The Memorial Foundation, in partnership with several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), announced more than $1 million in scholarship awards at its Fourth Annual Global Youth Leadership Conference (GYLC) in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Launched in 2021, the GYLC-Bahamas is intended to connect high achieving international students with college opportunities at our nation’s beloved HBCUs. This year’s event, hosted on the campus of the University of The Bahamas, welcomed an in-person and virtual audience of more than 500 juniors and seniors for the day-long summit.
To assist us in bringing the HBCU Experience to The Bahamas, we partnered with Clinton College (Rock Hill, South Carolina), Florida Memorial University (Miami Gardens, Florida), Harris-Stowe State University (St. Louis, Missouri), Morris Brown College (Atlanta, Georgia), and Philander Smith University (Little Rock, Arkansas).
Represented by their Presidents and senior leadership, these institutions provided a glimpse into the transformational academic and engagement opportunities HBCUs have to offer. From on-the-spot admissions and scholarship awards to highlighting the uniqueness of HBCU campus life and culture, the beauty and competitiveness of the HBCU Experience was on full display.
In addition to the collegiate session, the conference also featured several local speakers, including The Honorable Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technological and Vocational Training, as well as Sir Franklyn Wilson, Chairman of Sunshine Holdings Limited (SHL). Also joining the esteemed cohort of speakers was Mr. Rasheem Rooke with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), who provided important linkages for international students who are seeking philanthropic support for study at HBCUs. While not represented in person, scholarships and admission opportunities were also offered from Benedict College (Columbia, South Carolina),
LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis, Tennessee), Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), and Wiley University (Marshall, Texas).