed to earn a GPA of just over 3.5.
She was the consummate student athlete, leading the Black Student Union and serving as captain of the track and field team. Kamili was deeply involved and committed to the Winchester Thurston community through service as a student ambassador and in other roles. In addition, she has held service industry jobs.
Kamili conducted various research projects with UPMC and was selected as a Fund for the Advancement of Minorities through Education Scholar and a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy Scholar. She accepted a merit scholarship and will attend Claflin University in South Carolina, majoring in industrial engineering.
• Mackenzie Primer is a graduate of Pine-Richland High School with a 3.5 GPA. She served in numerous leadership positions, including president of the Black Student Union and vice president of For the Kids.
She balanced her education, volunteerism and work through positions working at an eatery, serving in executive positions in Jack and Jill of Pittsburgh and National Charity League, and volunteering at the Light of Life Rescue Mission.
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Mackenzie consistently challenges herself, as evidenced by her award of a National Merit Scholar and her position in Honors Orchestra. She plans to attend Duquesne University and major in biology on the pre-med track.
For more information about the event or to RSVP, contact Jenyce Woodruff at Jenyce.woodruff@gmail.com or 412-414-4343.