In partnership with the Gorge Community Foundation
Not many Black people live in rural Oregon. The 2022 census data indicates that Hood River County has 6% Black/African-American with even smaller numbers in other Columbia Gorge counties. Because of this, Black youth and families face particular challenges of isolation. There are few role models and and rarely, if ever, do students have the opportunity to have a Black teacher or connect with other Black people outside of their families, which is why BIG was created.
Juneteenth offered BIG the opportunity to fundraise and establish the first scholarship for Black, Black-biracial or Black-multiracial identifying youth or adults in the Gorge. High school graduates and community college students will be eligible to apply for the scholarship which can be used at colleges or trade schools.
CRITERIA
- Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
- Black-biracial or Black-multicultural identifying youth or adults
- Reside in the Columbia River Gorge Region
SUPPLEMENTAL
- Essay: 600—1000 word personal essay about how they identify in terms of race as well as how they have been contributing to their community and/or family.
